THE  LIBRARIES 


Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


Rev.  Henry  Crocker 

President  of  the  \'erniont  Baptist  Historical  Society 


HISTORY 


OF  THE 


Baptists  In  Vermont 


BY 

REV.  HENRY  CROCKER 


bellows  falls,  vt. 
The  p.  H.  Gobte  Ppess 


Copyrighted  1913 

by 

The  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention 


PREFACE 


"Other  men  labored  and  ye  are  entered  into  their  labors." 

The  importance  of  preserving  material  for  a  history  of  Ver- 
mont Baptists  was  recognized  by  a  few  persons  at  an  early  date. 
In  the  minutes  of  The  Shaftsbury  Association  of  1794,  is  this  note: 
"N.  B.  It  is  the  request  of  some  of  the  members  of  this  Associa- 
tion, that  the  several  Associations  with  whom  we  correspond  would 
print  their  annual  minutes  in  sizable  octavo.  By  this  we  judge  a 
valuable  end  might  be  answered;  by  being  all  of  one  size  they  might 
easily  be  reduced  to  a  volume,  without  any  expense;  being  ranged 
in  order  from  year  to  year,  and  bound  together,  they  will  naturally 
be  preserved.  The  various  circular  letters  they  contain  will  be 
richly  worthy  of  perusal  and  preservation;  they  will  contain  a  body 
of  divinity,  in  a  familiar  style  of  letter  writing.  This  method  fol- 
lowed a  few  years  will  produce  at  once  a  more  extensive  history, 
and  accurate  register  of  the  Baptists  in  America,  than  any  other. 
It  will  at  least  contain  particular  and  extensive  information,  for 
rising  generations,  without  any  expense  but  merely  the  care  of  pre- 
serving.    To  this  end  an  octavo  size  will  be  best. " 

Unfortunately  this  suggestion  as  to  uniformity  of  size  was  not 
heeded,  but  the  prediction  concerning  the  value  of  the  minutes  as 
sources  of  history  was  correct,  and  much  credit  is  due  those  who  pre- 
served the  minutes  and  to  others  who  have  collected  the  files  now 
available  for  reference  in  our  Historical  Societies.  For  many  years, 
however,  a  vast  amount  of  history  was  in  the  archives  of  the  peo- 
ple 's  memory,  and  much  has  been  lost,  for  lack  of  a  timely  historian. 

In  1841,  the  State  Convention  took  definite  steps  to  secure  a 
history  of  Vermont  Baptists.  Brethren  A.  Churchill,  D.  Haskall 
and  M,  Field  were  appointed  a  committee  for  this  purpose.  They 
reported  that  they  found  in  the  hands  of  Brother  Churchill  a  num- 


2  PREFACE 

ber  of  histories  of  the  churches,  but  not  in  condition  to  enable  them 
to  come  to  a  definite  conchision  on  the  subject  of  pubUcation, 
They  recommended  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to  receive 
further  communications  from  the  churches,  and  to  prepare  a  con- 
densed history,  to  be  inserted,  if  practicable,  in  The  Vermont  Gaz- 
eteer,  about  to  be  published  by  Mr.  Thompson  of  Burlington. 
Rev.  C.  A.  Thomas  was  appointed  chairman  of  this  committee 
and  instructed  to  prepare  the  article  for  the  Gazeteer.  During  the 
next  year  the  article  was  prepared  and  forwarded.  Mr.  Churchill 
reported  that  a  goodly  number  of  churches  had  made  returns,  yet 
there  were  several  from  which  no  returns  had  been  received. 
Brethren  A.  Churchill  and  C.  A.  Thomas  were  appointed  to  prose- 
cute the  work  of  collecting  the  history  of  the  Baptists,  with  in- 
structions to  report  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Convention. 

Near  the  close  of  the  session  in  1843,  a  box  was  presented  to 
the  Convention  from  Brother  A.  Churchill,  containing  copies  of  the 
minutes  of  the  several  Associations,  biographies  of  deceased  Bap- 
tist ministers,  histories  of  individual  churches  and  other  material 
which  he  had  collected  within  a  few  years  at  great  trouble  and  ex- 
pense, for  the  purpose  of  enabling  the  Convention  to  issue  a  full  and 
accurate  history  of  the  Baptists  of  Vermont. 

The  box  was  received  with  thanks,  and  a  committee  consisting 
of  C.  A.  Thomas,  B.  Brierly  and  one  other  was  appointed  to  examine 
the  material  and  see  what  could  be  done  to  arrange  it  for  the  press. 
The  committee  reported  the  material  worthy  of  preservation,  and 
recommended  that  a  committee  of  nine  persons,  one  from  each 
Association  in  the  State,  be  appointed  to  prepare  from  information 
already  collected  and  which  may  be  collected,  an  article  including 
the  histories  of  the  churches  in  his  ovm  Association,  together  with 
a  history  of  the  Association  itself.  These  articles  were  to  be  pre- 
pared and  handed  in  at  the  next  session  of  the  Convention.  An  able 
committee  was  appointed,  consisting  of  N.  Dennison,  L.  A.  Dunn, 
I.  Keach,  J.  Clement,  W.  M.  Guilford,  M.  G.  Hodge,  M.  D.  Miller, 
C.  W.  Hodges,  J.  M.  Rockwood.  This  committee  was  reappointed 
the  next  year  and  Brother  L.  Hayden  of  Saxtons  River  was  ap- 
pointed a  committee  of  oversight  of  the  whole,  during  the  year, 


PREFACE  3 

to  bring  together  the  whole  history  and  report  to  the  Convention. 

This  general  committee  failing  to  accomplish  the  work,  a  new 
committee  was  appointed  and  L.  Hayden  continued  as  a  committee 
of  oversight.  For  two  years  this  committee  simply  reported  pro- 
gress and  was  discharged. 

A  special  committee  then  made  the  following  report : 

"Whereas,  a  committee  of  this  body  has  been  annually  ap- 
pointed for  several  years  past  to  collect  materials  for  a  History  of 
the  Baptists  of  this  State  and,  whereas,  it  seems  from  reports  that 
nearly  all  has  been  done  by  way  of  such  committee  scattered 
through  the  different  Associations  as  can  be  expected;  and,  whereas, 
the  work,  if  published  at  all,  must  be  compiled,  not  only  from  ma- 
terial already  obtained,  but  from  additional  facts  obtained  per- 
sonally by  the  compiler;  therefore, 

"Resolved,  that  we  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  com- 
mittee of  three  located  conveniently  near  for  consultation  with  each 
other  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  procure  if  possible  some  person  com- 
petent to  take  the  manuscripts  already  prepared,  and  who  will  de- 
vote his  own  personal  attention  to  collecting  additional  facts,  and 
compiling  and  publishing  the  work  on  his  own  responsibility,  aided 
by  the  counsel  of  said  committee  in  the  discharge  of  his  responsible 
trust. 

"Resolved,  that  we  recommend  to  such  compiler  and  pub- 
lisher to  visit  most  of  the  churches  personally,  collecting  material 
for  the  history,  and  obtaining  subscribers  to  the  book  when  pub- 
lished. " 

These  resolutions  were  adopted,  and  A.  Sabin,  M.  G.  Hodge 
and  C.  A.  Thomas  were  appointed  the  committee.  The  committee 
failed  to  find  the  historian  able  and  willing  to  undertake  the  work. 
The  whole  subject  was  then  by  vote  referred  to  the  several  Associa- 
tions with  a  recommendation  that  they  severally  prepare  histories 
of  their  bodies,  and  publish  them  in  their  minutes.  Here  the  Con- 
vention rested  their  efforts  for  many  years.  The  Shaftsbury  As- 
sociation found  in  Stephen  Wright  a  historian  for  their  body,  and 
a  history  of  four  hundred  and  sixty-two  pages  octavo  was  pub- 
lished. From  time  to  time  church  histories  and  historical  ad- 
dresses  were   printed   in   the  minutes. 


4  PREFACE 

In  1868,  Rev.  Cyprian  Frenyear,  a  zealous  and  laborious  stu- 
dent of  Vermont  Baptist  history,  began  collecting  historical  ma- 
terial, and  it  was  his  ardent  desire  to  prepare  a  history  of  the  de- 
nomination in  the  State.  He  died  in  1876,  before  his  hopes  could  be 
realized. 

The  Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society  was  then  organized, 
and  purchased  of  Mrs.  Frenyear  the  collection  of  her  husband's 
papers.  William  Randall,  Charles  Hibbard,  R.  L.  Olds,  T.  H. 
Archibald,  S.  T.  Archibald  and  others  have  added  to  this  collection. 

Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald  was  the  next  to  undertake  the  production 
of  the  history.  He  was  recognized  by  the  Convention  as  its  his- 
torian and  a])propriation  was  made  to  compensate  him  for  work 
done.  He,  too,  passed  on  before  this  work  was  accomplished,  and 
the  work  of  revising  his  manuscripts  and  completing  the  history 
fell  to  his  son,  Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald,  who  died  in  1904,  also  leaving 
the  work  unfinished. 

The  Archibald  manuscripts  became  the  property  of  the  State 
Convention. 

It  was  at  this  point  that  the  work  of  the  editor  of  this  volume 
began.  Relieved  from  the  cares  of  a  pastorate,  he  volunteered  to 
prepare  the  Archibald  manuscripts  for  the  press,  supposing  that 
there  was  little  to  be  done  but  to  copy  pen  written  manuscripts 
upon  the  typewriter.  But  these  papers,  though  interesting  and  valu- 
able, were  found  to  be  far  from  complete,  and  the  publication  of 
them  as  a  history  of  Vermont  Baptists  would  have  proved  inade- 
quate and  unsatisfactory.  This  led  to  a  careful  examination  of 
the  accumulated  historical  material,  to  a  purpose  to  edit, 
and  publish  whatever  is  of  interest  and  value,  following  practically 
the  plan  proposed  bj^  Cyprian  Frenyear  as  outlined  in  the  minutes 
of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  in  1875.  Upon  the  announcement  of 
this  purpose,  the  Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society  appointed 
Rev.  Henry  Crocker,  Rev.  J.  R.  Gow,  D.  D.,  and  Hon.  W.  W. 
Stickney,  a  historical  committee,  and  at  the  request  of  the  histo- 
rical society  the  State  Convention  appointed  Willard  Crane,  Col. 
Silas  A.  Ilsley  and  Dr.  H.  M.  Holton  a  committee  to  cooperate 
with  the  above  named  committee  in  planning  for  the  publication 
of  the  history. 


PREFACE  5 

To  Rev.  W.  A.  Davison,  D.  D.,  secretary  of  the  Board  and 
superintendent  of  missions,  was  committed  the  problems  incident 
to  securing  sul)scriptions  and  funds  necessary  to  launch  the  work. 
At  his  suggestion,  several  brethren,  beside  the  joint  committee,  sub- 
scribed liberally  toward  the  cost  of  manuscript  and  publication. 

The  final  business  arrangements  were  committed  to  Mr.  Davi- 
son, Henry  Bond  and  the  editor,  Henry  Crocker., 

Someone  has  said,  "By  failures  we  may  estimate  difficulties. " 
If  it  had  been  an  easy  task  the  history  of  Vermont  Baptists  would 
have  been  written  long  ago.  Difficulty  has  long  defeated  desire. 
Great  credit  is  due  to  those  who,  wishing  to  publish  the  history,  col- 
lected a  great  amount  of  material  which  they  were  compelled  to 
pass  on  to  a  successor.  Three  names  are  worthy  of  special  honor 
in  this  connection:  Churchill,  Frenyear  and  Archibald.  The  little 
box  given  by  Churchill  to  the  Convention,  and  the  tin-lined  trunk 
containing  most  of  the  Frenyear  collection,  together  with  the  files 
of  minutes  carefully  collected  and  preserved  in  the  Historical  So- 
ciety's Ubrary,  have  l)een  the  mine  from  which  most  of  the  facts 
here  given  have  been  taken.  Some  of  the  narratives  are  given  as 
they  were  written  long  ago.  It  has  been  impossible  to  give  the  au- 
thority in  many  instances,  as  the  papers  are  unsigned,  and  it  has 
not  been  thought  necessary  in  other  cases  to  use  quotation  marks 
or  notes. 

It  is  a  satisf auction  to  know  that  facts  long  concealed  or  known 
to  but  few  can  now  be  known  by  many,  and  we  may  cherish  the 
hope  that  the  backward  look  will  incite  to  more  earnest  efforts 
for  the  upbuilding  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  among  the  Green 
Mountains  and  the  fertile  valleys  of  Vermont. 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  I. 


Chapter  II. 


Chapter  III. 


Chapter  IV. 


Chapter  V. 
Chapter  VI. 
Chapter  VII. 

Chapter  VIII. 
Chapter  IX. 

Chapter  X. 
Chapter  XI. 
Chapter  XII. 

Chapter  XIII. 
Chapter  XIV. 

Chapter  XV. 
Chapter  XVI. 

Chapter  XVII. 


Beginnings  west  of  the  Green  Moun- 
tains in  Shaftsbury,  Pownal  and 

Wallingford 13-33 

Shaftsburj'  Association,  and  Caleb 
Blood's  Account  of  his  Missionary 

Journey 35-54 

Itinerant  Missionaries  from  the 
Massachusetts  Baptist  Mission- 
ary Society  and  the  Maine  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Society 55-59 

Later  accounts  of  the  churches  in 
Shaftsbury,  PowTial  and  Walling- 
ford         61-69 

The  Vermont  Association 71-78 

Manchester  Association 79-00 

Other  churches  in  the  Vermont  and 

Shaftsburj^  Associations 81-118 

Addison  County  Association 119-13*2 

Churches  in  the  Addison  Associa- 
tion Group 133-159 

Revivals 161-171 

Ecclesiastical  Legislation 173-175 

Beginnings  east  of  the  Green  Moun- 

tams 177-184 

The  Windham  County  Association. .    185-194 
Later  Account  of  the  churches  in  the 

Windham  County  Association. . .  .    195-223 

The  Woodstock  Association 225-240 

Later  Account  of  the  Churches  in  the 

Woodstock  Association 241-283 

Barre  Association,  now  Central  Ver- 
mont As.sociation 285-311 


CONTENTS 


Chapter  XVIII.  Caledonia  and  Orleans  Counties, 
Danville      Association      and      its 

Churches 313-327 

Chapter  XIX.  Franklin    and    Lamoille    Counties, 

Pioneers  and  Early  Churches 327-341 

Chapter  XX.  Richmond,   Fairfield,   Onion   River, 

and  Lamoille  Associations 343-352 

Chapter  XXI.          Churches  of  the  Lamoille  Association  353-426 
Chapter  XXII.        Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention.   427-519 
Chapter  XXIII.      Education,    Ministerial    Education, 
Academies,  New  Hampton  Theolo- 
gical and  Literary  Institution 521-558 

Chapter  XXIV.       Sunday  School  \York 559-568 

Chapter  XXV.         Vermont  Baptist  Bible  Society 569-511 

Chapter  XXVI.       Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society.   573-574 
Chapter  XXVII.     Vermont    Baptist    Young    Peoples' 

Union 575-577 

Chapter  XXVIII.  Gifts  of  Vermont  Bapti.sts  to  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions.  Their  Mis- 
sionaries  

Chapter  XXIX.      Women's  Missionary  Societies,  Home 

and  Foreign 593-603 

Chapter  XXX.        Prominent  Laymen 599-603 

Chapter  XXXI.      The  Free  Baptist  in  Vermont 605 

Appendices  : 

Roll  of  Baptist  and  Free  Baptist  Churches  Chrono- 
logically Arranged 621 

Roll  of  Baptist  and  Free  Baptist  Churches  Alphabeti- 
cally Arranged 628 

List  of  Extinct  Churches  Chronologically  Arranged  632 

List  of  Extinct  Churches  Alphabetically    Arranged  634 

State  Convention  Compendium 639 

Vermont  Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention  Com- 
pendium   641 

Compendium  of  Shaftsbury  Association 642 

Compendium  of  Addison  Association 644 


8  CONTENTS 

Compendium  of  Vermont  Association 646 

Compendium  of  Woodstock  Association 647 

Compendium  of  Windham  County  Association 650 

Compendium  of  Vermont  Central  Association 651 

Compendium  of  Danville  Association 653 

Compendium  of  Lamoille  Association 655 

Appropriations  of  the  State  Convention  to  the  churches 

from  beginning  in  1824  to  1912 658 

Index 677 


LIST  OF   ILLUSTRATIONS 

Rev.  Henry  Crocker Frontispiece 

Shaftsbury  Baptist  Church 16 

Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald 67 

C.  A.  Thomas,  D.  D 89 

Dea.  E.  M.  Bixby 94 

Ilsley  Memorial  Baptist  Church 155 

Col.  S.  A.  Ilsley 160 

Rev.  Aaron  Leland 185 

Dea.  Jacob  Estey 207 

A.  B.  Clark 214 

Dr.  Henry  D.  Holton 224 

Dea.  B.  A.  Park 245 

Hon.  Fred  G.  Field 248 

O.  H.  Henderson 325 

Rev.  Alvah  Sabin 358 

Rev.  Ezra  Butler 390 

Hon.  Lawrence  Barnes 398 

Dea.  Willard  Crane 405 

David  G.  Crane 419 

Brandon  Baptist  Church 426 

Hon.  W.  W.  Stickney 455 

Howard  Crane 470 

William  A.  Davison,  D.  D 501 

Hon.  J.  J.  Estey 505 

Henry  Bond 514 

John  A.  Greenwood 519 

Hon.  Levi  K.  Fuller 545 

New  Hampton  Literary  and  Theological  Institution 553 

Arthur  G.  Crane 569 

Hon.  Fred  M.   Butler 600 


INTRODUCTION 


THE  meeting  and  mingling  of  several  currents  of  social  and 
religious  life  made  the  beginning  of  Baptist  history  in  Ver- 
mont a  rapid  and  powerful  movement.  The  tide  of  im- 
migration, long  restrained,  came  in  with  a  sudden  rise  when  once 
the  dykes  were  broken.  The  increasing  population  furnished  the 
material  for  the  multiplication  of  new  churches.  The  settlement  of 
the  State,  while  largely  a  pioneer  enterprise,  was  to  some  extent  a 
religious  movement.  There  were  men  and  women  of  strong  con- 
victions and  fervent  piety  who  were  seeking  release  from  some  of  the 
ecclesiastic  restraints  under  which  they  had  been  living.  This  was 
particularly  true  of  the  Baptist  immigrants.  Baptist  sentiments  and 
practices  were  not  then  popular,  but  their  adherents  held  them  with 
the  tenacity  of  conviction,  and  preached  them  fearlessly  and  with  ef- 
fect. Their  resistance  to  taxation  for  the  support  of  "The  Standing 
Order"  subjected  them  to  severe  criticism  and  sometimes  to  more 
trying  experiences,  and  the  prospect  of  more  perfect  religious 
liberty  among  the  mountains  of  Vermont  was  attractive  to  them. 
Moreover  the  times  were  ripe  for  an  intense  religious  interest.  The 
preaching  of  Wesley  and  his  associates  had  pricked  the  consciences 
of  many  and  had  awakened  among  christians  generally  an  evange- 
listic spirit.  Many  an  immigrant,  no  doubt,  brought  into  the  soli- 
tudes of  the  wilderness  pungent  religious  convictions  which  isola- 
tion and  loneliness  served  to  increase  in  force.  Pioneer  preachers 
and  evangelists  itinerating  among  these  new  settlers  were  warmly 
welcomed  and  their  efforts  were  fruitful  in  encouraging  christians 
and  leading  others  to  conversion.  Near  the  close  of  the  eighteenth 
century  a  gracious  revival  of  religion  began  almost  simultaneously 
throughout  the  State;  converts  were  multiplied;  new  churches  were 
organized;  the  small  associations  already  organized  welcomed  the 
new  churches  to  their  fellowship  and  watchcare.   The  correspond- 


12  INTRODUCTION 

ence  between  the  associations  in  the  State  and  in  other  states  served 
to  develop  a  denominational  spirit  and  enterprise.  The  success  of 
volunteer  itinerants  encouraged  the  associations  to  send  out  their 
preachers  among  the  infant  settlements  and  to  the  frontiers  of 
civilization  and  to  the  camps  of  the  Indians,  and  thus  organized 
missionary  work  began.  The  letters  of  Adoniram  Judson  and  the 
visit  of  Luther  Rice  awoke  the  churches  to  the  cause  of  world  wide 
missionary  work.  The  need  of  combined  effort  for  the  care  of  weaker 
churches  and  for  the  work  of  missions  led  to  the  organization  of  the 
Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention.  Various  departments  of 
christian  enterprise  led  to  the  organization  of  societies  specially 
entrusted  to  these  branches.  Sunday  schools  were  organized  and 
Sunday  School  Conventions  became  a  necessity. 

The  women  heard  the  call  to  special  missionary  service  and 
their  mission  circles  took  a  place  of  prominence  in  the  local  and 
State  work.  The  young  people  rallied  for  service  and  for  culture. 
Men  and  women  endowed  with  the  spirit  of  sacrifice  gave  of  their 
earnings  and  income  for  the  support  of  churches  and  the  spread  of 
the  gospel  at  home  and  abroad.  Generous  bequests  came  into  the 
treasury  of  the  Convention,  accumulating  a  fund  for  the  more  ade- 
quate su])port  of  pastors  and  for  the  maintenance  of  the  weaker 
churches.  Thus  the  denomination  developed.  Loved  and  honored 
leaders  have  lived  and  finished  their  work  and  others  have  entered 
into  their  labors.  Some  churches  have  had  brief  life  and  others  have 
survived  for  more  than  a  century,  and  now  the  Baptists  of  Vermont, 
well  organized  and  with  somewhat  ample  resources,  are  holding 
their  place  in  the  wide  brotherhood  of  Baptists,  and  are  trying  to 
do  their  part  of  the  work  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  This  is  an  out- 
line of  the  story  which  the  following  pages  of  the  book  attempt  to 
tell. 


History  of  the  Baptists 
in  Vermont 


Chapter    I 


BEGINNINGS— CHURCHES  IN  SHAFTSBURY,  POWNAL 
AND  WALLINGFORD 

Hostility  between  the  English,  the  French  and  the  Indians, 
delayed  the  permanent  settlement  of  \'ermont.  Long  after  the 
colonies  of  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut  had  become  prosperous, 
Vermont  remained  a  wilderness.  When,  in  1724,  by  vote  of  the  Gen- 
eral Court  of  the  Massachusetts  Bay  Colony,  Fort  Dummer  was 
erected  within  the  present  limits  of  Brattleboro,  a  measure  of 
safety  was  secured,  and  settlements  slowly  began  in  Brattleboro, 
Putney,  Vernon,  Addison  and  Pownal. 

A  small  force  of  soldiers  was  sent  to  garrison  Fort  Dummer, 
and  with  them  came  Rev.  Daniel  Dwight,  as  chaplain.  He  was  a 
minister  of  the  "Standing  Order, "  and,  so  far  as  we  know,  the  first 
to  perform  the  duties  of  his  sacred  office  in  this  State,  and  the  only 
one  for  more  than  forty  years. 

In  1760,  the  French  finally  capitulated,  and  Canada  became  a 
possession  of  Great  Britain.  Then  the  tide  of  immigration  began  to 
set  strongly  in  this  direction.  The  fertility  of  Vermont's  soil  and 
the  wealth  of  her  forests  had  long  been  kno\\Ti  to  soldiers,  hunters, 
and  adventurers,  and  these  were  among  the  foremost  to  become  set- 
tlers, as  soon  as  it  was  safe  to  do  so. 


14  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Others  came,  lured  by  the  prospect  of  pleasant  homes,  where 
they  might  be  free  from  some  of  the  ecclesiastical  restraints  to 
which  they  had  been  subjected  in  the  older  colonies. 

Among  the  many  immigrants,  some  were  devout  christians, 
who,  true  to  their  best  impulses,  united  in  efforts  to  establish  schools 
and  churches,  and  to  evangelize  their  communities. 

The  first  township,  granted  by  Governor  Winthrop,  of  New 
Hampshire,  was  Bennington,  in  1749.  Settlement  here,  however, 
was  not  accomphshed  until  about  1760.  Between  1760  and  1768, 
Wentworth  had  granted  one  hundred  and  thirty-eight  towniships, 
and  these  were  called  New  Hampshire  Grants.  The  grants  required 
that  every  grantee  should  plant  and  cultivate  five  acres  of  land,with- 
in  five  years,  for  every  fifty  acres  granted;  and  other  conditions  were 
imposed.  In  each  township  one  share  of  two  hundred  acres  was  set 
apart  for  the  "Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,"  one  for  a  glebe  for  the  Church  of  England,  and  one  for  the 
first  settled  minister.  This  provision  for  the  first  settled  minister 
was  very  helpful  to  the  infant  churches  in  securing  pastors,  and  an 
incentive  to  promi)tness  on  the  part  of  the  several  denominations. 

The  first  church  organized  within  the  present  limits  of  Ver- 
mont was  the  First  Congregational  Church  in  Bennington,  De- 
cember 3,  1762,  whose  first  pastor  was  Rev.  Jedediah  Dewey,  from 
1763  ^ntil  his  death  in  1778.  Other  churches  of  this  denomination 
were  organized  in  Vernon  and  Westminster. 

The  Bennington  church  was  comjjosed  of  a  zealous  band  of 
reformers  called  "Separatists,"  immigrants  from  Hardwick  and 
Amherst,  Mass.  In  this,  as  in  many  other  instances,  a  portion  of 
these  New  Light  Reformers  began  to  imbibe  Baptist  sentiments. 
This  interrupted  their  harmony  with  those  of  their  brethren  who 
held  on  to  the  Pedo-Baptist  system. 

Seeking  to  promote  their  o\mi  religious  comfort  and  advance  the 
cause  of  truth,  the  Baptists  removed  from  Bennington,  some  going 
north  into  the  southwest  part  of  Shaftsbury,  near  the  present  site 
of  North  Bennington,  and  others  south  into  PowTial. 

The  gathering  of  Baptists  in  these  two  places  and  their  in- 
crease may  have  been  due  partially  to  another  cause.  Samuel  Rob- 
inson, one  of  the  original  settlers  and  the  largest  proprietor,  was  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  15 

Congregationalist,  who  had  an  eye  to  the  peace  and  unity  of  his 
owTi  church  and  congregation.  It  is  related  of  him  that,  when  per- 
sons came  to  Bennington  to  purchase  land,  he  used  to  invite  them 
to  spend  the  night  in  his  hospitable  home,  and,  in  the  course  of  the 
evening,  he  would  inquire  concerning  their  denominational  prefer- 
ences. If  they  were  Congregationalists,  then  they  were  offered 
tempting  tracts  of  land  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Bennington; 
if  they  were  found  to  be  Baptists,  then  the  country  about  Shafts- 
bury  and  PoA\Tial  was  described  as  a  veritable  Land  of  Promise;  if 
they  were  Episcopalians,  then  Arlington  was  pictured  as  a  land 
flowing  with  milk  and  honey,  and  thus,  the  unsuspecting  settlers 
were  sorted,  and  the  happy  result  was  four  settlements,  in  which  the 
people  were  somewhat  homogeneous  in  their  doctrinal  sentiments. 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  \"ermont  was  organized  in  Shafts- 
bury  in  the  latter  part  of  August,  1768,  at  a  time  when  the  inhabi- 
tants were  greatly  excited  over  the  contentions  between  New  Hamp- 
shire and  New  York,  both  claiming  jurisdiction  over  the  New 
Hampshire  Grants.  These  grants  had  suddenly  risen  in  importance, 
and  a  very  strong  current  of  immigration  had  set  toward  them  for 
eight  years  previous. 

The  earliest  records  of  this  pioneer  church  have  been  care- 
fully preserved,  and,  in  quaint  language,  tell  the  story^  of  its  origin, 
and  incidentally  of  the  origin  of  other  Shaftsbury  churches.  They 
reveal,  too,  somewhat  clearly,  the  character  of  the  founders  of 
this  early  church,  and  the  course  of  their  church  life.  The  first 
entry  in  the  old  book  of  records  is  as  follows : 

"Shaftsbury  in  the  year,  1768. 

"  lly.  A  number  of  christians,  that  had  before  Covenanted 
To  watch  Over  one  another  for  Good,  had  much  labour  about  the 
Doctrins  of  Christ  and  the  form  of  his  house.  Some  of  us  hold  that 
the  Doctrin  of  laying  on  of  hands  is  to  be  Imposed  on  Common 
believers,  others  hold  not.  Finally  a  Number  agreed  That  Laying 
on  of  hands  Should  not  hinder  Our  building  togather  in  Church 
State,  Not  holding  it  as  a  Term  of  Communion. 

"2ly.  we  had  a  dispute  about  Telling  Experiances. 
Finally  we  agreed  that  Telling  of  Experiances  of  a  work  of  Grace 
upon  the  hearts  of  those  who  offer  themselves  to  the  Ch*^,  is  in 


16  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  general,  Essential  Steps  toward  admitting  members  Into  the 
Chl^. 

"August  ye  latter  End  a  Number  of  Christians  being  met  To- 
gether after  labour  upon  points  forementioned  we  proceeded  in  the 
Following  order. 

"  Cyprian  Downer,  John  Millington,  Sammuel  Waters,  Ichabod 
West,  Reuben  EUis,  Thomas  Matteson,  Lydia  Barr,  Join  togather 
in  a  most  Sollem  Covenant  as  a  Church  of  Christ  to  watch  over 
one  another  in  the  Fear  of,  and  to  walk  in  all  the  Laws  and  ordi- 
nances of  the  Lord  as  members  of  Christ's  Ch^,  depending 
upon  God  for  Grace." 

That  the  church  prospered  in  its  earlier  years  is  evident,  from 
the  fact  that,  in  August,  1774,  they  wrote  that  they  had  thirty- 
nine  members,  twenty-one  of  whom  were  men.  Thomas  Mattison. 
one  of  the  original  members,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  the  town, 
and  its  first  town  clerk,  a  position  which  he  held  for  more  than 
forty  years. 

For  twelve  years  this  first  church  in  Vermont  was  without  a 
pastor.  There  were  two  members,  with  recognized  ministerial 
gifts,  whose  record  is  so  interwoven  with  that  of  the  church,  and  so 
illustrative  of  its  life,  that  we  trace  it  in  with  special  interest. 

The  Willoughbys  Avere  early  settlers  in  Shaftsbury.  Backus, 
the  historian,  speaks  of  Bliss  Willoughby  as  a  leader  among  this 
people,  though  never  pastor.  Mr.  Willoughby  was  received  into 
the  church  "as  a  private  member,  under  no  obligation  to  the  church 
as  a  minister,  nor  the  church  under  any  bonds  to  him  as  such,  but 
for  him  to  preach  when  it  is  his  choice,  to  have  the  same  privilege 
of  hearing  as  any  other  brother,  upon  which  proposal  Brother 
Willoughby  said  he  could  come  into  the  church,  and  likewise  the 
church  manifested  their  freedom  in  opening  the  door  to  receive 
him. " 

In  January,  1774,  he  was  unjustly  accused  before  the  church, 
and  fully  exonerated  by  it.  The  trouble  grew  out  of  a  misunder- 
standing over  the  sale  of  an  iron  pot.  Although  he  was  exonerated 
by  the  church,  the  trial  evidently  left  a  sting.  November  22,  he  was 
kii.dly  invited  l)y  the  church  to  attend  a  meeting,  at  which  some 
of  the  brethren  made  special  effort  to  remove  any  stumbling  blocks 


1^        sIk^ 

R 

^f    .  ^•^^^SBw-                      '-'-j^ 

01 

— --. -t-ii «  B^^ — »  -  -  •      i  ^^HHH 

Shaftsiu  in   Baptist  Church 

The  first  Haplist  ("hurcli  in  NiTinont  was  organized  in  Shaftsbury,  1768 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  17 

in  his  way,  and  as  a  result,  he  "prof est  he  found  himself  bound  to 
attend  meeting  with  the  church,  as  a  fellow  sufferer  and  burden- 
bearer  with  the  church. " 

The  next  month  the  church,  with  a  single  dissenting  vote, 
"manifested  their  freedom  that  he  should  improve  his  gift  in  the 
church."  At  this  same  meeting,  however,  Brother  John  Milling- 
ton  and  Samuel  Doolittle,  alleged  against  Brother  Willoughby 
that  "he  did  frequently  on  the  Sabbath  Day,  the  summer  past, 
visit  the  house  of  Mr.  McNiff,  where  he  spent  the  greater  part  of 
the  Sabbath."  The  church  considered  the  matter  and  concluded 
that,  although  it  might  be  lawful  to  do  so,  it  did  not  appear  ex- 
pedient, especially  when  it  grieved  any  brother.  Brother  Willough- 
by declared  that  he  would  have  left  off  to  go  to  Mr.  McNiff 's  if  he 
had  known  his  going  grieved  any  brother.  The  church  concluded 
that  they  could  not  find  whereof  to  condemn  Brother  Willoughby 
in  the  matter. "  However,  Brother  Willoughby  shortly  afterward 
withdrew  from  the  church,  declining  to  give  any  reason  for  so 
doing. 

John  Millington,  another  of  the  constituent  members,  had 
ministerial  gifts; — a  man  evidently  impulsive  in  disposition  and 
wavering  in  his  doctrinal  beliefs.  As  early  as  March,  1770,  the 
church  recorded  its  conviction  "that  brother,  John  Millington,  is 
called  of  God  to  be  in  readiness  to  take  charge  of  the  flock  of  God 
in  Shaftsbury. "  When  the  question  of  his  ordination  came  up  the 
next  year,  there  were  objections  so  pronounced  that  the  church  con- 
cluded it  could  not  "  see  Brother  Millington  to  be  a  watchman  as  he 
now  standeth."  In  May,  1773,  Brother  Millington  having  openly 
denied  the  doctrine  of  "God's  election,  and  the  parseverance  of 
saints, "  the  church  could  not  bid  him  God  speed. 

About  a  year  later  he  retracted,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the 
church,  and  was  restored.  The  next  year  he  made  public  with- 
drawal from  the  church,  "alledging  that  the  church  doth  not  weigh 
with  God's  balances,  nor  measure  with  God's  rule,  wherefore  he 
chuses  to  be  understood  in  distinction  from  the  church. "  In  No- 
vember of  the  same  year,  1775,  Millington  made  public  confession 
of  his  wrong  in  withdrawing  from  the  church,  rededicated  himself 
to  service,  and  was  restored.  At  length,  in  the  presence  of  a  council, 


18  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  with  the  approval  of  the  same,  the  church,  "  excepting  those  be- 
fore known  as  Aggrieved  brethren,''  voted  their  satisfaction  with  Mr. 
MiUington's  quahfications  to  become  pastor  of  the  church,  and  he 
was  formally  ordained  on  Saturday,  November  23,  1782.  The 
record  of  this  meeting  adds  this  significant  and  peculiar  paragraph : 
"Inasmuch  as  there  is  a  number  of  brethren  that  cannot  join  in  the 
present  choice  and  ordination  of  our  Elder,  we  allow  them  to  con- 
sider themselves  distinct  by  themselves  as  to  their  particular  travel 
and  government. "  This  action  gave  birth  to  the  Third  or  Middle 
Baptist  church  in  Shaftsbury.  Five  years  after  his  ordination,  John 
Millington  was  summoned  before  a  council  and  admonished,  on 
account  of  neglect  of  the  duties  of  his  office,  and  for  having  changed 
his  doctrinal  sentiments  from  that  of  particular  election  to  that  of 
belief  in  universal  salvation  of  all  the  human  race,  and  on  account 
of  personal  conduct  having  the  appearance  of  evil.  We  hear  no 
more  of  Brother  Millington. 

The  church  was  destined  to  be  without  an  ordained  pastor  for 
seven  years,  till  one  of  her  owti  young  men  was  called  of  God  to  lead 
her  many  years  in  paths  of  peace  and  fruitage. 

In  1789,  Cyprian  Dowmer,  one  of  the  original  members  who,  as 
licentiate,  had  for  some  years  been  active  in  the  Second  Shafts- 
bury  Church,  reunited  with  the  First  Church  and  doubtless  be- 
came a  leader.  A  season  of  marked  prosperity  followed  and  the 
closing  years  of  the  century  found  the  church  enjoying  the  fruits 
of  a  powerful  revival.  During  the  years  1798  and  1799,  seventy- 
three  were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism,  the  ordinance  be- 
ing administered  by  several  neighboring  pastors,  among  them 
Lemuel  Covell,  Caleb  Blood,  and  Samuel  Rogers.  On  the  20th  of 
December,  1799,  two  candidates  were  baptized  about  ten  or  eleven 
o'clock  at  night. 

Referring  again  to  the  old  records,  we  note  the  struggles  of 
this  first  Baptist  church  in  Vermont  during  its  early  years.  More 
than  once  it  became  so  weak  in  numbers  and  interest  that  it  seemed 
to  have  become  extinct,  when  the  members  would  rally,  reconse- 
crate themselves,  put  away  differences  and  receive  tokens  of  divine 
favor.  It  strove  to  maintain  strict  discipline,  counting  non-at- 
tendance upon  the  means  of  grace  as  a  breach  of  covenant,  subject 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  19 

to  discipline.  It  held  family  prayer  "to  be  an  eternal  rule  of  right- 
eousness, and  binding  upon  all  God's  people,  namely,  heads  of 
families.  That  they  make  their  daily  practice  to  call  on  God's 
name  with  their  families, — want  of  unity  in  the  family  not  being 
regarded  as  sufficient  excuse  why  one  should  not  pray  with  his 
family. "  One  brother,  after  being  kindly  labored  with  in  vain,  was 
disfellowshiped  on  the  ground  of  neglect  of  this  duty.  Occasionally 
a  member  withdrew  from  the  church  for  reasons  that  seem  ec- 
centric, as  when  Brother  N.  and  his  wife  did  publicly  withdraw 
from  the  church  alleging  "that  the  church  doth  shut  out  the  wit- 
ness of  God  and  the  ark  of  God's  covenant  is  not  with  us, "  or  as 
when  Sister  M.  withdrew,  "assigning  this  as  her  reason,  that  we 
have  not  got  the  Gospel  with  us.  She  gits  the  evidence  of  what  she 
charges  is  true  in  our  neglecting  the  sallutation  that  Paul 
speaketh  of,  and  the  washing  of  the  saints  feet  in  an  external  way ; 
also  that  we  do  not  sacrament  in  the  evening  only. "  In  discipli- 
nary action,  the  church,  as  a  rule,  appeared  to  be  proceeding,  not  as  a 
judge  between  parties  at  variance,  but  as  counsellor  and  peace- 
maker. 

One  institution  feature  of  this  church  is  worthy  of  note.  The 
record  reads,  "To  communicate  in  temporal  as  well  as  in  spirituals 
to  the  wants  of  the  needy  we  have  hit  and  agreed  upon  the  follow- 
ing mode,  viz :  To  lay  by  in  store  for  said  purpose  a  public  stock  in 
the  church,  to  be  distributed  to  the  sons  of  need  as  their  necessity 
shall  appear  to  call  for  the  same."  They  encouraged  great  plainness 
of  speech  at  church  meetings  and  at  other  times,  in  order  to  know 
each  others'  circumstances  in  respect  to  temporal  needs,  and  ap- 
pointed Thomas  Mattison  to  have  charge  of  receiving  and  distribut- 
ing their  bounty,  under  careful  direction  and  under  obligation  to 
make  frequent  and  correct  reports  of  all  transactions.  To  guard 
against  any  misapprehension,  the  quaint  record  of  this  plan  closes 
with  the  remark,  "Now  it  is  not  our  meaning  by  drawing  out  our 
breasts  to  the  hungry  to  nourish  the  least  idleness  or  imprudent 
management  in  any  matter,  for  we  are  sure  it  is  the  duty  of  all  ac- 
cording to  their  ability  and  opportunity  that  they  are  not  slothful 
in  business  but  fervent  in  spirit  serving  the  Lord. " 


20  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  following  entries  are  of  historical  interest,  reflecting  as 
they  do  the  political  troubles  growing  out  of  the  contest  between 
Vermont  and  New  York  over  the  New  Hampshire  grants,  and  also 
from  the  presence  of  Tory  sympathizers  with  Great  Britain  in  the 
Revolutionary  period. 

"March  23  1774  att  a  Chb  Meeting  1st;  after  Prayer  to  God 
Considered  a  diffculty  that  Br.  ^Yilliam  Fareman  and  Amaziah 
Martin  Brought  into  the  Chh,.  which  they  had  with  some  of  the 
Brethren,  Because  they  have  assisted  the  Mobb  against  the  York- 
ers, but  when  they  Came  to  talk  with  the  Brethren  in  the  matter 
they  find  a  Disposition  To  Pass  by  and  forgive  one  another,  w^hat 
Ever  hath  Been  Done  of  that  Nature. 

"2ly  the  Chli  Concludes  that  agreeable  to  the  advice  of  the  Gov- 
ernor and  Council  of  New  York,  it  Is  Right  for  Every  man 
to  keep  his  Possession  and  not  to  be  Turned  out  of  it  as  things  are 
now  Circumstanced. 

"Sly  the  Chb  Doth  wholy  Renounce  Resisting  the  authority, 
or  opposing  any  oflice,  in  Bringing  any  man  to  Justice  for  any 
Crime  that  he  hath  Committed  or  from  bringing  any  to  Pay  his 
Lawful  Debts. 

"First  Wed.  Sept.  1779 

"2ly  Considered  the  Accusation  of  Br  William  Farmer  and 
Amaziah  Martin  against  Br.  Clark  For  Sending  for  them,  in  Milli- 
tary  order,  when  they  ware  Accus'd  with  Inimical  Conduct  Toward 
the  Country. 

"The  Church  Conclude  that  we  Cannot  Find  Whereof  To  Con- 
demn Brother  Clark  in  the  matter,  on  the  Contrary  Do  Judge 
Brother  Farmer  and  Martin 's  Reasons  InsuflBcient  and  hold  them 
Under  Admonition  for  the  same. 

"The  20  December  1798  Br.  John  Goodinear  and  Sister  Hurd 
Baptized  by  Elder  Lemuel  Covel  about  10  or  11  o'clock  at  Nite 
of  the  3d  20th." 

The  Second  Church  in  Shaftsbury 

On  the  first  Wednesday  in  August,  1780,  Cyprian  Downer  and 
several  others,  members  of  the  First  Church,  requested  dismission 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  21 

that  they  might  organize  a  church  by  themselves,  in  fellowship  with 
the  mother  church,  assigning  as  their  reason  the  distance  of  their 
homes  from  the  place  of  meeting.  These  with  some  others  living  in 
the  locality  called  Maple  Hill,  united  in  church  relation.  The  church 
was  sometimes  called  the  Rhode  Island  church  because  many  of  its 
members  were  from  that  State.  This  church  was  also  one  of  the  con- 
stituent members  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  and  at  the  time  of 
its  organization  reported  a  membership  of  thirty -four.  They  seem 
not  to  have  had  an  ordained  pastor  at  all  till  1827.  They  never  had 
a  meeting-house  of  their  own,  and  hence  could  not  well  sustain  a 
pastor  in  his  labors.  But,  with  the  aid  of  Brother  Cyprian  DoAvaier 
and  Deacon  Sly,  they  maintained  their  visibility  for  more  than  for- 
ty-five years  without  a  settled  pastor.  In  the  year  1799,  this  church 
shared  in  the  great  work  of  grace  that  blessed  the  town,  and  added 
fifteen  to  their  membership,  making  thirty-six  in  fellowship  among 
them.  No  returns  were  made  from  this  church  to  the  Association 
for  more  than  twenty  years,  from  1807  to  1827.  At  this  last  date 
they  reunited  with  the  body  reporting  the  name  of  Elder  Daniel  A. 
Coon  as  pastor,  and  a  membership  of  fifty -five,  having  evidently 
been  refreshed  and  strengthened  by  a  revival  of  religion,  as  the  First 
Church  had  been  that  year.  Elder  Coon  left  them  in  1830,  and  we 
next  find  the  name  of  Elder  Robert  R.  Bennett  among  them  as  pas- 
tor, froml832  to  1835  and  again  in  1838.  In  1831,  they  enjoyed  a  re- 
vival and  reported  twenty-four  baptized  in  1832,  with  a  total  of  sixty- 
four  members.  Again  in  1838  and  1839  a  few  more  were  baptized, 
while  the  central  church  was  sharing  a  blessing,  but  their  numbers 
diminished  until,  in  1841,  they  were  dropped  from  the  minutes  of  the 
Association  and  ceased  to  be  counted  a  church  in  gospel  order. 

The  Third  Shaftsbury  Church,  or  The  Middle  Church 

The  action  of  the  First  Church,  in  connection  with  the  ordina- 
tion of  John  Millington,  to  which  reference  has  been  made,  re- 
sulted in  the  "aggrieved  members"  uniting  to  form  a  church  called 
the  Third  or  Middle  church.  The  unhappy  relation  of  these  to 
the  members  of  the  parent  church  was  amicably  settled  a  few 
years  later,  and  the  two  churches  brought  into  fellowship,  which 


%%  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

continued  till  the  revival  of  1798  and  1799,  when  this  third  church 
was  merged  intp  the  other  churches  and  ceased  to  maintain  an 
independent  existence. 

The  Fourth  Baptist  Church  in  Shaftsbury 

The  Baptist  church  in  Shaftsbury  called  the  Fourth,  afterward, 
for  a  season  the  Third,  and  since  1844  the  only  church  in  town,  was 
constituted  in  Bennington  on  the  19th  of  August,  1783.  The  arti- 
cles of  faith  and  church  covenant  which  appear  among  the  papers 
of  the  church,  are  subscribed  to  by  twenty-four  members  in  1787, 
and  are  very  similar  to  those  which  the  church  now  recognizes  as 
theirs  and  which  are  contained  in  their  printed  rules. 

Although  the  records  of  the  first  formation  of  the  church  are 
\ery  incomplete,  still  enough  is  recorded  to  show  the  views  which 
these  fathers  and  mothers  in  Israel  entertained,  at  that  early  day, 
in  respect  to  some  leading  and  important  parts  of  church  discipline, 
to  wit:  "That  persons  not  baptized  according  to  Scripture  ex- 
ample should  not  be  admitted  to  the  communion ;  that  no  trespass 
or  offence  committed  by  any  member  should  be  brought  into  the 
church,  without  evidence  to  prove  the  fact,  nor  w^ithout  private 
stejjs  of  labor  first  taken;  that  every  member  is  bound  by  the  law  of 
Christ  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  church,  except  for  some  reason- 
able excuse;  and  that  no  brother  should  go  to  law'  with  a  brother. " 

The  meetings  were  held  in  Bennington  until  January  16, 
1785,  after  which  time  the  center  of  Shaftsbury  appears  to  hav^e 
been  their  place  of  meeting.  Elder  Amos  Burroughs  was  at  this 
time  preaching  for  the  church,  and  so  continued  until  after  the 
first  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1786.  During  this  year  a  very 
extensive  re^'ival  of  religion  was  enjoyed.  It  appeared  as  if  the  Lord 
approved  the  pious  design  of  His  people  erecting  a  house  for  His 
worship,  in  this  then  ncAvly  settled  country,  and  poured  out  His 
Spirit  upon  them,  even  before  their  house  was  completed,  and  a 
number  of  valuable  members  were  at  this  time  added  who  were 
afterward  pillars  of  the  church. 

The  meeting-house  finished,  the  revival  past,  now  came  a 
scene  of  trial.    Elder  Burroughs,  who  had  been  preaching  for  some 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  23 

time  in  town,  was  a  man  of  ardent  temperament,  but  somewhat 
periodical  in  his  religious  feelings,  and  seemed  better  calculated  to 
enlist  the  feelings  and  kindle  the  passions  than  to  instruct  his  hearer 
in  the  doctrines  and  duties  of  Christianity.  He  had  ardent  friends 
in  the  church,  whose  views  and  tastes  corresponded  with  his  o\^^l, 
who  wished  that  he  might  be  settled  as  pastor,  while  others  looked 
for  other  gifts  and  qualifications  to  unite  in  the  man  whom  they 
should  place  in  the  charge  of  the  church  as  pastor  and  teacher. 
After  patient  waiting  and  the  exercise  of  mutual  christian  love  and 
forbearance.  Elder  Caleb  Blood  was  settled  as  the  first  pastor  of  the 
church  in  1788. 

In  1794,  this  church  enjoyed  another  re\'ival  season  in  which 
thirty-five  were  added  to  their  number.  But  the  most  extensive  re- 
vival ever  enjoyed  by  this  church,  commonly  referred  to  as  "the 
great  reformation. "  commenced  in  the  spring  of  1798  and  continued 
nearly  a  year.  During  this  revival  one  hundred  and  seventy-fire  were 
added  to  the  church.  Of  this  number,  however,  al)out  twenty  who 
had  sustained  a  relation  together  as  the  Salisbury  church  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town,  dissolved  that  connection  and  united  with 
this  church,  so  that  subsequent  to  this  period  this  church  was  us- 
ually called  the  Third  instead  of  the  Fourth  church  as  heretofore. 

POWNAL 

A  few  Baptists  \\ere  gathered  into  a  church  in  Pownal 
by  Rev.  Benjamin  Gardner,  of  Rhode  Island,  in  1772.  The  town 
was  settled  by  the  English  ten  years  before,  and  the  people  had 
been  livmg  in  a  ^'ery  careless  way,  neglecting  public  worship  and 
indulging  themselves  in  all  kinds  of  vanity.  In  March,  1773,  they 
were  afflicted  with  a  serious  distemper,  which  greatly  alarmed  them, 
and  led  them  to  attend  upon  the  means  of  grace  in  large  numbers. 
The  church  increased  to  sixty  members,  as  a  result  of  this  awaken- 
ing, but  owing  to  the  defection  of  their  pastor  from  the  purity  of  a 
minister 's  life,  their  prosperity  was  short.  His  fall  threw  them  into 
confusion.  They  remained  unorganized  till  1781,  when  they  were 
visited  by  a  minister  named  Francis  Bennett,  from  Rhode  Island. 
By  his  efforts  they  were  reorganized,  November  25, 1782. 


24  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

But  for  this  unhappy  break  in  the  organization  of  the  Baptists 
in  Pownal,  the  present  Pownal  church  would  have  the  distinction 
of  being  the  oldest  living  church  of  Baptist  order  in  Vermont.  That 
honor  is  now  held  by  the  Baptist  church  in  Wallingford.  Caleb 
Nichols  became  pastor  of  the  Pownal  church  in  1788.  In  Miss 
Heminway's  Gazeteer  is  this  tribute  to  him :  "  He  came  to  Pownal 
bringing  with  him  only  fair  paper  credentials  but,  what  far  exceeds, 
a  heart  glowing  with  love  to  God  and  man.  And  now,  instead  of 
using  his  violin  to  captivate  the  thoughtless  throng,  he  is  engaged 
with  successful  zeal  in  sounding  the  gospel  trumpet.  His  life  and 
conversation  are  exemplary.  His  preaching  is  spiritual  and  animat- 
ing, pretty  full  of  the  musical  'New  Light'  tone,  but  his  gift  of 
prayer  is  his  excellence,  for  he  not  only  prays  as  if  he  were  climbing 
Jacob 's  ladder  to  the  portals  of  heaven,  but  his  expressions  are  so 
doctrinal  that  a  good  sermon  may  be  heard  in  one  of  his  prayers. " 
The  following  inscription  appears  on  his  tombstone:  "Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  faithful  service  as  a  minister  and  watchman  over 
the  First  Baptist  Church  in  PowTial.  Departed  this  life  the  27th 
of  February,  1804,  in  the  61st  year  of  his  age.  He  was  bom  in 
Exeter,  R.  I.,  on  the  12th  of  March,  1743. "  Stephen  Wright,  in  his 
History  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  furnished  the  following 
facts,  "Of  the  progress  of  this  church  during  the  pastorate  of  Elder 
Nichols,  we  can  give  but  a  meager  account  from  the  materials  at 
hand.  Suffice  it  to  say  that  in  the  last  ten  years  of  it  there  were 
added  to  the  church  one  hundred,  raising  them  to  an  average  num- 
ber during  his  ministry  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  members."  This 
church  first  united  with  the  Shaftsbury  Association  in  1793,  with 
seventy -two  in  their  fellowship.  The  next  year  they  reported  the 
large  accession  of  sixty -four  to  their  number,  with  a  total  of  one 
hundred  and  thirty-seven. 

Wallingford 

The  history  of  the  Wallingford  church,  the  oldest  of  the 
Vermont  Baptist  churches  now  existing,  begins  February  10, 
1780,  when  as  the  record  reads,  "A  number  of  brethren  and 
sisters  to  the  number  of  twenty -two,  living  in  the  townships  of 
Clarendon  and  Wallingford,  met  together  on  previous  agreement  at 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  25 

the  house  of  Titus  Andrews  in  Wallingford,  on  the  important  affair 
of  joining  together  in  church  state  and  in  covenant  relation.  The 
meeting  was  opened  by  solemn  prayer  to  God  for  assistance  and 
direction.  Made  choice  of  Elder  Elisha  Rich  moderator.  Then  first 
gave  our  sense  of  the  Scriptures  in  our  confession  of  faith  and  prac- 
tice, which  we  mutually  agreed  should  be  more  particularly  ex- 
pressed in  our  Church  articles.  2d,  Made  relation  to  each  other  for 
mutual  fellowship.  3d,  Solemnly  covenanted  together  as  brethren 
to  watch  over  one  another  in  the  fear  of  God.  4th,  The  Elder  made 
a  public  declaration  of  our  solemn  obligations  to  be  faithful  to 
God  and  each  other  as  the  rules  of  the  Gospel  require. " 

The  names  of  these  who  thus  covenanted  together  are,  Eliakim 
Richmond,  Eber  Murray,  Caleb  Handy,  George  Jenney,  Stephen 
Arnold,  Elkanah  Cook,  Edward  Bumpus,  James  Bumpus,  Hezekiah 
Rhoades,  Titus  Andrews,  Ichabod  G.  Clark,  Reuben  Ives,  Joseph 
Randall,  Thankful  Cook,  Phebe  Arnold,  Rachel  Walker,  Jerusha 
Bumpus,  Love  Andrews,  Dorcas  Clark,  Damros  Rhodes,  Sabra 
Randall. 

It  appears  from  the  records  that  on  the  same  day,  February 
10,  1780,  "The  church  chose  Eber  Murray  to  serve  as  a  deacon  for 
the  present"  and  Joseph  Randall,  church  clerk,  which  position 
he  held  for  fifty-four  consecutive  years. 

Fortunately,  a  carefully  prepared  history  of  this  church  from 
the  original  records  was  written  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald  in  1880, 
from  which  the  following  facts  are  taken  for  the  most  part  in  the 
language  of  the  historian. 

It  may  be  mentioned  that  Titus  Andrews,  in  whose  house  the 
church  was  formed,  rests  under  a  cloud  by  reason  of  a  vote  of  the 
town  December  17,  1778,  allo\\'ing  him  "to  become  an  inhabitant 
of  the  town  on  his  good  behaviour,  and  his  making  a  public  ac- 
knowledgement to  the  inhabitants  of  the  town, "  did  well  redeem 
his  pledge  and  proved  an  excellent  and  useful  citizen,  despite  his 
Tory  predilections,  which  rightly  placed  him  under  the  ban  of  his 
towTismen.  And  it  is  also  fitting  to  record  that  several  of  the  con- 
stituent members  of  this  church  served  in  the  Revolutionary 
army  as  valiant  defenders  of  the  country. 

It  is  generally  supposed  that  this  was  the  first  religious  or- 
ganization in  towTi,  but  there  is  credible  evidence  that  certain  of 


26  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  inhabitants  of  Walhngford,  wishing  to  evade  miHtary  duty, 
professed  themselves  to  be  Friends,  and  organized  a  society  of  that 
order  in  1777,  which  existed  till  about  1790.  There  is,  however, 
equally  indisputable  evidence  that  the  settlers  of  this  region  were, 
for  the  most  part,  inclined  to  Baptist  sentiments.  No  other  church 
was  organized,  so  far  as  is  known,  prior  to  1792,  when  the  Congrega- 
tional church  was  instituted,  though  from  certain  towTi  records 
it  is  evident  Presbyterians  and  Congregationalists  were  settled 
here. 

The  confession  of  faith  agreed  upon  contains  little  that  is 
peculiar.  The  seventh  article  is  as  follows:  "We  believe  that  the 
laying  on  of  hands  is  an  ordinance  of  Christ,  to  be  administered  on 
all  set  apart  for  officers  of  the  church,  and  on  private  members  that 
see  it  to  be  their  duty  when  baptized,  but  not  to  be  as  a  bar  with 
those  who  do  not. "  This  last  clause  concerning  the  laying  on  of 
hands  on  private  members  was  not  expunged  until  May  31,  1844. 
The  eleventh  article  reads  thus:  "We  believe  it  to  be  our  duty  to 
administer  of  the  good  things  of  this  life  to  the  wants  and  necessi- 
ties of  our  i)oor  brethren,  either  ministers  or  people,  according  to 
our  several  abilities,  and  also  in  all  public  charges  of  the  church." 
There  is  nothing  particularly  noticeable  in  the  remaining  articles. 
With  the  exception  of  the  above  clauses  these  articles  remained 
unchanged  till  July  30,  1852,  when  articles  kno^^^l  as  the  "New 
Hampshire"  were  adopted. 

Sometime  in  April,  1780,  the  church  chose  Joseph  Randall  to 
serve  as  deacon  for  the  present.  The  next  record  shows  the  com- 
mencement of  what  was  a  frequent  procedure  for  many  years. 
"At  a  church  meeting  held  in  Clarendon  the  first  Saturday  in 
July,  1780,  a  committee  of  four  was  appointed  to  labor  with  a  cer- 
tain man  and  his  wife  for  walking  disorderly.  This  labor  was 
prosecuted  until  we  find  that  the  man  had  made  himself  a  public 
example  by  drinking  and  other  unlawful  conduct,  for  which  the 
church  on  March  7th,  1781,  voted  to  send  him  "a  letter  that  they 
withdraw  fellowship  from  him." 

In  the  history  of  this  church  upward  of  one  hundred  are  re- 
ported as  excluded,  quite  a  number  of  whom  afterward  confessed 
their  fault  and  were  restored.   By  far  the  greater  part  of  these  were 


HISTORY  OF  THjE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  27 

cut  off  previous  to  1820,  and  the  most  of  these  by  reason  of  drunken- 
ness and  other  sins  induced  thereby.  The  temptations  to  drink  in 
those  days  were  manifold;  everyone  was  expected  to  indulge,  and 
many  who  had  formed  the  appetite  were  unable  to  resist,  and  fell 
into  drunkenness  and  kindred  vices.  In  the  cases  of  excluded  per- 
sons, a  letter  was  sent  notifying  the  individual  of  the  act  of  the 
church.  Copies  of  many  of  these  letters  are  found  in  the  records. 
There  is  a  loving  tenderness  and  warm  Christ-like  spirit  displayed 
in  these  letters. 

At  first  there  was  no  regular  pastor,  but  Elder  Rich  preached 
more  or  less  of  the  time,  and  it  is  shown  by  the  records  was  desirous 
of  becoming  their  pastor.  This  led  to  much  conference  and  prayer 
and  brethren  from  abroad  were  counciled  with,  but  no  agreement 
could  be  reached  whereby  Elder  Rich  could  become  pastor.  The 
difficulty  appears  to  have  been  that  Elder  Rich  proposed  a  new 
constitution,  which  the  church  was  not  prepared  to  adopt.  Ac- 
cordingly he  withdrew,  and  a  number  of  brethren  followed  him 
with  the  intention  of  forming  a  new  body.  Concerning  Elder  Rich, 
it  is  proper  to  remark  that  in  other  fields  he  proved  an  efficient  and 
useful  minister  of  Christ. 

It  was  a  custom  of  the  church,  when  in  any  special  straits, 
to  appoint  a  day  of  prayer;  and  when  any  special  matter  was  under 
consideration  which  threatened  division,  there  would  be  appointed 
also  a  meeting  for  conference  on  the  following  day;  and  in  some 
manner  the  brethren  would  maintain  unity. 

August,  1784,  the  church  held  a  meeting  at  Moses  Hinman's 
and  "Proceeded  to  inquire  for  gifts  in  the  church.  First,  for  the 
gift  of  preaching,  and  found  it  in  Brother  Samuel  Lathrop,  and  gen- 
erally satisfied  that  he  had  the  gift  of  lead. "  A  day  in  September 
was  appointed  for  further  inquiry  for  other  gifts,  and  when  they 
met  they  "supposed  the  gift  of  exhortation  and  prayer  to  be  given 
to  Joseph  Randall,  and  Mebediah  Angell,  which  they  ought  to 
wait  upon;  hkewise  supposed  Eliakim  Richmond  to  have  the  gift 
of  prayer;  all  which  were  public  gifts  and  to  be  waited  upon  and 
improved  in  the  church."  It  is  interesting  to  conjecture  what 
changes  might  be  wrought  if  the  same  plan  were  pursued  in  all  our 
churches  now;  whether  some  in  official  position  might  not  be  re- 


28  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

manded  to  the  more  private  walk,  and  some  be  called  to  officiate 
who  now  hide  their  light.  The  plan  seems  conducive  to  humility 
and  to  resemble  the  Apostolic  method  of  choosing  men  to  be  leaders. 

The  action  of  the  church  in  regard  to  singing  is  interesting  and 
worthy  of  record.  There  was  an  impression  among  the  churches 
at  an  early  day  that  only  professing  christians  should  take  charge 
of  the  singing,  and  in  this  church  one  and  another  was  assigned  to 
this  duty.  Thus,  in  November,  1800,  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  select  the  tunes  and  have  the  entire  matter  under  their  charge. 
January  17,  1801,  "After  conversing  on  the  subject  of  singing, 
agreed  to  sing  once  in  a  day  by  reading. "  As  late  as  December,  1813, 
the  church  "mutually  agreed  that  no  person,  not  a  member  of  any 
church,  should  be  called  on  to  lead  in  singing  or  preach  in  the 
church. "  One  of  the  items  March  2,  1816,  is,  "We  will  regulate  the 
singing,  the  lead  of  the  singing  we  will  keep  under  the  government 
of  the  church,  if  money  and  pains  will  effect  it;  if  not  the  young  peo- 
ple shall  have  the  lead  at  all  times  when  we  fail. "  April  10,  of. the 
same  year,  however,  it  was  voted  that  "if  there  are  persons  present 
qualified  to  lead  the  singing,  though  they  are  not  church  members, 
yet  they  are  to  be  improved  in  that  way."  So  far  as  the  records 
show,  the  matter  was  dropped  here  forever. 

The  proceedings  of  the  church  in  the  choice  of  their  first  pastor 
are  exceedingly  suggestive.  After  appointing  a  special  day  for  con- 
sideration of  the  matter,  on  February  2,  1787,  "the  church  agreed, 
from  the  satisfaction  they  have  of  Henry  Green's  gift  in  doctrine, 
to  request  him  to  come  and  preach  to  them  all  the  while  if  he  sees 
it  to  be  his  duty,  if  not  as  much  as  he  can."  In  March,  we  find  a 
record  of  the  names  of  those  who  joined  in  the  request  to  "Brother 
Henry  Green  to  come  and  take  the  watchcare  of  them  as  an  under- 
shepherd,  to  lead  them  through  this  wilderness — and  to  set  him 
apart  for  the  Avork."  Others  are  recorded  as  having  "a  freedom 
that  the  said  Henry  Green  should  come  and  take  the  pastoral  care 
of  the  church  in  this  place.  The  distinction  seems  to  be  that  while 
a  part  requested  him  to  do  so,  others  did  not  join  in  the  request,  but 
were  willing  he  should  come.  At  another  meeting  some  not  present 
before  signified  their  assent  to  the  action  of  the  church,  and  their 
names  are  entered.   March  31 ,  at  a  church  meeting,  Brother  Green 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  29 

gave  the  church  to  understand  that  it  was  the  "freedom  of  his  mind 
to  Hve  with  them  the  present  season  and  preach  to  them,  and  get 
further  acquaintance,  and  if  Hght  opens,  and  the  doors  open  agree- 
ably to  God's  word,  to  comply  with  the  request. "  May  31,  the  ques- 
tion was  asked,  "Whether  their  satisfaction  of  Brother  Green's 
gifts  was  enlarged. "  All  answered  in  the  aflSrmative.  "The  church 
then  proceeded  to  appoint  brethren  to  make  inquiry  and  see  if 
they  can  find  a  farm  to  purchase  for  Brother  Green,  and  inquire 
how  much  help  can  be  had  from  the  brethren  and  friends."  With 
due  seriousness  and  care  the  call  was  finally  extended,  and  accepted, 
a  council  assembled  and  Brother  Green  ordained.  The  ordination 
took  place  on  the  4th  of  October,  1787.  The  ordination  services 
were  by  a  presbytery  chosen  by  the  church,  instead  of  by  the  Coun- 
cil. Joseph  Randall  was  ordained  deacon  by  the  same  presbytery 
A\nth  Brother  Green  added  for  the  church. 

Henry  Green  was  now  some  twenty-seven  or  twenty-eight 
years  of  age,  and  he  gave  twenty  years  of  faithful  labor  to  the 
church,  nearly  four  times  as  long  as  any  pastor  since  served  up  to 
1880,  and  by  far  the  most  prosperous  years,  apparently. 

The  town  records  show  that  the  towm,  as  a  civil  body,  had  a 
voice  in  the  settlement  of  Mr.  Green.  Mr.  Green  was  the  first 
settled  minister  in  town,  but  for  some  reason  not  clear  some  dispute 
arose  in  the  matter  of  right  of  land,  and  October  3,  1787,  as  ap- 
pears on  the  town  records,  a  committee  "was  appointed  to  agree 
on  a  settlement  of  the  affair. "  This  committee  reported  as  appears 
on  the  same  day,  "That  the  right  of  land  for  the  first  settled  min- 
ister in  town  be  equally  divided,  in  quantity  and  quality,  between 
the  Presbyterian  and  Baptist  churches. " 

In  the  records  of  a  to\\Ti  meeting  held  December  '24,  1793, 
this  entry  is  found:  "A  motion  was  made  to  try  the  minds  of  the 
meeting  to  know  whether  they  are  agreed  in  Elder  Henry  Green  as 
a  minister  for  the  towai  of  Wallingford,  unanimously  voted  in  the 
aflBrmative.  Then  voted  that  Elder  Green  for  the  time  being  be 
apointed  for  the  examination  and  approbation  of  regular  min- 
isters of  the  Baptist,  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  orders  to 
preach  with  us  occasionally."  What  the  town,  as  such,  had  to  do 
with  this  matter  is  not  so  clear  at  this  day. 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

A  somewhat  unusual  matter  is  to  be  found  in  the  church 
record  of  April  30,  1789.  It  seems  there  were  two  classes  under 
consideration;  some  who  were  comparative  strangers  would  wish  to 
unite  with  the  church.  Concerning  these  it  was  determined  the 
church  was  in  duty  bound  "to  extend  their  watch  and  care  over 
them  for  such  a  term  of  time  as  shall  be  necessary  to  form  a  suitable 
acquaintance."  But  the  other  class,  it  appears,  did  not  want  to  be 
in  church  membership,  hence  this  vote:  "If  any  person  wishes 
their  watch  and  care,  for  the  benefit  of  good  christian  society,  it  is 
our  duty  as  individuals  to  watch  over  them,  but  not  as  a  church 
act."  Some  cases  of  watch  and  care  were  immediately  acted  upon 
in  accordance  wnth  this  rule. 

Wednesday,  June  20,  1792,  Colborn  Preston,  formerly  a  mem- 
ber of  Elder  Rich 's  church,  was  ordained  by  a  council  as  deacon. 
Preceding  the  ordination,  Mr.  Preston  gave  a  relation  of  his  travail 
and  call  to  the  office  of  deacon,  with  his  ideas  of  the  duty  in  the  same. 

A  question  concerning  infants  came  up  at  a  church  meeting, 
December  27th,  1792.  "  Brother  Stephen  Arnold  manifested  a  wish 
to  know  the  sentiment  of  the  church  in  respect  to  dedication  of 
infants  in  public."  The  church  manifested  their  minds  as  follows: 
"That  every  brother  or  sister  hath  a  right  in  any  public  meeting 
to  ask  the  privilege  of  having  mention  made  in  public  prayer, 
either  in  sickness  or  recovery;  and  if  any  brother  or  sister  have  a 
child  bom  and  wish  mention  to  be  made  publicly  of  their  thanks- 
giving, and  wish  to  dedicate  themselves  and  child  to  God,  and  wish 
for  wisdom  to  train  it  up  in  the  nurture  and  admonition  of  the  Lord, 
either  having  the  child  at  home  or  at  meeting;  if  the  child  be  at 
meeting,  that  mention  be  made  to  the  public,  without  presenting 
the  child  to  the  minister. "  So  careful  and  judicious  was  this  early 
church  in  dealing  with  a  question  which  has  caused  so  much  dis- 
cussion and,  as  we  believe,  unscriptural  practice. 

For  many  years  the  church  held  its  preaching  services  and 
conference  meetings  in  private  houses,  sometimes  in  one  place, 
sometimes  in  another.  Some  meetings  were  held  in  Mount  Holly 
before  a  church  was  organized  there.  The  members  were  widely 
scattered  and  much  inconvenience  was  experienced.  Propositions 
to  build  a  meeting-house  were,  from  time,  to  time,  considered,  but 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  31 

it  was  difficult  to  agree  upon  a  place.  The  Clarendon  church  wanted 
the  services  of  the  pastor  of  the  Wallingford  church  part  of  the 
time  and  objected  to  some  of  the  locations  proposed.  To  settle 
the  question  a  council  was  called.  Their  decision  was  that  the 
Clarendon  i)eople  ought  to  consent  for  Elder  Green  to  preach  con- 
stantly in  the  town  of  Wallingford  at  such  place  as  may  best  ac- 
commodate the  church  in  Wallingford,  and  the  inhabitants  in  said 
towTi.  The  council  also  set  a  stake  where,  in  their  judgment,  the 
meeting-house  ought  to  be  built;  and  their  advice  was  accepted,  a 
tax  raised  and  a  meeting-house  erected  and  finished  in  1800.  It 
was  used  by  Baptists  and  Congregationalists  for  the  most  part, 
but  occasionally  occupied  by  others. 

May  30,  1798,  seventeen  members  were  dismissed  and  or- 
ganized into  an  independent  church  in  ('larendon,  William  Har- 
rington being  ordained  their  pastor  the  same  day,  by  a  council 
called  by  this  church. 

Sanford  Moon  was  ordained  deacon,  May  25, 1803.  This  is  the 
last  occasion  on  which  a  deacon  has  been  ordained  by  this  church. 

Without  any  general  revival  the  membership  of  the  church 
increased  from  fifty-eight,  in  1789,  to  eighty-nine,  in  1795.  In  the 
revival  of  1798-1800,  forty-one  were  received  by  baptism,  besides 
those  received  by  letter,  and  in  1802,  the  membership  was  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty-eight. 

In  1795,  and  again  in  1800,  the  Association  met  with  this 
church,  and  in  January,  1796,  there  was  a  meeting  of  delegates 
from  the  churches  of  the  Vermont  Association,  held  hereto  "revise 
and  make  amendments  to  the  constitution  of  the  Vermont  Associa- 
tion. "  The  result  of  their  labors  was  printed  in  a  pamphlet.  After 
being  discussed  at  three  successive  annual  meetings  of  the  Associa- 
tion it  was,  after  some  amendment,  adopted  in  1798. 

In  1804,  the  most  extensive  revival  ever  enjoyed  by  the  church 
occurred.  Some  of  the  time  baptisms  occurred  every  week,  and  in 
a  period  of  six  months  one  hundred  and  fourteen  were  added  to 
the  church.  In  1805,  the  membership  was  reported  at  two  hundred 
and  twenty -five,  the  largest  it  ever  attained. 

A  considerable  number  of  the  members  of  this  church  were 
living  at  Mount  Holly,  and  the  church  had  voted  to  have  Elder 
Green  and  others  go  there  at  sundry  times  and  hold  meetings  and 


32  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

administer  the  ordinances.  In  1801,  a  council  was  called,  which  did 
not  deem  it  advisable  to  have  a  separate  church  there.  Finally  a 
council  met  September  6,  1804,  and  twenty-three  members  from 
this  church  were  recognized  as  an  independent  body.  Around  this 
nucleus.  Rev.  Daniel  Packer  subsequently  gathered  a  church  exceed- 
ing four  hundred  in  its  membership. 

In  financial  matters,  the  church  from  the  first  held  theoretically 
to  an  adjustment  of  the  pecuniary  burdens  of  the  church  upon  all 
the  members.  In  1789,  the  church  voted  "That  when  any  wants  or 
necessities  of  the  church  appear,  the  deacons  shall  call  for  a  con- 
tribution, keep  an  account  of  what  each  contributes,  and  lay  it  be- 
fore the  church.  And  if  any  have  not  come  up  to  their  duty  they 
are  to  be  admonished;  and  if  any  have  overdone  they  are 
to  be  abated,  according  to  the  judgment  of  the  church  for  that 
purpose,  that  there  may  be  an  equality  in  the  church."  Two  prin- 
ciples are  here  asserted ;  one  that  every  meml)er  is  to  give  something 
according  as  the  Lord  hath  prospered  him,  this  being  in  strict  ac- 
cordance with  the  eleventh  of  the  articles  of  faith  before  noted; 
there  is  to  be  a  division  of  burdens.  The  church  was  to  be  the  final 
judge.  Another  scriptural  principle  recognized  in  the  vote  of  1789, 
is  that  the  deacons  are  to  be  the  business  managers  of  the  church. 
One  scripture  principle  seems  not  to  have  been  recognized  with 
equal  clearness,  and  that  is  liberality  in  deahng  with  the  pastor. 
At  first  the  compensation  was  in  the  form  of  some  assistance  in  his 
farm  work.  April  18,  1799,  it  was  agreed  to  give  Elder  Green  forty 
dollars  this  year  in  cattle  or  grain.  The  next  year  it  was  increased 
to  eighty-five  dollars.  In  1801,  the  church  agreed  to  raise  one  penny 
on  the  pound  on  their  church  list  for  the  assistance  of  Elder  Green 
the  present  season.  This  would  be  about  four  dollars  and  twenty 
cents  on  a  thousand  dollars.  The  same  amount  was  assessed  the 
two  following  years.  In  October,  1805,  there  was  an  arrearage.  It 
was  voted  that  this  debt  should  be^  paid,  forty  dollars  for  the 
then  current  year,  and  one  hundred  dollars  per  year  in  the  future, 
and  that  the  Elder  should  be  assisted  one  day  in  the  winter  to  get 
his  wood;  but  this  was  not  done  till  Mr.  Green  had  asked  for  his 
dismission  from  the  pastorate  on  account  of  his  small  salary.  In 
1806,  he  was  allowed  to  go  to  West  Clarendon  half  the  time.  The 
records  do  not  state,  but  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  his  dissolving 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  33 

of  the  pastoral  relation  in  January,  1807,  was  occasioned  by  lack 
of  financial  support.  The  church  thus  lost  a  faithful  pastor.  The 
years  immediately  following  were  marred  by  dissensions  and  bicker- 
ings which  might  have  been  avoided. 


Chapter  II 
SHAFTSBURY  ASSOCIATION 

The  association  of  churches  had  its  origin  in  an  impulse  as 
natural  and  instinctive  as  that  which  led  the  early  disciples  to  meet 
often  of  one  accord  in  one  place.  The  natural  longing  for  fellow- 
ship in  worship  and  in  work  accounts  for  the  organization  of  both 
churches  and  associations  of  churches. 

For  twelve  years  the  Baptist  church  in  Shaftsbury  lived  in 
isolation.  It  was  a  lone  star  in  Vermont,  save  for  the  brief  period 
when  the  church  in  Pownal  was  visible.  To  the  north  were  no 
other  Baptist  churches.  To  the  south,  in  Ma^achusetts,  was  the 
Baptist  church  in  Cheshire,  organized  about  1770. 

In  the  year  1780,  a  Second  Baptist  church  was  organized  in 
Shaftsbury,  largely  from  members  of  the  First  church.  About  the 
same  time  two  churches  were  organized  across  the  New  York  line; 
one  in  Stillwater  and  one  in  White  Creek,  from  fragments  of  earlier 
organizations,  which  had  been  scattered  by  the  devastations  of  the 
war  of  the  Re\'olution. 

Between  the  two  older  churches  and  the  three  younger  ones, 
there  was  a  natural  bond  of  fellowship,  and  they  formed  an  as- 
sociation in  1780,  and  on  the  12th  day  of  June,  1781,  held  their 
first  anniversary  in  Shaftsbury,  and  assumed  the  name  of  The 
Shaftsbury  Association,  an  honorable  name  from  that  time  till  now. 

This  little  organization  became  the  rallying  point  for  churches 
over  a  wide  area,  until  it  included  in  its  membership  churches  in 
what  are  now  seventeen  counties  in  three  states,  to  which  should 
be  added  five  churches  in  Upper  Canada,  beyond  the  waters  of  the 
Niagara  River. 

At  the  first  anniversary  of  this  body,  held  with  the  First 
Shaftsbury  church,  June  11,  1781,  Lemuel  Powers  was  ordained, 
probably  at  the  request  of  the  Stillwater  church,  that  he  might  be- 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

come  their  pastor;  as  his  name  stands  connected  with  this  church 
just  before  and  just  after  this  event.  Mr.  Powers  was  pastor  of  this 
church  and  a  member  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  till  the  time 
of  his  death,  about  twenty  years.  Stillwater  was  his  only  pastorate 
and  a  very  successful  one,  as  the  church  increased  in  numbers  till, 
in  1793,  it  reached  four  hundred  and  thirteen.  In  1789,  thirty -three 
were  baptized;  in  1791,  one  hundred  and  eighty -two ;  in  1793,  ninety- 
one;  and  in  1790,  another  church  was  added  to  his  which  had  been 
gathered  in  the  same  town  by  Beriah  Kelly.  For  several  years  the 
Stillwater  Church  was  the  largest  church  in  the  Association.  Mr. 
Powers  was  chosen  moderator  of  the  Association  in  1797,  a  position 
of  honor  in  that  large  body  of  forty-eight  churches  and  three  thou- 
sand five  hundred  members.  This  may  have  been  the  last  time  he 
attended  the  Association,  as  he  is  known  to  have  been  absent  in  1799 
and  is  reported  as  having  died  in  1800.  President  Millard  Fillmore 
married  a  daughter  of  Elder  Powers. 

The  following  conspicuous  notice  appears  in  the  minutes  of 
1797 :  "  TAKE  NOTICE !  A  certain  man  has  been  traveling  around 
the  country  in  the  profession  of  the  ministry,  sometimes  calling 
himself  Dudley  Young,  and  at  other  times  Peter  Powers,  alias 
Walter  Powers.  He  was  whipped  last  fall  at  Northampton,  for 
stealing  a  horse,  and  declared  he  was  Elder  Lemuel  Powers  of 
Stillwater.  Who  the  fugitive  is  we  know  not,  but  take  this  method 
of  clearing  the  character  of  Lemuel  Powers  of  the  charges  that  were 
proved  upon  the  vagrant.  Eldef  Powers  is  a  large  fat  man  with 
large  eyes;  but  the  counterfeit  is  a  slim  man  with  small  eyes. " 

So  large  a  portion  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  was  for  years 
outside  of  Vermont,  and  so  small  a  portion  within  it  that  a  history 
of  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  would  hardly  include  a  full  history  of 
the  Shaftsbury  Association;  but  from  the  first  the  Vermont  churches 
were  influential  in  this  body  and  bore  their  full  share  of  its  important 
and  interesting  work.  Five  years  after  its  organization,  the  Associa- 
tion numbered  fifteen  churches,  in  which  number  is  included  two 
other  Vermont  churches,  the  Wallingford,  and  the  Halifax.  None 
of  these  churches  had  pastors  at  that  time. 

The  founders  of  the  Association  had  clear  and  definite  ideas  as 
to  the  powers  and  limitations  of  an  association,  and  these  they 
placed  on  record  by  publishing  in  their  minutes,  in  1791,  a  paper 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  37 

prepared  by  Elder  Caleb  Blood  as  a  circular  letter.  The  first  part 
of  the  letter  concerns  the  nature,  business,  power  and  government 
of  a  christian  church;  the  second  part  concerns  the  association,  and 
because  it  contains  ideas  on  this  subject,  held  and  practiced  by  as- 
sociations generally  at  that  time,  may  well  be  included  as  an  im- 
portant part  of  our  history. 

"By  an  association  we  mean  no  more  than  a  number  of 
churches  in  sister  relation,  mutually  agreeing  to  meet  by  their  dele- 
gates at  stated  seasons,  for  free  conference  on  those  matters  that 
concern  the  general  good  of  the  churches;  that  we  might  be  mutual 
helpers  to  each  other,  by  giving  and  receiving  intelligence  of  each 
other's  welfare;  that  we  may  sympathize  with  and  pray  for  each 
other,  and  so  be  partners  in  the  joys  and  sorrows  that  await  us  in 
this  changing  world. 

"In  which  conference  any  church  has  a  right  to  propose  any 
question  that  relates  to  doctrine  or  discipline,  provided  that  such 
questions  are  always  so  circumstanced  that  the  solution  of  them 
will  not  interfere  with  the  goveriiment  of  particular  churches.  On 
authentic  information  of  the  purity  of  faith  and  practice  of  any 
sister  church,  which  desires  to  be  received  as  a  member  of  the  con- 
ference, it  is  the  privilege  and  liberty  of  this  association  to  give  them 
fellowship,  and  to  receive  them  as  a  member  of  this  conference. 
But  in  case  any  church  or  churches  shall  apostatize  from  the  faith, 
and  become  corrupt,  on  information  from  sister  churches,  w^ho  have 
taken  gospel  steps  to  reclaim  them,  and  have  not  succeeded,  but 
have  necessarily  been  called  'to  withdraw  from  them, '  it  is  the  duty 
of  this  association  to  sympathize  with  those  grieved  churches  in 
their  sorrows,  and  to  inform  the  churches  in  general,  that  we  con- 
sider those  churches  who  have  fallen  no  longer  in  our  fellowship. 
It  is  (also)  the  duty  of  this  association  to  give  information  of 
apostates  and  corrupt  men  in  the  ministry,  that  the  churches  may 
not  be  imposed  upon  by  them.  In  case  any  church  that  is  a  mem- 
ber of  this  conference  shall  neglect  to  attend  with  us  in  conference, 
it  is  but  an  act  of  brotherly  kindness  in  us  to  inquire  into  the  rea- 
son for  such  neglect;  and  if  any  church  chooses  not  to  meet  any  more 
with  us,  in  this  manner,  it  is  reasonable  they  should  let  us  know  it, 
in  a  christian  way.    If  any  church  think  it  best  not  to  continue  a 


38  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

member  of  this  meeting,  it  is  unreasonable  to  publish  their  names 
annexed  to  the  transactions  of  the  meeting,  of  which  they  did  not 
consider  themselves  members. 

"In  such  cases  we  may  drop  them  from  our  minutes,  and  pub- 
lish the  reasons  for  so  doing.  But  any  church  not  becoming  or  con- 
tinuing a  member  of  this  conference,  is  not  considered  a  bar  of  our 
fellowship  with  them. 

"  Finally,  brethren,  we  consider  ourselves  to  have  no  'power  as 
an  association  to  determine  any  cases  of  discipline  in  the  churches, 
but  we  are  only  to  give  our  advice  and  opinion  in  those  points,  and 
intelligence,  in  such  matters  as  come  within  the  limits  of  a  free 
christian  conference. 

""From  what  has  been  said,  we  learn  that  it  is  the  church  only, 
and  not  an  association  of  churches  or  of  ministers  that  is  authorized 
to  execute  church  discipline. 

"We  are  sensible  that  some  may  object  to  this  and  say  that 
the  church  is  imperfect  and  liable  to  make  wrong  judgments. 
True,  but  if  we  admit  of  decisive  councils  to  whose  judgment  the 
church  must  submit,  if  their  judgment  is  in  opposition  of  the 
church,  and  the  church  is  not  convinced  that  they  were  wrong,— 
they  cannot  restore  the  member  rejected,  without  counteracting 
their  own  judgment;  and  if  they  do  it  ujion  the  judgment  of  others, 
still  they  can  have  no  more  fellowship  with  such  a  person  than  be- 
fore. It  appears  hence,  that  decisive  councils  immediately  militate 
against  real  fellowship,  and  gospel  union  in  the  churches.  But 
councils  for  advice  only  in  difficult  cases  are  useful.  In  this  way 
churches  and  brethren  may  gain  light,  and  all  their  difficulties  be 
happily  settled. " 

The  Association  scrupulously  kept  itself  within  the  bounds  thus 
carefully  defined.  It  entered  into  correspondence  with  other  as- 
sociations, recei\ed  delegates  from  them,  and  sent  messengers  to 
them,  and  thus  kept  in  touch  with  the  rapidly  increasing  number  of 
Baptist  organizations.  Its  circular  letters  were  carefully  prepared 
and  were  upon  vital  subjects. 

The  period  from  1792  to  1800  was  one  of  rapid  development. 
From  twenty -six  churches,  nineteen  ministers,  and  seventeen  hun- 
dred and  fifty-four  members,  it  increased  to  forty -six  churches,  having 
thirty-three  ministers,  and  more  than  forty-one  hundred  members. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  39 

after  dismissing  several  churches  to  other  bodies.  Elder  Caleb 
Blood  and  Elder  Caleb  Nichols,  representing  respectively  the  fourth 
Shaftsbury  and  the  Po\^^lal  churches,  were  among  the  most  promi- 
nent and  influential  ministers  in  the  Association.  The  Pownal 
church  united  with  the  Asociation  in  1793,  and  the  year  following 
entertained  the  Association  under  happiest  circumstances;  the 
church  having  received  during  the  year  previous  sixty -four  new  mem- 
bers, bringing  its  membership  up  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven. 

The  Otsego  Association  was  organized  in  1796,  and  came  into 
most  sympathetic  relation  to  the  Shaftsbury,  as  was  natural,  for 
several  of  the  infant  churches  had  been  planted  and  watered  by 
Elders  Blood,  Nichols,  Cornell  and  Craw. 

The  year  1789  witnessed  a  gracious  revival  in  many  of  the 
churches,  none  being  more  favored  than  the  Fourth  Shaftsbury,  a 
full  account  of  which  will  be  given  in  another  chapter.  One  hun- 
dred and  seventy-one  were  added  to  that  church  during  that  event- 
ful year. 

The  correspondence  of  the  Association  widely  increased  till, 
in  1799,  there  were  twenty -two  associations  sending  minutes  or 
messengers,  thirteen  of  these  associations  being  south  of  Phila- 
delphia. 

To  this  Association,  in  1797,  came  messengers  from  the  Stoning- 
ton,  Warren,  Leyden,  Vermont,  and  Philadelphia  associations  and 
took  seats  with  them,  and  minutes  were  received  from  a  number  of 
Virginia  and  North  Carolina  associations.  A  worthy  company  of 
men  were  present.  The  names  of  these  pastors  and  delegates  are 
suggestive  of  old-time  family  religion.  Parents  name  their  children 
after  those  whom  they  honor,  and  pray  that  they  may  be  worthy 
of  tlie  name;  and  no  names  were  so  common  in  early  days  as  those  of 
Bible  characters.  Here  are  ninety-eight  names  and  all  but  fifteen 
are  Biblical.  To  read  them  is  like  a  wide  review  of  Scripture  history. 
Thomas,  Elisha,  John,  Isaac,  Peter,  Stephen,  Daniel,  Abijah,  Mat- 
thew, Nathan,  Samuel,  Joseph,  Eli,  Jeduthan,  Joshua,  Ezra,  Abel, 
Israel,  Ezekiel,  Issacher,  Jonathan,  Aaron,  Gamaliel,  Hezekiah, 
Lemuel,  Benjamin,  Caleb,  Judah,  Reuben,  Jesse,  Jeremiah,  James, 
Sylvanus,  Thaddeus,  Ebenezer,  Elijah,  Lazarus,  Solomon. 

This  session,  in  1880,  was  held  in  Elder  Blood's  meeting-house 
in  Shaftsbury,  and  he  was  chosen  moderator.   By  this  time  the  Asso- 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ciation  consisted  of  forty-six  churches  with  a  total  membership  of 
forty-one  hundred  and  twenty -seven.  A  painful  feature  of  this  ses- 
sion was  the  disfellowshiping  of  two  churches,  on  account  of  the  con- 
duct of  their  pastors,  and  the  failure  of  the  churches  to  take  satisfac- 
tory action  in  the  premises. 

An  appeal  for  help  came  at  this  time  from  the  Partridge vi lie 
church,  stating  "that  they  were  in  distress,  by  being  taxed,  and 
having  their  proper'ty  sold  at  public  auction,  to  assist  in  building  a 
Congregational  meeting-house;  that  there  was  some  hope  of  ob- 
taining redress  if  they  could  raise  money  enough  to  carry  on  a  suit 
at  law."  They  therefore  requested  the  advice  and  assistance  of  the 
Association  in  their  embarrassed  situation.  After  some  delibera- 
tion, it  was  proposed  to  request  a  contribution  immediately,  for 
their  assistance;  $45.50  were  collected.  The  Association  also 
advised  them  to  strive  to  be  at  peace  with  all  men,  but  at  the 
same  time  to  use  all  lav^^ul  endeavors  to  preserve  inviolate  the 
rights  of  conscience  and  propertjs  "And  as  we  think  the  conduct 
complained  of  is  in  violation  of  both  we  conclude  that  they  have  a 
right  to  stand  in  their  own  defence;  and  do  promise  to  afford  them 
further  assistance  if  needed  to  relieve  them  from  their  present  dis- 
tress." In  order  to  carry  out  the  above  mentioned  purpose  the 
Association  appointed  Elders  Werden,  Leland  and  Smith  a  com- 
mittee to  deliver  the  money  collected  and  to  report  to  the  churches 
what  further  assistance  they  might  need. 

1801  marks  the  beginning  of  a  new  era  in  associational  work. 
At  this  session,  the  Shaftsbury  Association  became  emphatically 
a  missionary  body  in  a  wide  sense.  Elder  Caleb  Blood  preached  the 
introductory  sermon  on  the  text  Matt.  23:  8.  "Be  not  ye  called 
Rabbi,  for  one  is  your  master  even  Christ,  and  all  ye  are  brethren." 
The  customary  routine  of  business  was  followed.  The  proposition 
from  the  Philadelphia  Association  respecting  a  General  Confer- 
ence was  considered  and  after  deliberation  it  was  concluded  that, 
"at  present,  we  have  not  sufficient  light  on  the  subject,  to  see  the 
utility  of  such  a  combination ;  therefore,  voted  not  to  engage  there- 
in till  we  have  further  light  thereon." 

Then  Elder  Lemuel  Covell,  of  Pittstown,  rose  and  made  a 
proposition  for  "raising  a  fund  by  contribution,  for  the  purpose  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  41 

sending  missionaries  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  destitute  parts  of  our 
frontier  settlements,  and  as  far  as  we  may  have  opportunity,  among 
the  Natives  of  the  Wilderness."  The  mover  of  this  proposition  was 
the  pastor  of  the  Pittstown  church.  He  was  a  man  of  slender  con- 
stitution, subject  to  frequent  attacks  of  disease,  aggravated,  no 
doubt,  by  his  intense  labors  of  various  kinds.  He  was  a  man  of  more 
than  average  ability,  and  his  natural  talents  had  been  so  improved 
that  he  was  a  very  interesting  and  acceptable  preacher.  He  la- 
bored under  many  seeming  disadvantages,  from  the  depressed 
state  of  his  outward  circumstances  by  which  his  sphere  of  useful- 
ness was  considerably  circumscribed.  It  was  not  his  lot  to  be 
favored  with  much  of  this  world's  goods.  He  was  one  of  the  poor, 
whom  God  chose  to  be  rich  in  faith  and  inheritors  of  the  kingdom. 
Preaching  was  his  element.  The  doctrine  of  salvation  by  the  cross 
was  his  grand  theme  on  which  he  dwelt  with  peculiar  pleasure.  His 
voice  was  clear  and  majestic  and  his  address  manly  and  engaging. 
Few  could  hear  without  feeling  in  some  degree  the  force  of  truth. 
This  man's  heart  was  yearning  for  those  who,  scattered  abroad,  had 
not  the  privileges  of  the  Gospel,  and  he  was  as  ready  to  go  himself 
on  such  errands  as  to  send  others,  and  did  go  and  shortly  fell  in 
the  midst  of  missionary  efforts. 

His  proposal  was  received  with  marked  favor  and  it  was  voted 
to  recommend  to  the  churches  to  take  it  into  mature  consideration; 
"and  those  who  are  disposed  to  adopt  so  benevolent  a  plan  to  sig- 
nify it  in  their  letters  at  our  next  session;  and  likewise  to  make 
liberal  contribution  and  send  it  forward  at  the  same  time  to  begin 
said  fund,  to  be  entrusted  in  the  hands  of  such  Committee  or  Trust- 
ees as  the  Association  shall  appoint  to  receive  the  same,  and  ap- 
propriate it  to  the  above  use  as  they  shall  from  time  to  time  think 
proper.  And  to  contribute  annually  for  the  support  of  the  same  till 
the  churches  contributing  shall  judge  they  have  suflScient  cause  to 
discontinue  such  contribution." 

Before  the  close  of  the  session.  Brethren  Elder  Joshua  Craw, 
and  Elder  Samuel  Rogers  expressed  their  intention  to  travel  abroad 
in  the  course  of  the  year  for  the  purpose  of  visiting  and  preaching  in 
the  distant  parts  of  the  wilderness,  and  the  Association  gave  them 
recommendations  and  encouragement  and  promise  of  prayers. 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

At  the  next  session,  1802,  a  plan  proposed  by  Mr.  Cornell  was 
adopted.  The  plan  was  the  appointment  of  a  "Committee  charged 
with  Missionary  Contributions,"  consisting  of  six  ministers  and 
six  laymen,  who  should  have  charge  of  the  money  contributed  by 
the  churches  for  the  maintenance  of  missionary  effort,  who  should 
examine  missionaries  and  recommend  those  whom  they  approved, 
and  determine  the  time  and  place  of  their  labors,  which  should  be 
in  the  new  settlements  of  the  United  States  and  Canada  where  the 
inhabitants  were  destitute  of  the  preached  word  and  unable  to  ob- 
tain it.  They  were  to  pay  the  missionaries  sufficient  for  their  ex- 
penses and  no  more.  The  missionaries  were  to  keep  careful  account 
of  their  expenses  and  restore  to  the  treasury  any  surplus  above 
their  expenses,  and  to  make  a  full  report  of  their  work.  In  accord- 
ance with  this  plan  the  first  Committee  appointed  consisted  of 
Elders  Abijah  Peck,  Caleb  Blood,  Isaac  Webb,  Justus  Hall,  Joseph 
Craw,  and  Lemuel  Covell;  laymen.  Deacon  WilHam  Stillwell, 
John  Rouse,  Joshua  Mattison,  Isaac  Brewster,  Stephen  Carpenter, 
and  James  Green. 

Under  this  plan  the  Association  began  at  once  its  beneficent 
missionary  work,  which  was  to  continue  for  many  years.  Elder 
Caleb  Blood,  one  of  the  first  Committee,  was  one  of  the  first  to 
volunteer  for  the  difficult  and  sacred  service.  The  account  of  his 
first  missionary  journey  has  been  preserved,  and  as  illustrative  of 
the  pioneer  work  of  these  missionaries  it  is  full  of  interest. 

Until  1 806,  the  Association  carried  on  its  missionary  work  on 
the  association  committee  plan,  without  any  separate  organiza- 
tion. At  this  time,  however,  there  developed  a  difference  of  senti- 
ment among  the  brethren  as  to  the  best  method  to  be  followed  in 
missionary  work.  Some  were  convinced  that  a  society  was  essen- 
tial to  the  highest  success.  A  plan  for  a  missionary  society  was 
drawn  up,  and  an  organization  effected  assuming  the  name  of  The 
New  York  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and  later  finding  that  an- 
other society  had  taken  the  same  name,  this  society  added  to  its 
name  "Northern" — "The  New  York  Northern  Baptist  Missionary 
Society." 

The  Association,  however,  continued  to  work  as  before  through 
its   committee,  and  the  contributions  of  persons  interested  were 


HISTORY  OB"  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  43 

given,  some  to  the  society,  and  some  to  the  committee,  and  each 
made  reports  of  their  receipts.  The  committee  and  the  trustees 
of  the  society  met  at  the  same  time  and  place  and  planned  and 
worked  together. 

Concerning  this  duplex  missionary  work.  Rev.  A.  L.  Vail  in 
"The  Morning  Hour  of  American  Baptist  Missions,"  writes,  "The 
special  interest  to  us  in  this  story  is  that  it  exhibits  the  contest  be- 
tween the  association  and  society  methods  in  missions  as  it  is  ex- 
hibited nowhere  else  in  our  period. 

"Remember  that,  in  1797,  on  this  same  territory,  an  interdenom- 
inational missionary  society  had  been  established  on  a  plan  of  dis- 
tricts which  was  adopted,  in  1806,  by  the  Baptist  society,  and  ap- 
peared nowhere  else  among  Baptists.  This  indicates  intimacy  be- 
tween the  Baptist  and  the  Pedobaptist  missionary  forces  on  this 
field ;  and  that  when  the  Shaftsbury  Association  launched  its  plan 
of  missions,  it  did  so  against  the  influence  not  only  of  Boston,  but 
of  its  immediate  missionary  neighbors  in  other  denominations,  with 
whom  some  of  its  people  had  probably  been  associated  in  the  older 
society,  just  as  the  same  two  classes  of  people  were  associated  in  the 
original  society  in  the  city.  And  the  Baptist  conflict  on  the  upper 
Hudson  over  two  plans,  extending  through  a  decade,  indicates 
somewhat  clear  convictions  and  pungent  discussions  not  now  in 
view.  This,  however,  does  not  mean  any  disturbance  of  fellowship, 
the  indications  being  that  it  was  a  cordial  contest  between  prefer- 
ences." 

This  missionary  work  was  carried  on  by  a  noble  company  of 
men,  the  full  record  of  which  can  never  be  given.  By  far  the  larger 
part  of  the  work  was  done  in  western  and  northern  New  York  and 
in  Canada.  Comparatively  little  in  Vermont,  and  that  in  the  ex- 
treme northern  portion. 

Summing  up  the  chapter  of  this  association,  ending  with  1811, 
Stephen  Wright,  in  his  History  of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  says : 
"The  services  of  a  Blood,  Covell,  Warren,  Finch,  Gorton,  Asahel 
Morse,  C.  Chamberlain,  N.  Kendrick,  Haskall,  Witherell,  and  An- 
drews,— who  labored  under  the  patronage  of  this  body,^ — cannot  be 
valued  till  the  revelations  of  the  final  day  shall  tell  what  good  they 
did   in  comforting  God's  people,  awakening  sinners,  encouraging 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IX  VERMONT 

feeble  churches,  and  setting  in  order  the  things  that  were  wanting 
in  a  hundred  places  whither  their  footsteps  were  directed  by  the 
great  Head  of  the  church  in  the  wildernesses  of  Northern  and 
Western  New  York  and  of  Canada  West." 

Although  some  fifteen  churches  had  been  dismissed  by  the 
formation  of  the  Saratoga  Association  and  others  had  been  dropped, 
there  had  been  a  great  gain  in  the  Association  during  the  period 
from  1786-1800,  and  at  the  close  it  numbered  but  eleven  less 
churches  and  four  hundred  less  members,  while  some  three  thou- 
sand had  been  added  to  all  the  churches  in  the  same  time.  Only  a 
few  of  the  churches  were  in  Vermont;  these  were  the  First,  Second 
and  Fourth  Shaftsbury  and  Pownal. 

By  transfer  of  churches  to  other  associations  more  conven- 
iently near,  the  Shaftsbury  Association  became  reduced  in  number 
till,  in  1854,  it  consisted  of  but  five  churches;  first  Bennington, 
one  hundred  and  twenty -four  members ;  second  Bennington,  one  hun- 
dred and  fourteen  members ;  first  Hoosick,  one  hundred ;  Manches- 
ter, ninety-one;  Shaf  tsbur\%  one  hundred  and  sixty -five. 

In  1855,  the  Shaftsbury  Association  united  w^th  the  Vermont 
Association  under  the  name  of  The  Shaftsbury  and  Vermont  As- 
sociation. 

In  1878,  the  name  was  changed  by  the  omission  of  "Vermont" 
to  the  Shaftsbury  Association  w4th  the  note,  "Shaftsbury  formed 
in  1780,  Vermont  formed  1785.     United  in  1855." 

In  1910,  under  the  name  of  The  Shaftsbury  Association,  were 
nineteen  churches,  sixteen  pastors,  two  thousand  four  hundred  and 
ninety-four  total  membership;  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and 
twenty-six  resident  members.  The  churches  were  as  follows,  with 
the  birth  year  of  each  of  the  organizations : 

Bennington,  1827;  Brandon,  1785;  E.  Hubbardton,  1787;  E. 
Poultney,  1802;  Fair  Haven,  1867;  Hydeville,  1850;  Ira,  1783; 
Manchester  Center,  1781;  Middletown  Springs,  1784;  N.  Benning- 
ton, 1844;  Pittsfield,  1841;  Poultney,  1802;  Pownal,  1782;  Rutland, 
1823;  Shaftsbury,  1783;  Wallingford,  1780;  West  Haven,  1803; 
West  Pawlet,  1852;  West  Rutland,  1884.  Eleven  of  these  were 
among  our  pioneer  churches. 

The  history  of  primitive  associations  would  be  far  from  com- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  45 

plete  without  some  special  allusion  to  the  queries  that  were  brought 
to  them  for  answers.  These  queries  and  replies  reveal  the  problems 
and  perplexities  of  the  early  churches. 

One  of  the  first  ones  proposed  in  the  Shaftsbury  Association 
was  the  theological  question  on  which  many  were  pondering, 
"Whether  all  men  or  any  part  of  them  are  actually  discharged  from 
the  condemnation  of  the  law,  by  the  Atonement  of  Christ,  without 
the  special  application  of  that  Atonement  by  the  Holy  Spirit?" 

This  wa-i  answered  in  the  negative. 

2nd.  Whether  the  benefits  of  the  great  Atonement,  as  they 
respect  the  eternal  salvation  of  man,  are  applied  to  any  except  the 
elect.   Answered  in  the  negative. 

In  1798,  queries  on  Masonry  called  forth  the  following  reply : 

"Dear  Brethren,  As  a  number  of  our  churches  are  greatly  dis- 
tressed by  their  members  joining  with  the  Free  Masons,  for  the 
peace  of  the  church,  we  pray  such  to  desist.  If  there  is  no  moral  evil 
in  joining  with  the  Masons,  yet  it  is  sinning  against  the  weak  breth- 
ren, and  he  that  sins  against  his  weak  brother  sins  against  Christ. 
But  as  this  Association  claims  no  jurisdiction  over  the  members  of 
churches  each  church  must  judge  for  itself  according  to  facts  and 
circumstances." 

In  1803,  the  query  was  raised,  "Is  honor  done  to  the  public  cause 
of  religion  when  an  association  has  published  advice  in  their  min- 
utes to  the  churches  not  to  allow  their  members  to  associate  with 
Free  Mason  Lodges,  and  have  declared  against  it;  yet  give  fellow- 
ship to  brethren  of  other  associations  who  do  the  same  and  call  on 
them  to  take  seats  in  the  Association." 

This  was  referred  to  Elders  Blood,  Gray,  Warren  and  Brother 
Hezekiah  Mason,  to  report  next  meeting.  The  reply  of  this  com- 
mittee was  as  follows :  "We  think  it  proper  to  insert  in  our  minutes 
that  there  are  numbers  of  our  brethren  and  some  of  our  churches, 
who  cannot  walk  in  fellowship  with  those  brethren  who  join  with, 
and  frequent  the  Masonic  Society,  when  they  know  it  is  a  grief  to 
their  brethren;  and  that  some  have  joined  that  society,  to  the  grief 
of  others,  which  has  been  and  still  is,  the  cause  of  much  difficulty 
in  many  of  our  churches  and  has  repeatedly  occasioned  trouble  in 
this  Association.  This  has  given  rise  to  the  remarks  published  in  the 
14th  section  of  our  minutes  for  1798  on  that  subject." 


46  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

"In  order  to  prevent  further  difficulty  of  that  nature,  we  wish 
now  to  be  fairly  and  fully  understood; — That  as  to  the  propriety 
or  impropriety  of  Free  Masonry  we  do  not  as  an  association  under- 
take to  determine.  Yet,  we  freely  say,  that  inasmuch  as  our  breth- 
ren do  not  pretend  they  are  bound  in  conscience,  by  any  rule  in  the 
word  of  God,  to  unite  with  the  fraternity;  for  them  to  form  a  con- 
nection with  them  or  frequent  their  Lodges  when  they  know  it  is 
a  grief  to  their  Christian  Brethren,  and  makes  disturbance  in  the 
churches;  it  (in  our  opinion)  gives  sufficient  reason  for  others  to 
conclude  that  they  are  not  such  as  follow  after  the  things  that  make 
for  peace  and  things  whereby  one  may  edify  another  (Rom.  14:  19) 
but  rather,  are  such  as  cause  divisions  and  contentions,  contrary  to 
the  doctrine  we  have  learned,  (Rom.  14:  17,)  and  of  course  if  they 
continue  obstinately  in  such  practices,  ought  to  be  rejected  from 
fellowship;  and  consequently  it  is  not  reasonable  for  us  to  invite 
them  to  a  seat  in  our  Association.  We,  therefore,  answer  the  query 
from  the  church  at  Providence  in  the  negative.  Yet,  we  do  not  wish, 
at  present,  to  have  this  resolution  so  construed,  as  to  interrupt  our 
correspondence  with  sister  associations,  but  to  have  it  continued. 

"If  there  be  any  Brethren,  in  any  of  our  churches  or  sister  as- 
sociations, who  live  in  the  practice  of  frequenting  Masonic  Lodges, 
we  flatter  ourselves  that  such  churches  and  associations,  after  hear- 
ing our  minds  on  the  subject,  will  not  feel  disposed  to  grieve  Breth- 
ren among  us,  by  sending  such  of  their  members,  as  Delegates  to 
this  association." 

The  troubles  of  the  Part  ridge ville  church  was  the  occasion  of 
this  querj':  "Is  it  not  best,  all  things  considered,  to  endeavor  to 
promote  a  public  fund  for  the  benefit  of  suffering  churches  in  the 
Association?"  The  reply  of  the  Association  shows  that  the  period 
of  oppression  was  near  its  end.  "This  Association  esteem  it  duty 
to  afford  relief  to  churches  or  Brethren  who  are  suffering  by  op- 
pression (which  is  the  suffering  contemplated  in  the  query)  as  far 
as  we  have  opportunity,  but  as  there  are  very  few  of  our  churches 
in  a  situation  to  suffer  in  this  way,  we  do  not  think  it  necessary  to 
raise  a  fund  for  that  purpose,  but  would  recommend  it  to  churches 
who  are  suffering  to  make  known  their  wants  to  the  Association, 
and  they  will  undoubtedly  obtain  relief."    From  the  same  church 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  47 

came  the  query,  "Is  it  agreeable  to  the  gospel  for  a  church  of  Christ 
to  petition  the  civil  powers,  to  incorporate  them  into  a  religious  so- 
ciety?" Answer:  "We  view  it  derogatory  to  Zion's  King,  and 
undervaluing  his  ample  code  of  laws,  for  a  christian  church  to  ap- 
ply to  the  civil  authority  to  be  incorporated  as  bodies  politic,  for  the 
purpose  of  regulating  their  ecclesiastical  concerns,  or  forcing  their 
members  to  support  their  preachers,  or  even  for  the  sake  of  getting 
exemption  from  rehgious  oppression;  belie\dng  religion,  in  all  its 
branches,  to  be  no  object  of  civil  government,  nor  in  anywise  under 
its  control.  It  may,  nevertheless,  be  proper  in  some  states  for 
churches  to  avail  themselves  of  the  act  of  incorporation  for  the 
sole  purpose  of  holding  possessed  property." 

The  questions  concerning  pastoral  authority  suggested  this 
query:  "WTiat  duty  is  there  devolving  on  a  minister  which  does 
not  devolve  on  a  deacon,  except  to  be  the  administrator  of  the  word 
and  the  ordinances.  Answer:  "The  pastor  has  a  special  rule  (Heb. 
13:  7  and  17),  and  oversight  to  practice  which  the  deacon  has  not.'* 

Neglect  of  the  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper  by  some  mem- 
bers was  a  cause  of  grief  and  perplexity,  and  the  Association  was; 
called  on  to  give  its  voice  concerning  the  query:  "Is  it  right  to  ex- 
clude a  person  for  neglect  of  communion?"  To  this  the  careful 
reply  was  given:  "That  we  think,  as  a  general  rule,  continued  neg- 
lect of  attending  the  ordinances  of  the  Lord's  Supper  merits  ex- 
clusion. Notwithstanding,  as  such  a  neglect  may  originate  from 
different  causes,  we  think  that  these  causes  ought  by  the  church  to 
be  taken  into  consideration,  and  the  individual  so  neglecting  be 
treated  as  circumstances  may  require.  'Of  some  having  compas- 
sion, making  a  difference,  and  others  saving  with  fear,  pulling  them 
out  of  the  fire,  hating  even  the  garments  spotted  by  the  flesh. 

A  query  on  the  temperance  pledge  brought  on  an  animated  dis- 
cussion and  a  pretty  even  division  of  the  Association.  The  ques- 
tion was,  "Is  it  just  and  right  in  a  church  to  require  of  all  of  its 
members  a  pledge  of  entire  abstinence  from  all  drinks  that  are  in- 
toxicating as  a  condition  of  membership  in  good  standing?"  The 
answer  by  a  majority  of  two  was,  "Yes." 


48  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Caleb  Blood's  Account  of  His  Journey 

On  the  24th  of  August,  1802,  pursuant  to  appointment  of  the 
Shaftsbury  Association,  I  set  out  for  a  three  months'  tour  in  the 
Western  country.  I  traveled  first  in  the  northerly  and  westerly 
part  of  the  state  of  New  York,  particularly  through  the  Onondaga 
and  Genesee  countries.  Here  I  found  a  large  extent  of  country 
with  but  very  little  stated  preaching.  The  people  were  very  nu- 
merous and  anxious  to  hear.  At  some  places,  as  I  went  on  my 
journey,  there  were  evident  tokens  of  divine  power  and  grace 
among  the  people,  who  in  general  gathered  to  attend  preaching; 
but,  as  is  too  often  the  case  in  new  countries,  they  are  awfully  im- 
posed on  in  some  places  by  false  preachers,  whose  character  and 
doctrines  are  both  corrupt.  This  has  often  been  distressing  to  me, 
when  I  have  visited  the  infant  plantations  of  our  country,  and  has 
been  one  stimulus  to  my  having  so  often  visited  the  new  settle- 
ments in  former  years.  But  to  return.  When  I  came  to  Genesee 
River  I  crossed  and  went  through  the  wilderness,  where  there  were 
few  inhabitants  except  the  natives,  for  nearly  one  hundred  miles. 
I,  however,  found  two  small  settlements  of  white  people,  wath 
whom  I  attempted  to  preach.  This  tract  of  country  is  distinguished 
by  the  name  of  Hallan  Punches.  When  I  had  gotten  through  this 
wilderness  I  struck  Lake  Erie,  went  dowTi  to  its  outlet,  and  crossed 
over  into  the  westerly  part  of  Upper  Canada.  Here  I  found  large 
settlements  of  white  people,  who  understood  our  language;  but 
when  I  first  entered  the  Province  I  traveled  twenty -five  miles  be- 
fore I  found  a  house,  where  the  people  would  willingly  open  their 
doors  for  preaching,  and  scarce  any  people  were  willing  to  converse 
on  religious  subjects.  This  route  was  dowTi  the  Niagara  River  to- 
ward Lake  Ontario.  When  I  came  to  Queensto\\Ti,  I  was  introduced 
to  a  Mr.  Thompson,  a  Scotchman,  who  received  me  with  great 
hospitality  and  was  anxious  for  preaching.  With  him  I  left  my 
horse  the  next  morning,  and  went  on  foot  two  miles  down  the  river 
to  the  landing. 

I  crossed  into  the  \\'ilderness  on  this  side,  and  after  climbing 
a  precipice  of  rocks  found  a  kind  of  house  made  of  rough  logs. 
Here  I  found  Elder  Holmes,  missionary  to  the  Indians.  He  was  sit- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  49 

ting  at  a  kind  of  table  writing  on  the  business  of  his  mission.  If  you 
could  paint  to  yourself  how  you  should  feel  in  a  dreary  land,  hun- 
dreds of  miles  from  any  brethren  in  the  ministry  to  advise  with,  and 
your  soul  filled  with  concern  to  disseminate  light  among  the  poor 
heathen,  and  a  number  of  councils  to  hold  with  different  nations, 
and  no  mortal  to  assist  you  but  an  Indian  interjJreter,  you  may  guess 
what  a  meeting  we  had !  We  soon  went  on  three  miles  and  a  half  to 
the  Tuscarora  village  of  Indians,  and  held  a  council  with  that  na- 
tion, and  obtained  an  answer  to  a  talk  sent  them  from  the  New  York 
Missionary  Society  on  the  subject  of  their  receiving  the  gospel. 
This  council  was  on  Saturday.  I  tarried  with  Mr.  Holmes  and 
attended  worship  with  the  Indians  on  the  Sabbath.  After  worship 
in  the  evening  he  stated  to  me  the  circumstances  of  the  business 
with  the  Indians,  and  wished  for  my  assistance.  I  agreed  to  spend 
some  time  with  them;  accordingly  attended  three  days  with  the 
Indians. 

Mr.  Holmes,  being  otherwise  employed,  the  Indians  were  very 
attentive,  and  the  interpreter  appeared  very  pious  and  faithful. 

I  did  not  find  the  difficulty  in  preaching  by  an  interpreter  that 
I  expected.  Indeed,  to  see  the  poor  creatures  in  such  profound  ig- 
norance, and  yet  eagerly  attentive  to  hear  instruction,  I  must  say 
absorbed  all  my  feelings  beyond  any  other  preaching  I  ever  at- 
tempted in  my  life.  While  I  was  here  I  had  opportunity  to  make 
some  appointments  among  the  people  of  Upper  Canada.  On  Thurs- 
day, I  went  on  my  way  up  Lake  Ontario.  Here  I  found  large  set- 
tlements of  white  people,  and  all  destitute  of  preaching.  In  some 
settlements  it  was  hard  work  to  get  them  to  hear  preaching.  I  was 
in  some  cases  obliged  to  adopt  measures  I  had  been  wholly  un- 
accustomed to.  I  was  forced  to  go  into  settlements  and  put  up,  and 
then  go  from  house  to  house  and  beg  of  them  to  come  and  hear,  and 
did  not  give  out  when  one  after  another  told  me  they  did  not  choose 
to  attend,  and  even  when  they  said  they  would  and  did  not,  I  still 
tried  them  again.  For  when  I  could  once  get  them  to  hear  they  were 
as  anxious  to  hear  more  as  any  people  I  ever  saw.  Then  I  made  ap- 
pointments on  my  return.  Thus  I  went  on  and  preached  in  every 
settlement  until  I  had  gone  some  distance  beyond  the  head  of  Lake 
Ontario.     I  imputed  much  of  this  backwardness  in  hearing  to  the 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

people  having  been  so  greatly  imposed  upon  by  vicious  characters, 
who  had  been  among  them  in  the  profession  of  preachers.  I  must 
here  mention  a  trying  circumstance.  Word  came  to  me  with  a  re- 
quest to  go  about  fifty  miles  farther,  to  a  place  called  Long  Point 
Settlement  on  Lake  Erie,  informing  that  there  was  a  work  of  divine 
grace  in  that  place;  that  there  were  thirty  or  forty  persons  who  stood 
ready  for  baptism,  and  no  administrator  whom  they  could  obtain 
wathin  two  hundred  miles  of  them;  but  I  had  my  appointment  back 
through  the  Province  and  could  not  go  to  their  relief.  This  tried 
my  feelings  beyond  expression.  I  endeavored  to  give  the  case 
up  to  God,  and  returned  according  to  my  appointments. 

As  I  came  back  through  the  Province,  the  people  attended 
meetings,  which  were  full  and  very  solemn.  Some  hopeful  symp- 
toms of  good  appeared  among  them.  I  gave  them  encouragement 
that  we  should  send  a  missionary  among  them  next  year,  and  they 
were  anxious  that  we  should.  I  left  them  with  reluctance,  crossed 
the  water  at  the  outlet  of  Lake  Erie,  and  spent  two  weeks  with  the 
Seneca  nation  of  Indians.  These  are  thought  to  be  the  most  savage 
of  any  of  the  Six  Nations,  and  have,  therefore,  utterly  refused  to  re- 
ceive missionaries.  The  Grand  Council  of  the  Six  Nations  met 
while  I  was  there.  I  was  admitted  with  Elder  Holmes  to  attend  the 
Council  which  continued  four  days.  Our  interpreter  informed  us 
what  they  were  doing.  They  had  business  on  different  subjects, 
and  among  others  whether  they  would  follow  the  dictates  of  their 
prophet,  or  receive  the  gospel;  for  in  the  Allegany  Nation  a  prophet 
had  risen  up  who  professed  to  be  immediately  inspired  by  the  Great 
Spirit  to  teach  the  people.  He  taught  some  good  morals;  just 
enough  to  answer  the  purpose  of  Satan  to  blind  the  poor  creatures. 
He  then  urged  the  necessity  of  all  their  Pagan  worship.  It  had  been 
the  practice  of  this  nation  once  a  year  to  sacrifice  two  dogs  to  the 
Great  Spirit.  With  this  sacrifice  they  offer  a  kind  of  incense,  made 
of  compounded  spicy  herbs,  dried  and  puherized,  which  are  thrown 
into  the  fire,  a  little  at  a  time,  while  the  dogs  are  burning.  They 
close  the  scene  by  a  festival,  and  spend  a  night  in  dancing.  The 
young  warriors  are  generally  pleased  with  the  prophet,  and  love 
those  high  dances.  Great  exertions  were  made  in  the  Council  to 
depose  Red  Jacket  from  his  oflBce  as  Sachem  because  he  was  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  51 

favor  of  receiving  the  gospel,  and  would  not  submit  to  the  dictates 
of  the  prophet.  A  majority,  however,  of  the  sachems  and  chiefs  of 
the  nations  present,  with  long  speeches,  delivered  strings  of  wam- 
pum, in  confirmation  of  Red  Jacket  in  his  office.  This  is  the  famous 
orator  by  that  name  who  has  so  often  attended  public  business 
with  the  government  of  the  United  States.  The  last  interview  I  had 
with  him,  I  went  with  my  interpreter  to  his  own  wig^wam  and  spent 
some  hours  in  conversation. 

He  said,  with  tears  on  his  cheeks,  that  he  thought  it  would  be 
a  happy  thing  if  their  nation  would  receive  the  gospel;  and  that 
when  he  traveled  among  white  people,  he  noticed  that  all  good 
white  people  receive  it,  and  pray  to  the  Great  Spirit  in  their  houses; 
and  that  they  prayed  for  the  good  of  the  red  people,  as  well  as  of  the 
white  people.  He  further  plainly  saw  that  the  doctrines  that  we 
preach  to  them  tended  to  peace  and  good  order  in  society ;  but  the 
doctrine  of  their  prophet  tended  only  to  confusion.  I  pitied  the 
poor  creature,  persecuted  by  his  own  people,  without  means  of  de- 
fense. I  attended  some  of  their  meetings  where  they  were  cove- 
nanting to  follow  the  instruction  of  the  prophet.  Their  zeal  went  to 
great  extremes,  and  there  were  such  hideous  yells  interspersed  with 
their  devotions,  as  would  have  effectually  tried  my  courage  if  my 
interpreter  had  not  been  there  to  inform  me  what  they  meant.  But, 
notwithstanding  all  their  confusion,  it  was  easy  to  be  perceived,  as 
I  attended  with  them  at  the  Seneca  village,  that  light  daily  in- 
creased in  their  minds,  and  some  of  them  seemed  sensible  that  the 
temper  of  the  gospel  is  preferable  to  savage  barbarity. 

From  the  Senecas  I  went  in  company  with  Elder  Holmes 
thirty  miles  to  the  Lanlawanly  village  of  Indians,  but  the  sachems 
being  absent,  could  not  obtain  a  council  with  them  as  we  hoped. 
The  night  before  we  left  them  was  a  severe  rain,  and  a  part  of  that 
day,  being  taken  up  in  our  concern  for  the  Indians,  we  were  inat- 
tentive to  the  time  in  the  day  when  we  left  the  village,  so  that  night 
overtook  us  while  we  were  in  the  woods.  The  timber  high  and  the 
night  dark,  we  soon  found  ourselves  out  of  the  path  and  could  not 
regain  it;  accordingly  we  were  obliged  to  tarry  that  night  in  the 
wilderness.  We  were  on  low  land,  so  that  the  water  prevented  us 
from  lying  dowai  to  get  any  sleep  that  night.    We,  however,  spent 


52  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

that  time  in  religious  devotion  and  conversation;  the  hours  rolled 
away  insensibly,  and  we  passed  the  night  in  a  manner  quite  agree- 
able; we  were  glad,  however,  to  see  the  dawn  of  day.  When  the 
kind  heavens  had  given  us  light  we  found  our  path  and  went  on  our 
way.  This  day  there  was  a  storm  of  snow.  Two  days  after  I  parted 
with  Mr.  Holmes,  which  I  was  obliged  to  do  before  we  could  obtain 
a  council  with  the  different  nations,  as  we  intended.  My  obliga- 
tions and  engagements  on  my  way  home,  and  the  idea  of  leaving 
my  brother  Holmes,  to  go  through  this  business  without  any  hu- 
man assistance  but  his  Indian  interpreter,  wrought  up  every  feel- 
ing in  my  heart  to  the  highest  pitch.  Concluding,  however,  that 
anxiety  could  do  no  good,  I  endeavored  to  resign  the  matter  to 
Him,  who  can  give  to  all  his  servants  strength  equal  to  their  day. 
I  then  pursued  my  way  home,  preaching  through  the  country 
as  I  came.  The  kind  Lord  returned  me  in  safety  to  my  family 
and  people,  and  I  found  all  things  well. 

The  experiences  of  Elder  Blood  here  related  were  probably  no 
more  trying  and  eventful  than  those  of  many  of  his  brethren  who 
from  year  to  year  followed  in  his  paths.  A  volume  of  thrilling  in- 
terest could  be  written  if  the  reports  of  the  other  missionaries  had 
been  as  fully  related  and  as  carefully  preserved.  Among  these 
zealous  missionaries  were  Joseph  Cornell,  Calvin  Chamberlain, 
Nathaniel  Kendrick,  Solomon  Bro^vii,  Daniel  Haskall,  George 
Witherell,  Ebenezer  Smith  and  Cyrus  Andrews. 

The  pitiable  condition  of  the  Indians  appealed  to  the  sympa- 
thy of  these  brethren,  and  they  gave  them  no  little  attention,  win- 
ning their  confidence  and  gratitude.  The  Tuscarora  Indians  were 
in  particular  responsive  to  the  efforts  of  the  missionaries,  sending  to 
the  Association  by  them  "written  talks"  expressive  of  their  ap- 
preciation, and  requesting  further  help,  and  sending,  also,  strings 
of  wampum  expressive  of  their  friendship.  To  these  the  Associa- 
tion sent  replies,  and  a  staff  or  some  other  symbol  of  their  regard. 

In  1803,  Lemuel  Covell  delivered  an  address  to  the  Tuscororas 
in  behalf  of  the  Association,  and  preserved  a  copy  of  their  reply, 
which  was  published  in  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  missionary 
magazine  as  follows : 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  53 

Letter   from   the   Tuscarora    Indians   to  the    Shaftsbury 
Association,  1803 

Fathers  and  Brethren: 

We  are  very  happy  to  meet  you  here  this  day,  and  that  we  are 
well  and  in  health.  As  many  of  us  as  are  here,  have  met  to  let 
you  know  our  minds,  and  what  we  have  to  say,  I  thank  the  good 
people,  the  ministers,  that  they  have  sent  missionaries  to  visit  our 
fire-place — ^to  preach  the  gospel — the  will  of  the  Great  Spirit,  to 
us.  Our  whole  nation  thanks  the  ministers  for  their  good  will  to 
our  nation. 

We  hope  the  Great  Spirit  may  protect  you  safe  on  your  jour- 
ney home — that  you  may  find  all  at  your  fire-place  well.  We  pray 
that  the  Great  Spirit  may  prosper  your  labours. 

I  say  to  the  good  people,  that  when  they  see  our  mistakes  or 
errors,  that  they  will  not  think  hard  of  us,  because  we  meet  with  a 
great  many  difficulties  in  the  way.  We  slowly  go  on  to  get  ac- 
quainted about  the  Great  Spirit — for  we  thmk  we  are  firm  in  taking 
hold  of  the  gospel. 

We  say  now,  all  we  chiefs  of  our  nation,  we  hope  that  the  good 
people  will  not  be  discouraged  about  us  because  other  nations  of  our 
color  do  not  receive  the  gospel ;  for  we  are  sure  that  we  wish  to  be 
instructed. 

We  are  chiefs — we  do  all  we  can  to  persuade  our  young  men 
and  our  children  to  be  taught  in  the  good  way — that  they  may  be- 
come acquainted  with  the  gospel,  to  the  latest  generation. 

Second  Sachem — I  am  very  much  pleased,  and  thank  the  min- 
isters of  the  Shaftsbury  Association  who  sent  you  to  us  to  preach  the 
good  word  to  us,  which  we  have  felt  in  our  hearts ! 

First  Sachem — I  send  word  to  my  nephew,  George,  that  he 
would  not  be  uneasy  about  us — we  have  put  off  drinking  spirituous 
liquor, — we  feel  happy  to  live  a  sober  life — I  wish  that  he  would 
keep  from  liquor,  and  not  taste  one  drop,  so  that  he  may  be  sober. 

You  may  know  by  this,  that  I  am  glad  always  to  see  ministers, 
and  hear  their  good  words. 

SCARESA    X  First  Sachem, 
WILLIAM    X  Printup,  Second  Sachem. 

October  31, 1803. 


54  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

We,  the  subscribers,  certify,  that  the  foregoing  Speech,  was 
delivered  by  the  above  named  Sachems,  to  the  Rev.  Lemuel  Covell, 
word  for  word,  as  near  as  could  be  translated. 

Witness  our  hands, 

NICHOLAS  COSICK 

JOHN  X  MOUNTPLEASANT     Literpreters. 

T,  Hereby  certify,  that  I  write  down  the  above  Speech  as  de- 
livered to  me  by  the  above  interpreters. 

ELKANAH  HOLMES. 


Chapter  III 

ITINERANT   MISSIONARIES    FROM    THE    MASSACHU- 
SETTS BAPTIST  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  AND  THE 
MAINE  BAPTIST  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 

While  the  missionaries  of  the  several  associations  were  busy 
in  their  beneficent  work  of  evangelism,  they  were  ably  assisted  by 
the  missionaries  of  the  Maine  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and 
the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  Society. 

In  October,  1802,  Rev.  John  Tripp,  one  of  the  first  trustees 
of  the  Maine  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  and  for  forty-nine  years 
pastor  of  the  church  in  Hebron,  Maine,  commenced  missionary 
labors  under  the  society  which  he  ably  represented.  While  preach- 
ing in  towns  on  the  New  Hampshire  side  of  the  Connecticut  River, 
he  crossed  over  and  preached  in  Northumberland,  Vt.,  May,  1803. 
In  January,  1804,  he  preached  in  Waterford  on  the  Vermont  side. 
Here  he  found  a  few  brethren  sincere  and  earnestly  desiring  in- 
struction. At  their  request,  he  urged  the  missionary  society  to 
pay  them  some  attention. 

In  May,  that  same  year,  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary 
Society  appointed  Rev.  Peter  Philanthropos  Root,  a  missionary,  with 
directions  to  visit  the  District  of  Maine,  Upper  Coos,  and  the 
destitute  parts  of  Vermont,  and  so  westward.  In  August  of  that 
year,  Mr.  Root  preached  in  Brunswick,  Maidstone,  Guildliall, 
Granby,  Waterford,  St.  Johnsbury,  Barnet  and  Ryegate. 

Leaving  this  country  he  writes,  "I  steered  my  course  for 
the  LaMoille  and  Onion  Rivers,  preaching  as  I  passed  from  place 
to  place,  but  after  leaving  Onion  River,  I  did  not  stop  to  preach 
till  I  came  to  Pawlet,  where  I  attended  the  Vermont  Association, 
October  3  and  4. 

In  1806,  Mr.  Root  went  again  to  Otter  Creek  and  preached  in 
Ira,  Rutland,  Leicester,  New  Haven,  Cornwall  and  Sudbury. 


56  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Samuel  Ambrose  was  another  zealous  itinerant  minister  sent 
out  by  the  Massachusetts  Society.  He  visited  the  destitute  dis- 
tricts of  Vermont  in  March,  1909,  going  through  Danville,  Hard- 
wick,  Greensboro,  Irasburgh,  Barton  and  Coventry.  He  found 
Esquire  Ide's  house  a  sanctuary,  and  after  preaching  there,  spent 
three  days  visiting  from  house  to  house,  then  crossed  over  into 
Canada,  and  returning,  preached  on  his  way  home  to  the  churches 
that  had  given  him  previous  welcome. 

In  December  of  the  same  year,  he  began  a  midwinter  journey 
at  Bethel,  going  thence  to  Randolph,  Brookfield,  Roxbury,  Warren, 
Waitsfield,  Moortown,  Cabot,  Hardwick,  Craftsbury  and  Coven- 
try. At  Coventry  he  found  a  church  had  been  organized  since  his 
summer  visit.  This  midwinter  tour  was  one  of  wearisome  journey- 
ing, exposed  to  tedious  storms  and  other  forms  of  discomfort. 
The  record  of  it  is  given  as  by  one  who  enjoyed  the  memory  of  it, 
and  who  had  no  disposition  to  magnify  the  trials  of  it. 

He  refers  with  special  pleasure  to  his  visit  at  Brookfield,  at 
the  home  of  Elder  Samuel  Hovey.  A  reformation  had  been  in 
progress  in  that  place  all  summer,  and  ten  of  Elder  Hovey 's  family, 
and  near  connections,  had  "obtained  a  comfortable  hope  in  Christ" 
as  well  as  a  goodly  number  more  from  ten  to  twelve  to  fifty  years 
of  age. 

Samuel  Churchill  traversed  this  same  territory  in  1811,  and 
Barnabas  Perkins  again  in  1816.  The  reports  of  these  missionary 
journeys,  as  given  in  the  Baptist  missionary  magazine,  are  full  of 
the  incidents  of  this  interesting  and  fruitful  ministry. 

Rev.  Phineas  Pillsbury,  another  of  the  missionaries  sent  out 
by  the  Maine  Society,  drawn  by  the  destitute  condition  of  Ver- 
mont, crossed  the  line  from  New  Hampshire  and  did  evangelistic 
work  here.  He  came  to  Danville  in  February,  1807,  where  he 
found  a  small  Calvinistic  Baptist  church,  and  one  Free  Will  Baptist 
church.  Here  he  preached  six  times,  and  then  rode  seventeen  miles 
to  Hardback  and  "preached  a  lecture  at  the  house  of  Deacon 
Fuller"  of  the  Congregational  church.  There  was  another  Con- 
gregational church  there  and  one  Free  Will  Baptist.  He  next 
visited  Greensboro  and  preached  in  a  Congregational  church. 
Thence  he  made  his  wav  to  Craftsburv'.     He  was  informed  that 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  57 

there  was  no  regularly  ordained  minister  of  any  denomination  in 
Orleans  County,  besides  a  multitude  of  destitute  places  in  ad- 
joining counties.  After  crossing  into  Canada,  on  his  return,  he 
stopped  at  Alburgh,  where  there  had  recently  been  a  reformation, 
and  the  converts  had  sent  for  a  council  to  organize  them  into  a 
Baptist  church.  On  this  mission  he  spent  six  months,  rode  eleven 
hundred  and  twenty -seven  miles,  preached  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
five  times,  baptized  four  persons  and  attended  to  other  missionary 
labors.  Received  eleven  dollars  and  forty-two  cents,  and  expend- 
ed eight  dollars  and  eleven  cents. 

Joshua  Bradley,  a  missionary  of  the  Massachusetts  Society, 
visited  the  new  settlements  in  Vermont  in  the  fall  of  1804.  He 
attended  the  Woodstock  Association  in  Alstead  and  "beheld  their 
good  order,  love,  peace,  unity  and  zeal. "  Then  he  visited  Braintree, 
preaching  in  different  parts  of  the  to\\'n,  then  went  to  Randolph, 
followed  by  a  large  number  of  people  from  Braintree,  who  were 
eager  to  hear  more  of  the  Gospel  from  his  lips.  He  preached  later 
at  Hartford,  and  was  greatly  moved  by  the  evidence  of  spiritual 
destitution  among  the  people  and  their  need  of  shepherding. 

Barnabas  Perkins  made  a  missionary  journey,  beginning  his 
work  in  Danville,  September  18, 1809.  From  Danville  he  was  called 
to  St.  Johnsbury  to  visit  a  sick  man,  who  a  little  before  had  been 
calling  for  some  one  to  pray  with  him,  and  there  was  no  one,  who 
had  learned  to  pray  for  himself,  able  to  respond  to  the  dying  man's 
request.  After  spending  some  time  here,  at  Lyndon,  and  Whee- 
lock,  he  returned  to  Danville  and  baptized  two  persons.  Thence 
he  made  his  way  to  Coventry,  where  a  reformation  was  in  progress. 
This  was  an  eventful  visit.  Mr.  Perkins  had  been  there  the  pre- 
vious July  and  had  preached  in  the  home  of  John  Ide,  a  highly 
respected  citizen,  supposed  to  be  inclined  to  Universalist  sentiments. 

Mr.  Perkins,  while  spending  the  evening  with  Mr.  Ide,  talked 
w4th  him  on  the  nature  and  design  of  the  atonement,  the  freeness 
of  grace,  the  necessity  of  the  new  birth  and  of  faith  in  Jesus  Christ, 
without  which  no  one  can  be  saved.  "His  host  was  respectful,  but 
reticent."  He  seemed  to  be  in  deep  study.  Mr.  Perkins,  after 
preaching  twice  in  the  place,  left,  not  knowing  the  result  of  his 
"fire-place  sermon."     But  the  truth  found  lodgment  in  a  good 


58  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

heart  and  brought  forth  fruit.  Mr.  Ide  was  soon  thrown  into  deep 
conviction  in  which  he  continued  for  several  days,  and  then  came 
into  "sweet  Hberty. "  His  wife  and  four  others  were  converted, 
and  a  deep  rehgious  seriousness  pervaded  every  family  in  the  place. 
Later,  Mr.  Ide  was  baptized  by  Mr.  Perkins.  He  afterward  be- 
came the  pastor  of  the  Coventry  church  and  continued  in  that 
relation  sixteen  years.  He  was  the  father  of  George  B.  Ide,  who 
became  well-known  in  the  denomination  far  beyond  the  limits  of 
his  native  state.  The  Coventry  church  was  supplied  by  several 
of  the  missionaries  of  the  Massachusetts  Society,  among  them,  Ariel 
Kendrick,  Samuel  Churchill,  Barnabas  Perkins  and  Jacob  Cottle. 
From  this  church  was  set  off,  in  1816,  members  to  constitute  the 
church  in  Irasburgh,  and,  in  1817,  others  to  constitute  the  church 
in  Newport,  and,  in  1818,  still  others  to  form  the  church  in  Troy. 

Mr.  Perkins  made  another  tour  in  September,  assisted  in 
organizing  a  church  in  Lunenburg,  and  baptized  several  persons 
in  Derby,  two  of  them  aged  women,  one  seventy -five  and  the  other 
seventy-eight  years  of  age. 

Barnabas  Perkins  relates  the  following: 

A    REMARKABLE   DREAM 

{Miss.  Mag.  Vol.  2,  p.  180) 

Lord's  Day,  the  16th  of  October,  I  preached  at  Wheelock,  and 
while  I  was  there  a  respectable  sister,  belonging  to  the  Danville 
church,  sent  me  the  folloA\nng  dream: 

Sister  D.  in  a  dream  thought  her  father,  who  had  been  dead 
about  five  years,  came  to  see  her,  with  whom  she  had  considerable 
conversation;  after  which  he  went  to  the  door  as  though  he  were 
going  away,  but  turned  about  and  asked  if  Mr.  Perkins  were  going 
to  preach  in  town  any  more.  She  answered,  yes.  He  asked,  when? 
She  answered,  "the  Lord's  day  after  next."  He  asked,  at  what 
place?  She  answered,  "at  the  courthouse."  He  replied,  "Tell 
him  that  he  must  preach  from  this  text,  John  21,  22.  'Jesus  saith 
unto  him,  if  I  ^all  that  he  tarry  until  I  come,  what  is  that  to  thee? 
Follow  thou  me.'  And  do  you  tell  him  that  this  is  an  errand  from 
me."  On  my  way  to  Danville,  I  called  on  her  and  she  repeated  the 
dream  as  related  above;  and  told  me  withal,  that  she  had  a  trial  on 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  59 

her  mind  about  doing  the  errand ;  but  the  impression  was  so  great 
that  she  dared  not  omit  it.  She  furthermore  told  me  that  she 
could  not  remember  a  word  of  the  conversation  ^vath  her  father, 
excepting  what  is  related  above.  It  made  a  singular  impression 
on  my  mind  which  led  me  to  think  much  about  it.  However,  it 
was  not  long  before  a  field  opened  from  the  text,  that  was  quite 
new  to  me.  When  the  time  came  for  me  to  preach,  I  delivered  my 
subject  with  much  freedom  of  mind;  and  the  attention  of  the 
people  appeared  to  be  called  up.  A  few  days  after,  I  baptized 
three  amiable  young  sisters  in  the  bloom  of  life.  They  declared 
that  the  text  and  subject  so  impressed  their  minds,  that  they  felt 
constrained  to  follow  the  example  of  their  Lord  and  Master. 
Some  others  told  me  afterwards  that  they  had  hard  work  to  go 
from  the  water,  and  not  receive  the  ordinance.  "He  that  hath 
a  dream  let  him  tell  a  dream." 


Chapter  IV 

LATER    ACCOUNTS  OF  THE   CHURCHES   IN   SHAFTS- 
BURY,  POWNAL  AND  WALLINGFORD. 


The  First  Shaftsbury 

Steven  Wright  gives  the  following  later  history  of  this  church : 
In  1801— 2,  they  had  a  pastor  in  the  person  of  Elder  Andrew 
Harpending;  his  labors  seem  not  to  have  been  of  much  service  to 
them.  But,  in  1803,  Isaiah  Mattison,  one  of  their  own  number, 
born,  reared,  converted  and  baptized  among  them,  was  called  for- 
ward to  public  service,  and  in  November  of  that  year  he  was  or- 
dained to  the  pastoral  care  of  his  native  church  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  and  a  half  years.  In  1807,  this  church  reported  nineteen  ad- 
ditions; in  1811,  thirty-three  more,  and  from  that  onward  till  1825, 
a  few  scattering  drops  fell  upon  their  soil  to  encourage  the  fainting 
laborers.  Yet,  with  their  pastor's  labors  only  one-half  the  time  from 
1807,  there  was  a  gradual  decrease  of  their  numbers  from  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty -six  until  in  the  year  1824,  they  reported  only  six- 
ty-five members  in  standing.  But,  in  1825,  they  went  up  to  the 
Association  rejoicing  over  thirty-five  accessions  to  their  number; 
and,  in  1827,  they  reported  over  forty  more,  making  a  total 
of  one  hundred  and  thirty,  after  dismissing  fifteen  the  year 
previous.  In  1831—4,  during  three  years,  they  received  seventy-one 
by  baptism  and  a  few  by  letter,  raising  their  total  membership  ^o 
one  hundred  and  eighty -two.  Again,  in  1839,  they  reported  thirty- 
two  baptized;  and,  in  1843,  seventeen  more,  which  was  the  last  re- 
vival they  ever  enjoyed.  During  the  long  period  of  forty  years 
Isaiah  Mattison  was  their  spiritual  guide  and  counsellor.  He  was,  in 
fact,  the  only  pastor  the  church  ever  really  enjoyed.  All  others  had 
been  mere  transient  helps  for  a  brief  period.  But  this  pastorate 
endured  till  its  incumbent  had  well-nigh  worn  himself  out  in  the 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ser^ace  of  this  single  church  and  the  fourth  church  for  a  while  half 
the  time. 

After  the  death  of  their  pastor,  this  church  became  entangled 
in  difficulties  and  dissolved  its  organization  in  1844,  after  an  ex- 
istence as  an  independent  body  about  seventy -six  years. 


The  Fourth  Shaftsbury,  Later  Called  Third  Shaftsbury 

Elder  Blood  continued  his  relation  with  this  church  as  pastor 
until  April,  1807,  a  period  of  nearly  twenty  years.  Owing  to  the 
destitution  of  Baptist  ministers  in  this  region  at  that  time,  and 
owing  to  his  long  and  justly  established  character  as  a  successful 
minister  of  the  gospel,  whose  fame  was  in  all  the  churches,  he  was  so 
frequently  called  upon  to  attend  public  meetings,  councils,  as- 
sociations, ordinations  and  funerals,  that  it  took  much  of  his  time, 
and  his  people  felt  the  loss.  Several  circumstances  conspired  to  fix 
his  mind  upon  a  resignation.  Years  had  passed  without  any  special 
work  of  grace  under  his  ministry.  His  congregations  had  been 
thinned  by  death  and  removals,  and  frequent  and  urgent  solicita- 
tions were  made  to  him  for  his  service  in  other  places.  He  removed 
from  this  place  to  Boston,  and  two  years  afterwards  to  Portland, 
Maine,  at  which  place  this  venerable  man  closed  his  eyes  on  all 
earthly  scenes. 

Upon  the  dismission  of  Elder  Blood,  the  church  made  applica- 
tion to  Elder  Isaiah  Mattison  of  the  west  church  and  obtained  his 
services  for  one-half  the  time,  he  preaching  every  other  Sunday  for 
this  church  and  continuing  his  connection  with  the  first  church  as 
their  pastor.  This  arrangement  continued  with  Elder  Mattison  for 
nearly  nineteen  years,  until  the  1st  of  January,  1826.  During  the 
ministry  of  Elder  Mattison  two  revivals  of  religion  were  enjoyed, 
one  in  1810-1811,  in  which  about  one  hundred  members  were 
added,  and  one  in  1817,  in  which  twenty  were  added. 

Following  Elder  Mattison's  pastorate.  Elder  Daniel  Tinkham 
served  one  year,  and  Elder  Cyrus  Hodges,  four  years,  ending  in  the 
spring  of  1833,  during  which  time  two  revivals  were  witnessed,  one 
in  1829,  in  which  thirty-two  were  added;  the  other  in  1831,  in  which 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  63 

forty-one  were  added.  The  consistent  piety  of  this  devoted  servant 
of  Christ,  together  with  his  amiable  deportment,  sweetness  of  tem- 
per and  meekness  of  mind,  greatly  endeared  him  to  the  people  of 
his  charge,  especially  to  those  who,  by  the  Divine  blessing,  had  be- 
come the  subjects  of  grace  under  his  ministry. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1839,  a  committee  was  appointed  to 
take  into  consideration  the  subject  of  holding  a  series  of  religious 
meetings,  and  in  their  discretion  to  employ  suitable  gifts  in  aid  of 
such  meetings.  This  led  to  the  acquaintance  with  Joseph  W.  Saw- 
yer, who  came  at  the  request  of  said  committee  to  labor  for  the 
church.  These  labors  proved  successful,  and  with  the  blessing  of 
God,  resulted  in  the  addition  of  fifty  members.  Elder  Sawyer  was 
employed  as  pastor  of  the  church  and  so  continued  for  five  years. 
In  the  autumn  of  1842,  and  winter  and  spring  of  1843,  a  very  in- 
teresting work  of  grace  was  enjoyed  by  the  church  and  one  hundred 
were  added  to  its  number.  Several  united,  who  had  been  members 
of  the  Second  church,  and  the  Second  church  held  no  meetings 
after  that  time,  being  thus  dissolved. 

Elder  Sawyer  was  succeeded  by  Elder  Israel  Keach  in  the 
spring  of  1845,  who  remained  ^nth  the  church  as  their  pastor  for 
three  years;  and  in  the  summer  of  1848,  Elder  Lansing  Bailey  was 
chosen  and  remained  till  1851.  During  the  autumn  of  1849,  twenty- 
five  new  members  were  added  as  the  result  of  a  series  of  meetings 
held  by  Elder  Isaac  Wescott. 

After  reading  the  record  of  such  frequent  revivals  and  large  in- 
gatherings one  might  expect  to  find  reports  of  a  large  membership 
at  the  end  of  this  period,  and  is  surprised  to  learn  that  this  church,  in 
1852,  returned  to  the  Association  one  hundred  and  seventy  as  its 
membership.  The  explanation  is  that  large  numbers,  which  united 
during  so  many  successive  revivals,  were  dismissed  principally  as 
a  consequence  of  emigration  to  the  West,  where  many  of  them  were 
promptly  called  to  fill  important  stations. 

(The  foregoing  sketch  was  prepared  by  the  Hon.  Nathan  H. 
Bottom,  for  many  years  clerk  of  this  Shaftsbury  church,  in  June, 
1852). 

The  more  recent  record  of  the  church's  history  is  of  frequent 
changes  in  the  ministry,  gradually  decreasing  membership;  earnest 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

effort  to  meet  the  demands  of  changing  conditions  in  the  commun- 
ity. Much  has  been  made  of  the  Sunday  school  and  young  people's 
meetings.  In  1857,  the  church  was  sustaining  seven  Sunday  schools 
in  different  parts  of  the  town.  Prayer  meetings  in  school-houses  and 
private  dwellings  have  been  means  of  reaching  the  scattered  mem- 
bership and  their  neighbors.  Since  1852,  the  following  pastors  have 
served  short  periods:  Arthur  Day,  S.  Adams,  J.  Tucker,  J.  N. 
Chase,  M.  Merriam,  Philander  Perry,  W.  H.  Rugg,  P.  C.  Dayfoot, 
G.  B.  Smith,  A.  J.  Chandler,  C.  A.  Votey,  G.  A.  Wilkins,  J.  Free- 
man, L.  B.  Steele,  J.  M.  Compton,  G.  N.  Gardner,  Geo.  Williams, 
Thomas  Adams.     The  membership,  in  1911,  numbered  forty -nine. 

POWNAL 

Elder  Caleb  Nichols  gave  fifteen  years  of  faithful  labor  among 
this  people,  and  died  in  their  affections. 

The  next  pastor  was  Elder  Dyer  Starks,  three  years.  For  three 
or  four  years  they  were  again  ^-ithout  a  pastor,  1807—1810,  and  dur- 
ing this  time  they  were  favored  mth  a  gracious  revival,  aided  bj^ 
the  labors  of  Elder  John  Leland,  so  that  in  1808,  they  reported  to 
the  Association,  meeting  with  them  that  year,  the  accession  of 
seventy-seven  and  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  ninety -two  in  the 
membership  of  the  church. 

In  the  year,  1811—12,  Elder  David  Hurlbert  was  pastor;  and 
then  three  years  of  destitution  till  1816.  George  Robinson  was 
pastor  for  five  years.  But,  from  1811  to  1821,  it  was  a  time  of  de- 
clension in  which  not  more  than  five  persons  were  added  to  the 
church,  according  to  the  minutes  of  the  Association.  For  many 
years  the  church  was  supplied  in  their  seasons  of  destitution  by  two 
licentiates  living  among  them,  named  Benjamin  Gardner,  and  Dr. 
Cranmer  Bannister.  Elder  Leland,  of  Chester,  usually  baptized  for 
them. 

In  1822,  they  report  twenty-six  baptized,  with  a  total  of  only 
ninety-five.  In  1824—5,  Elder  Edward  Green  was  pastor  and  thirty- 
one  baptized  in  1824.  In  1829,  we  find  Elder  Wakeman  O.  Johnson 
pastor,  and  in  1831—3,  Elder  Green  was  again  their  supply,  with  an 
addition  of  fifteen  in  the  time.  But,  in  1834,  Elihu  Dutcher  was  their 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  65 

pastor  till  1837.  During  his  first  year,  in  mid-summer,  a  powerful 
revival  was  enjoyed  as  the  result  of  a  protracted  meeting  in  which 
various  ministers  assisted,  among  whom  was  Elder  Eber  Tucker, 
an  evangelist,  and  fifty-nine  were  baptized,  raising  the  number  to 
one  hundred  and  seven.  In  1837,  another  season  of  refreshing  was 
enjoyed  in  a  similar  meeting,  in  which  their  pastor.  Elder  Thomas 
S.  Rogers,  was  aided  by  Elder  William  Grant,  which  brought  in 
another  accession  of  twenty  by  baptism.  Elder  Rogers  was  or- 
dained in  the  midst  of  these  meetings.  He  remained  only  a  year. 
After  him  came  Elder  Isaac  Childs  as  pastor,  and  then  a  destitution 
for  three  years.  In  1843,  Elder  D.  W.  Gifford,  pastor,  there  were 
no  additions, — total  membership,  seventy-eight. 

In  1843,  Elder  Matthew  Batchelor  settled  among  them  and 
continued  pastor  for  many  years. 

In  1854,  the  Association  passed  the  following  resolutions : 

Whereas,  it  has  been  made  known  to  this  Association  by  the 
North  Bennington  and  Hoosick  churches  that  they  recently  com- 
menced a  labor  with  the  church  in  Pownal,  with  reference  to  certain 
heretical  sentiments  understood  to  have  been  embraced  by  their 
pastor.  Rev.  Matthew  Batcheler,  and  fellowshiped  by  them,  par- 
ticularly the  following,  viz.:  That  future  punishment  of  the  wicked 
consists  in  an  utter  extinction  of  being,  and 

Whereas,  it  was  satisfactorily  ascertained,  from  the  acknowl- 
edgement of  both  pastor  and  people,  that  the  doctrines  above  re- 
ferred to  are  held  and  propagated  by  them,  and 

Whereas,  the  said  church  refuses  to  unite  with  them  in  calling 
a  mutual  council,  therefore, 

Resolved,  that  according  to  Article  V  of  our  Constitution, 
said  church  be  "considered  as  regularly  out  of  fellowship,  and  be 
dropped  from  the  minutes."  In  1873,  the  Association  appointed  a 
committee,  consisting  of  Rev.  Z.  Jones,  Rev.  F.  Henry,  and  Rev. 
S.  L.  Peck,  to  visit  the  church  in  Pownal  to  learn  the  condition  of 
the  church  and  their  wishes  with  reference  to  its  reinstatement  with 
them.  This  committee  at  the  next  meeting  reported  that  a  visit  had 
been  made  to  several  prominent  members  of  the  Pownal  church, 
with  whom  they  were  acquainted,  and  on  stating  the  object  of  their 


66  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

visit  were  most  cordially  welcomed,  and  each  for  himself  expressed 
much  gratification  that  the  church  had  been  thus  remembered; 
and  the  Committee  from  information  these  brethren  gave,  in  refer- 
ence to  the  condition  of  things  there,  are  encouraged  to  believe  the 
prospect  is  fa^'orable  to  its  early  reinstatement  into  the  fellowship 
of  the  Association.  Upon  this  report,  the  Association  voted  to  re- 
ceive the  Pownal  church,  and  the  hand  of  fellowship  was  extended 
to  its  pastor.  Rev.  J.  M.  Batcheler.  For  a  few  years  there  was  little 
sign  of  vitality.  In  1879,  Arthur  Day  was  chosen  pastor,  and  the 
membership  reported  was  thirty-five.  The  house  of  worship  was 
put  in  repair  and  the  church  began  to  show  anxiety  concerning  its 
future. 

A.  H.  Simons  was  pastor  in  1883,  and  three  were  baptized,  the 
firstfor  many  years.  L.  E.  Scott  followed,  in  1888,  and  ten  new 
members  were  added.     Women's  Mission  Circles  were  organized. 

In  1890,  three  hundred  dollars  were  expended  on  their  church 
property.  McGeorge  came  to  their  help  in  1892  and  tw^enty-one  new 
members  were  received.  The  next  year  the  church  entertained  the 
Association  for  the  first  time  in  fifty-one  years,  and  for  the  fifth 
time  in  its  historj%  the  other  times  being  in  1808,  1828,  1837  and 
1843.  Rev.  Thomas  Cull,  visited  them  in  1895,  and  seven  new- 
members  were  received.  In  1897,  Rev.  B.  F.  Kellogg  began  a  pastor- 
ate of  seven  years,  during  which  Rev.  W.  A.  Davison,  State  Superin- 
tendent of  Missions,  assisted  in  a  series  of  meetings,  resulting  in  the 
addition  of  twelve.  Rev.  F.  W.  Klein  had  a  short  pastorate,  1904. 
In  1907,  State  Evangelist  Hafer  held  a  ten  days'  meeting  with  the 
church  and  baptized  fourteen  and  received  three  by  letter.  The 
help  rendered  at  intervals  thus  by  the  State  evangelists  proved 
most  fruitful  and  gave  the  church  new  hopefulness  and  influence. 

Rev.  C.  E.  VanSchaick  was  the  next  pastor,  under  whose 
ministry  the  church  became  greatly  encouraged.  In  1908,  it  invited 
the  Association  to  hold  its  sessions  with  them  the  next  year.  In 
1909,  H.  G.  Mohl  became  pastor.  The  bright  prospects  of  the 
church  were  greatly  darkened  January  11,  when  their  church 
edifice,  recently  reno\^ated,  wis  destroyed  by  fire.  The  member- 
ship last  reported  was  seventy-six.    Under  the  energetic  leader- 


Rev.  S.  H.  Akciiibald 

The  eflBcient  Secretary  of  the  State  Convention  for  twenty-two  years 
Born,  1848— Died,  1904 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  67 

ship   of  pastor  Mohl,  a  new,  substantial  edifice  was  erected  in 
place  of  the  one  destroyed  by  fire,  and  dedicated  in  1912. 

Wallingford 

After  the  resignation  of  Elder  Henry  Greene,  in  1807,  the 
church  came  to  rely  on  Deacon  Randall.  He  supplied  the  pulpit 
by  exchange  with  neighboring  pastors;  by  the  use  of  his  own  talents, 
and  in  many  ways,  sought  to  maintain  the  institutions  of  the  church. 
Some  were  not  edified  by  the  improvement  of  his  gifts;  others  were 
doubtless  jealous  of  his  lead,  and  instead  of  doing  what  they  could 
to  secure  a  pastor,  tried  to  weaken  him  in  his  labors.  It  was  a  long, 
dark  time.  Many  were  excluded  and  others  were  lost  to  the  church 
for  usefulness  and  christian  growth.  Still  others  removed,  and  the 
ranks  were  fearfully  decimated  by  these  causes,  and  by  heresy, 
which  came  into  the  church;  a  preacher,  named  Lobdell,  leading 
several  from  their  love  to  the  church.  Political  divisions  entered, 
and  it  being  the  time  of  the  war  of  1812,  some  were  excluded  for 
being  Federalists.  But  this  danger  passed  and  others  were  en- 
countered. 

The  meetings  had  been  scattered,  the  church  divided  and  re- 
duced, but  there  was  a  faithful  remnant  and,  in  1816,  there  is  ex- 
pressed in  the  records  a  desire  for  new  life  and  power,  and  methods 
of  attaining  this  end  are  sought  and  mentioned.  In  1814,  some  steps 
had  been  taken  looking  to  the  securing  of  a  pastor,  and  in  this  Dea- 
con Randall  took  the  lead.  In  January,  1817,  ten  years  after  the 
departure  of  Rev.  Henry  Greene,  they  chose  Sedgwick  Rice,  a  licen- 
tiate from  Connecticut,  who  labored  about  two  years  on  a  salary  of 
one  hundred  dollars. 

A  long  succession  of  brief  pastorates  follows :  Lemon  Andrews , 
1821-1824;   Gibbon   Williams,    1826-1828,  two  years;  Frederick 

Page,  1830-1834,  four  years; Davis,  1837-1838,  six  months; 

Leland  Huntley,  1838—1839,  one  year;  Joseph  H.  Sherwin, 
1839—1841,  one  and  three-quarter  years;  Daniel  Hascall,  1841— 
1843,  two  years;  Joseph  Packer,  1843—1844,  one  year;  A.  A.  Con- 
stantine,  1844—1845,  one  year;  R.  Meyers,  1845— 1847,  two  years; 


68  HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Frederick  Page,  1849-1850,  one  year;  S.  L.  Elliott,  1851-1857,  five 
and  one-half  years;  Edwin  M.  Haynes,  1857—1859,  two  years; 
Edward  Conovec,  1859-1863,  three  and  one-half  years;  James  W. 
Grant,  1863-1864,  oneandone-halfyears;R.  G.Johnson,  1865-1867, 
two  years;  Joshua  Fletcher,  D.  D.,  1869-1873,  three  and  one-half 
years;  Edward  Conover,  1874-1876,  two  years;  Henry  S.  Archibald, 
1876. 

Up  to  this  date  there  had  been  twenty-one  pastorates  covering 
sixty -five  years,  giving  an  average  of  a  little  more  than  three  years, 
or  deducting  that  of  Rev.  Henry  Greene,  the  remaining  ones  average 
two  and  one-fourth  years.  For  thirty-five  years,  or  more  than  one- 
third  the  history  of  the  church  at  that  time,  the  church  had  been 
without  a  pastor.  The  total  number  received  into  this  church  up 
to  the  time  of  its  centennial,  in  1880,  was  seven  hundred  and 
eighteen.    There  were  on  its  roll  at  that  time  seventy-four. 

Its  present  house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1827,  at  a  cost  of 
$870.00.  Recent  renovations  and  improvements  make  it  still  a 
comely  and  convenient  church  home. 

With  Rev.  S.  Henry  Archibald's  pastorate,  a  new  order  of 
things  began.  As  a  wise,  energetic,  patient  laborer,  he  devoted  him- 
self to  the  interests  of  this  church  with  genuine  ardor  and  love.  He 
was  a  genuine  under-shepherd  to  them.  Though  his  immediate 
parish  was  limited  in  extent,  he  became  influential  in  all  the  enter- 
prises of  the  denomination,  serving  many  years  on  the  Board  of  the 
Convention,  as  secretary;  he  became  intimately  acquainted  %\'ith 
the  condition  of  the  churches,  generally,  and  his  judgment  was  of 
much  value.  He  retained  his  position  as  pastor  of  the  Wallingford 
church  twenty-two  years.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith, 
four  years;  S.  P.  Perry,  1902-1903;  S.  F.  Leathers,  1903-1905; 
C.  R.  B.  Dodge,  1906-1910;  S.  D.  Sykes,  1910. 

The  associational  relationships  of  this  church  have  been 
varied.  In  1788,  it  withdrew  from  the  Shaftsbury  Association  to 
unite  with  the  Vermont  Association,  which  was  more  conveniently 
near.  In  1808,  it  withdrew  from  the  Vermont  Association  and 
remained  unassociated  till  1824,  when  it  united  with  the  Man- 
chester Association,  remaining  in  that  body  till  it  disbanded  some 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  69 

five  years  later.  In  1833,  it  again  united  with  the  Vermont  As- 
sociation and  has  since  been  a  member  of  that  body,  or  its  suc- 
cessor, the  present  Shaftsbury  Association. 

A  name  worthy  of  special  mention  and  remembrance  is  that 
of  Deacon  Joseph  Randall.  For  fifty-four  years  he  served  the 
church  as  clerk;  for  fifty-six  years  as  deacon,  and  much  of  the  time 
he  filled  the  pulpit  of  the  church,  and  ever  interested  himself  in  its 
welfare.  He  is  most  emphatically  its  hero  and  its  greatest  burden 
bearer.  He  filled  an  important  place  in  civil  life — ^Representative 
four  years,  Judge  of  Probate  four  years,  and  was  also  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1793.  He  also  filled  other  town 
oflfices' — as  town  clerk,  etc.  Says  the  author  of  the  biographical 
sketch  in  the  Vermont  Historical  Gazeteer:  "In  addition  to  this, 
he  bore  his  part  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  and  also  in  the  war  of 
1812.  An  honorable  man,  a  christian,  a  patriot,  he  was  of  very 
great  benefit  to  the  town  and  performed  no  inconsiderable  service 
for  the  State."  Says  Mr.  Archibald,  "doubtless  he  had  his  faults, 
but  time  has  covered  these.  His  integrity,  his  virtues  and  his 
fidelity  shine  above  the  lapse  of  years.  Having  faithfully  served 
his  generation  and  well  discharged  the  duties  which  belonged  to 
him,  he  fell  asleep  in  Christ,  April  15,  1836,  aged  eighty  years." 


Chapter  V 
THE  VERMONT  ASSOCIATION 

In  May,  1785,  the  delegates  from  five  little  chui'ches  with  four 
pastors  met  in  Elder  Joseph  Cornell's  barn  in  Manchester,  and 
organized  an  association  to  which  they  gave  the  name  of  Vermont 
Association.  The  churches  thus  uniting  were:  Manchester,  Clar- 
endon, Danby,  Middleton,  and  Granville,  N.  Y.,  with  a  total  mem- 
bership of  two  hundred  and  thirteen.  The  pastors  were:  Joseph 
Cornell,  Thomas  Skeels,  Isaac  Beals  and  John  R.  Dodge.  It  is 
probable  that  their  first  published  minutes  were  printed  in  1789. 
There  were  then  eleven  churches,  and  six  hundred  and  thirteen 
members.  In  1791,  there  were  fifteen  churches  and  four  hundred 
and  eighty -four  members.  The  territory  then  included  in  this  body 
extended  from  Manchester  on  the  south  to  Georgia  on  the  north, 
and  in  addition  to  that  covered  when  first  organized,  it  included  all 
now  included  in  the  Addison  and  the  Lamoille  Associations. 

Little  is  known  of  the  history  of  the  Association  during  the 
first  ten  years.  Of  the  three  circular  letters  which  have  come  down 
to  us  from  this  period,  one  is  on  the  duty  of  searching  the  Scriptures, 
and  trying  ourselves  constantly  by  that  standard,  both  in  respect 
to  our  doctrines  and  our  practice;  another  sets  forth  christian  fel- 
lowship as  consisting,  first,  in  fellowship  with  God  the  Father,  and 
secondly,  with  those  who  are  godly  and  walk  in  the  truth. 

The  sentiments,  as  condensed  in  the  preamble  of  a  new  Con- 
stitution, published  in  1796,  were  these: 

"We  believe  that  the  scriptures  of  the  Old  and  the  New  Testa- 
ment are  the  word  of  God  and  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice, — 
that  there  is  one  God,  the  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit, — the  doc- 
trine of  eternal  personal  election, — total  depravity, — the  convey- 
ance of  sin  from  Adam  by  natural  generation  to  all  his  posterity, — 
of  pardon  and  justification  alone  by  the  blood  and  righteousness  of 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Christ, — the  final  perseverance  of  the  saints, — resurrection  of  the 
dead  and  a  general  judgment, — that  the  punishment  of  the  wicked 
will  be  endless,  the  happiness  of  the  righteous  eternal, — the  sanctity 
of  the  Sabbath  (otherwise  the  Lord's  day), — immersion,  the  only 
mode  of  baptism  and  its  necessity  to  the  communion  of  the  Lord's 
Supper;  that  none  have  a  right  to  either  ordinance  but  true  be- 
lievers in  Christ;  that  no  person  has  any  right  to  administer  them 
but  those  who  are  called  of  God,  and  regularly  set  apart  to  the 
sacred  office  by  a  presbytery  of  ordained  ministers  of  the  gospel, 
appointed  by  the  churches." 

The  first  constitution  was  liberal,  acknowledging  the  entire 
independence  of  the  churches,  but  reserving  to  itself  the  right  of 
rejecting  or  excluding  churches  and  ministers  who  had  become  cor- 
rupt in  sentiment  or  practice.  But  to  some  of  the  brethren  the 
original  provisions  of  the  constitution  did  not  sufficiently  guard 
against  a  nominal  and  undesirable  fellowship,  and  a  Convention 
was  called,  in  1795,  to  revise  the  constitution  or  make  a  new  one. 

The  committee  on  revision  consisted  of  Isaac  Beals,  Caleb 
Blood  and  Obed  Warren.  The  proposed  Convention  was  held  at 
Wallingford  the  6th  of  January,  1796.  The  reading  of  the  special 
provisions  of  the  new  constitution  indicate  that  in  the  minds  of 
its  advocates,  the  dominant  purpose  of  an  Association  was  to  guard 
from  infringement  the  ortliodoxy  of  the  churches  and  its  own  doc- 
trinal purity. 

By  the  provisions  of  the  new  Constitution,  the  churches  were 
represented  in  the  Association  by  two  members  only,  the  pastor 
and  one  delegate,  or  in  the  case  of  a  pastorless  church,  by  at  most 
two  delegates,  and  each  delegate  was  to  bring  a  letter,  not  only 
certifying  to  his  appointment  by  the  church,  but  also  stating  the 
esential  doctrines  of  the  gospel  held  by  them,  &nd  the  present  state  of 
their  churches.  If  the  church  sent  a  minister  as  their  messenger, 
who  had  not  previously  been  a  member  of  the  Association,  the  As- 
sociation was  to  examine  him  respecting  a  work  of  grace  vpon  his 
soul,  ministerial  qualifications,  principles  in  the  christian  religion, 
etc.  If  the  examination  did  not  prove  satisfactory  the  minister  was 
to  be  refused  a  seat  in  the  Association,  his  church  informed  of  the 
objection,  and  unless  the  objection  was  removed  by  them  or  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  73 

pastor  dismissed,  the  church  would  be  refused  the  fellowship  of  the 
Association. 

Two  other  lengthy  articles  provided  for  the  settlement  of 
difl&culties  between  churches  in  the  Association,  and  also  between 
any  church  in  this  Association  and  one  belonging  to  a  correspond- 
ing association. 

The  Association  practically  reorganized  itself  into  a  standing 
council,  to  test  the  soundness  of  ministers  and  churches  within  its 
own  constituency,  and  even,  if  need  be,  to  jjass  judgment  upon 
churches  and  associations  with  which  they  were  in  correspond- 
ence. 

Naturally,  this  action  caused  serious  disagreement  and  ulti- 
mately rent  the  Association  into  two  parties.  In  1799,  two  sets  of 
delegates  presented  themselves  at  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  both 
claiming  to  represent  the  Vermont  Association.  The  Shaftsbury 
cautiously  but  kindly  declined  to  receive  either  delegation  officially, 
but  invited  both  to  seats  individually;  appointed  a  committee  to 
investigate,  and  two  years  later,  recognized  as  the  Vermont  As- 
sociation, the  body  which  had  adopted  the  new  constitution. 

Before  1805,  however,  another  convention  had  been  called  by 
both  parties  in  the  Vermont  Association,  and  their  differences 
amicably  adjusted  and  reunion  effected.  At  the  close  of  the  second 
decade  of  its  history,  the  Association  numbered  nineteen  churches, 
ten  ordained  ministers,  and  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  seven- 
ty-four members. 

At  this  time  it  was  in  correspondence  with  eight  other  associa- 
tions, and  was  carefully  providing  for  the  supply  of  the  pulpits  of 
pastorless  churches,  each  church  giving  its  pastor  occasional  leave 
of  absence  to  supply  some  other  church,  unable  to  support  preach- 
ing. Now  an  incident  occurred  which  opened  the  way  for  a  broader 
work  into  which  the  Association  heartily  entered. 

The  record  of  it  is:  "As  we  understand,  our  beloved  brother, 
William  Hartington,  contemplates  a  journey  to  preach  in  the  new 
settlements  the  ensuing  year,  we  take  this  opportunity  to  express 
our  approbation,  and  do  cheerfully  recommend  him  to  all  who  wish 
to  hear  the  Word  of  Life  dispensed,  as  a  regularly  ordained  minister 
of  the  gospel  in  our  fellowship." 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Mr.  Harrington  made  two  tours  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain  as  far  as  the  bounds  of  Canada,  and  spent  a  few  days  in  that 
province,  and  from  his  mission  he  brought  to  the  Association  such 
encouraging  reports  that  definite  plans  were  adopted  for  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  work.  A  standing  committee  of  twelve  was  ap- 
pointed annually,  half  the  number  being  ministers,  the  others  lay- 
men. These  were  carefully  organized  as  directors,  for  the 
appointing  of  missionaries,  directing  their  labors  and  meeting  their 
expenses. 

Until  18'20,  the  Association  continued  this  important  work. 
The  men  employed  as  missionaries  were:  Isaac  Sawyer,  William 
Harrington,  Samuel  Rowley,  Solomon  Brown,  Abel  Wood,  Henry 
Chamberlain,  Elisha  Starkweather,  J.  W.  Sa\vyer,  Roswell  Mears, 
Clark  Kendrick,  John  Spaulding.  Two  or  three  tours  were  made 
annually.  The  most  active  in  this  work  was  Isaac  Sawyer, who  made 
at  least  seven  tours.  They  journeyed  along  the  east  and  the  west 
side  of  Lake  Champlain,  into  Canada,  and  along  the  St.  Lawrence 
in  northern  New  York,  and  into  the  valley  of  the  Scroon.  Their 
usual  time  was  two  months'  absence,  during  which  time  they  would 
preach  upward  of  fifty  sennons  and  perform  other  work.  They  re- 
ceived on  an  average  five  dollars  a  week,  and  returned  to  the  As- 
sociation treasury  all  collections  received  on  their  tours,  thus  re- 
ducing considerably  their  expenses.  The  importance  and  blessed 
results  of  this  mission  work  can  never  be  estimated. 

The  visit  to  this  Association,  in  1814,  of  Luther  Rice,  the 
associate  of  Adoniram  Judson,  gave  it  a  broader  outlook  and  led 
it  to  engage  in  foreign  mission  work.  A  society  was  organized 
auxiliary  to  the  Triennial  Convention  and  the  Association  engaged 
at  once  in  promoting,  with  praiseworthy  liberality,  the  foreign  work. 
In  1815,  $381.00  are  found  in  the  foreign  mission  fund.  At  the  close 
of  this  third  decade  of  its  history,  the  Association  embraced  twenty- 
two  churches,  twenty  ministers,  and  one  thousand  eight  hundred 
and  thirty-six  communicants,  being  an  increase  during  the  last  ten 
years  of  three  churches  and  four  hundred  and  sixty-two  members. 
The  funds  raised  for  domestic  missions  were  given  in  charge  of  the 
Foreign  Mission  Society,  and  that  society  assuming  the  name  of 
The  Vermont  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  went  for- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  75 

ward  in  its  useful  work,  making  frequent  appropriations  to  both 
foreign  and  domestic  work.  Its  receipts,  exclusive  of  legacies,  are 
estimated  to  have  averaged  not  much  less  than  $150.00  a  year.  In 
1826,  this  society  was  merged  in  the  State  Convention. 

The  year  1817  was  one  of  remarkable  ingathering.  There 
were  received  that  year,  by  baptism,  eight  hundred  and  sixty-six; 
and  by  letter,  one  hundred  and  seven.  The  Poultney  church 
received  ninety-nine  by  baptism;  x\ddison,  ninety -three;  Ira, 
sixty-eight;  Granville,  sixty-nine;  Middletown,  fifty-eight;  Ferris- 
burg,  eighty-two.  The  total  membership  of  the  Association  ad- 
vanced to  the  number  of  two  thousand  eight  hundred  and  forty. 
The  year  1809  was  a  remarkable  one  for  the  Middletown  church, 
which  received  one  hundred  and  twelve  by  baptism. 

T^dce  the  Vermont  Association  glanced  over  the  mountains 
into  the  fold  of  the  Woodstock  Association,  once  troubled  because 
of  Elder  Aaron  Leland's  interest  in  civil  affairs,  and  once  on  ac- 
count of  the  departure  from  orthodoxy  of  Elders  Manning  and 
Higbee.  In  the  first  instance,  failing  to  take  all  the  preliminary 
steps,  their  complaint  was  tabled,  and  in  the  second  it  led  to  action 
on  the  part  of  the  sister  Association  with  good  results. 

A  difference  of  sentiment  grew  up  in  the  Association  on  the 
subject  of  Freemasonry.  Some  wished  to  act  upon  the  subject  and 
others  refused  to,  in  the  capacity  of  an  association.  The  feeling  be- 
came strong  and,  in  1833,  several  of  the  churches  asked  and  received 
dismission  to  form  the  Addison  Association.  Other  churches  in 
Addison  County  soon  connected  themselves  with  the  new  body, 
leaving  the  Vermont  Association  at  half  its  former  size.  In  1835,  it 
numbered  fourteen  churches,  and  one  thousand  one  hundred  and 
seventy-eight  members. 

In  1851,  the  Vermont  iVssociation  made  overtures  to  the  Ad- 
dison Association,  proposing  a  reunion  of  the  two  organizations, 
and  for  a  time  the  prospect  of  this  reunion  was  encouraging.  A  joint 
meeting  was  held  at  Brandon,  in  1852,  but  the  parties  failed  to 
agree  on  a  basis  of  union.  About  the  same  time  the  Shaftsbury  As- 
sociation invited  the  Vermont  Association  to  unite  with  them,  and 
the  invitation  was  cheerfully  accepted  and  the  two  bodies,  in  1855, 
united  under  the  name  of  The  Vermont  and  Shaftsbury  Associa- 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

tion.  The  minutes  of  the  body  were  published  under  this  name  until 
1878,  when  it  assumed  the  name,  Shaftsbury  Association — the 
dates  of  the  origin  of  the  two  united  bodies  being  printed  under  the 
name  on  the  title  page,  thus  preserving  the  historical  connection. 

At  the  time  of  the  union  this  Association  consisted  of  ten 
churches:  Brandon,  Hubbardton,  Hydeville,  Ira,  Middletown, 
Pittsford,  Poultney,  Rutland,  Wallingiord,  Westhaven.  Total 
membership,  seven  hundred  and  seventy-five. 

The  Shaftsbury  Association  gave  to  this  union  five  churches: 
The  first  Bennington,  second  Bennington,  first  Hoosick,  N.  Y., Man- 
chester, Shaftsbury;  five  pastors  and  five  hundred  and  ninety -four 
members.  Total  membership  of  the  union,  one  thousand  three 
hundred  and  sixty-nine. 

Concerning  the  ministers  in  the  early  period  and  even  in  later 
ones  who  founded  and  developed  the  Baptist  churches  in  Vermont, 
the  words  of  an  old  chronicler  are  true:  "Few,  if  any  of  them,  had 
received  a  liberal  education,  but  thej'  were  men  of  strong  minds, 
ardent  piety,  sound  judgment,  firm  faith  and  untiring  zeal.  Their 
courage  was  unflinching  and  they  were  distinguished  for  great 
soundness  in  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel.  They  were  close  students 
of  the  Bible,  men  of  one  book.  They  believed  in  what  they  preached 
and  those  that  heard  them  believed  that  they  believed  it.  They 
were  chosen  vessels, — apostles,  on  whom  a  necessity  had  been  laid 
to  preach  the  Gospel.  To  other  natural  and  spiritual  qualifications, 
there  were  added  great  physical  constitutions.  And  thus  furnished, 
they  did  the  Master's  work  in  heat  and  cold,  by  day  and  by  night, 
threading  the  wilderness  by  marked  trees,  swimming  the  rivers,  ex- 
posed to  rain  and  snow,  often  with  no  guide  and  at  the  peril  of 
their  lives.  And  they  were  everywhere  welcomed.  The  scattered 
settlers  hungered  for  the  bread  of  life,  and  these  men  dispensed  it 
with  great  hearts  and  liberal  hands.  They  had  sought  the  wilder- 
ness for  this  very  purpose,  not  called  to  the  pastorates  of  churches, — 
not  expecting  settlements,  not  to  live  upon  the  people,  but  to  pleach 
the  Gospel  and  to  win  souls.  Even  where  they  settled  and  became 
pastors,  they  had  no  salaries;  they  lived  by  the  labor  of  their  own 
hands.  They  took  up  farms,  felled  trees,  rolled  logs,  made  potash, 
put  in  seed  and  gathered  the  grateful  harvests,  and  they  were  as 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  77 

good  farmers  as  they  were  ministers.  In  short,  they  were  great  men, 
and  God  blessed  their  labors,  giving  them  good  success."  (Conven- 
tion Hist.  Add.,  1875). 

A  vivid  conception  of  an  associational  gathering  in  the  e  irly 
days  calls  for  an  exercise  of  imagination,  assisted  by  something  be- 
sides the  formal  minutes  of  the  body.  These  anniversaries  involved 
long  journeys  over  bad  mountainous  roads.  The  hospitality  of  the 
entertaining  churches  were  heavily  taxed,  though  the  burden  was 
most  cheerfully  borne.  Their  accommodations  were  not  ample  and 
the  delegates  had  to  make  the  best  of  what  they  could  find.  Beds 
were  made  up  on  the  floor  and  the  men  were  sometimes  compelled 
to  sleep  in  the  pews  in  the  meeting-house.  It  was  on  one  of  these 
occasions  that  Elder  Leland,  who  was  a  very  fleshy  man,  snored 
loudly.  One  nervous  minister,  unable  to  sleep  on  account  of  Le- 
land's  snoring,  bore  his  trial  as  long  as  he  could,  and  then,  standing 
up  full  length  in  the  pew  he  called  out,  "Elder  Leland,  Elder  Leland, 
the  glory  of  your  nostrils  is  terrible." 

But  the  serious  features  of  these  gatherings  were  far  more  in 
evidence  than  the  mirthful.  They  were  often  genuinely  evange- 
listic, the  massing  of  the  spiritual  forces  of  the  body  upon  the  com- 
munity where  the  association  was  held.  A  notice  of  the  Vermont 
Association  published  in  the  Vermont  Telegraph  in  1829  is  sugges- 
tive of  the  evangelistic  motive  of  an  Association.  The  x\ssociation 
was  to  be  holden  in  the  new  meeting-house  in  Bridport  the  first 
Thursday  in  June,  and  this  was  the  call : 

"The  churches  are  requested  to  send  active  lay  brethren  to 
visit  from  house  to  house  and  hold  meetings  in  different  parts  of  the 
town  on  Wednesday  preceding  the  Association.  Brethren  from 
Shoreham  will  be  received  and  conducted  in  visiting  by  Dea.  S. 
Converse;  from  Crown  Point,  by  Bro.  Frost  and  Bro.  Wilcox; 
from  Moriah,  by  Breth.  Hiram  Smith  and  J.  C.  Eldrige;  from 
Panton  and  Ferrisburg,  by  Bro.  Luther  Smith;  from  Addison,  by 
Bro.  Hinds.  Breth  from  Weybridge  will  visit  in  the  northeast 
neighborhood,  and  call  on  Cap.  W.  Cory  for  entertainment  and 
from  Cornwall  on  Bro.  Wm.  Baldwin;  from  other  churches  will 
be  directed  by  myself  when  they  arrive. 

Jonathan  Merriam." 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

This  was,  doubtless,  a  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Association  as 
the  regular  session  of  the  body  was  held  in  October  that  year  at 
Rutland.  It  is  interesting  to  turn  to  the  statistical  table  of  the 
Association  and  to  find  reported  the  next  year  twenty -two  baptisms 
in  the  Bridport  church.  One  can  hardly  refrain  from  connecting  in 
thought  the  meeting  in  June,  1828,  with  the  cheering  report  in 
1830. 


Chapter  VI 
MANCHESTER  ASSOCIATION 

It  was  with  the  Manchester  church  that  the  Vermont  Baptist 
Association  was  organized  in  Elder  Cornell 's  barn  in  1785.  For  some 
ten  years  this  church  remained  a  member  of  the  Association  it  had 
been  so  influential  in  forming.  By  this  time  the  Vermont  Associa- 
tion had  enlarged  its  borders  far  to  the  north,  embracing  the 
churches  of  Orwell  and  Shoreham  sixty  miles  away,  leaving'  Man- 
chester on  the  extreme  southern  limit.  From  their  distance  from 
the  center  of  this  body,  and  from  their  own  depressed  condition  for 
years  after  Elder  Cornell 's  removal,  as  well  as  on  account  of  the 
distracted  condition  of  the  Association,  they  were  discouraged,  and 
failing  to  represent  themselves  were  left  off  the  minutes,  and  re- 
mained unassociated  until  1818,  when  in  the  same  barn  where  the 
Vermont  Association  had  been  organized,  a  new  Association  was 
formed  under  the  name  of  The  Manchester  Association.  The 
churches  uniting  with  this  body  were:  Arlington,  Manchester, 
Dorset,  Londonderry,  Hebron,  Rupert,  and  Winhall;  Pawlet,  and 
Wallingford  afterward  joined  it.  The  largest  number  of  members 
in  this  body  at  any  time  was  six  hundred  and  eighty.  The  prin- 
cipal ministers  were  Rev.  C.  M.  Fuller,  P.  W.  Reynolds,  C.  Cham- 
berlain and  I.  Beals. 

Those  who  planned  the  organization  hoped  to  have  united  all 
the  churches  from  the  Green  Mountains  on  the  east,  to  the  Hudson 
River  on  the  west,  and  from  Arlington  and  Salem  on  the  south,  to 
Wallingford  and  Whitehall  on  the  north,  but  the  formation  of  the 
Washington  Association  in  1827  prevented  the  accomplishment  of 
this  purpose.  The  Association  was  dissolved  in  1829  or  1830. 
Some  of  the  churches  have  become  extinct:  Arlington,  Dorset, 
Winhall,  Hebron  and  Rupert.  The  others  united  with  the  Associa- 
tions contiguous  to  them. 


Chapter  VII 

OTHER    CHURCHES  OF  THE   SHAFTSBURY  AND 
VERMONT  ASSOCIATIONS 

Manchester 

In  1781,  a  church  was  organized  in  Manchester  by  Elder 
Nathan  Mason,  and  other  brethren  present,  from  the  church  in 
Lanesboro,  Mass.  Many  of  the  early  settlers  of  this  town  were 
from  the  Baptist  colony  that  had  come  up  a  few  years  before  from 
Rhode  Island  and  south-eastern  Massachusetts.  At  the  same  time 
Elder  Joseph  Cornell  was  elected  pastor  of  the  church,  a  position 
which  he  held  for  fourteen  years.  He  came  to  Manchester  by  invita- 
tion the  year  preceding,  immediately  after  his  ordination  in  Lan- 
singburgh.  He  was  born  in  Swansea  in  1747.  He  entered  into  his 
ministry  with  a  heart  full  of  missionary  ardor,  and  success  attended 
his  labors.  His  barn  served  for  a  time  as  meeting-house.  The  habits 
and  manners  of  Elder  Cornell  were  peculiarly  adapted  to  his  times. 
His  ardent  evangelistic  and  missionary  spirit  made  Manchester  for 
him  the  center  from  which  his  influence  went  out  in  every  direction. 

The  Manchester  church  united  with  the  Shaftsbury  Associa- 
tion in  1784,  but  never  met  again  with  that  body,  it  is  presumed,  for 
forty-five  years  or  more;  because  in  1785  the  Vermont  Association 
was  formed  in  Elder  Cornell's  barn  to  which  this  church  became 
connected  and  remained  some  ten  years,  when  discouraged  and 
failing  to  report  to  the  Association  it  was  dropped  from  the  roll, 
and  never  reunited  with  any  other  body  till  1818,  when  the  Man- 
chester Association  was  organized,  embracing  a  few  adjacent 
churches  that  held  together  in  an  associated  body  till  about  1830. 
Many  of  those  who  resided  in  town  when  Elder  Cornell  settled  in  it 
were  transient  settlers,  gathered  there  as  a  post  of  safety  during  the 
troublous  scenes  of  the  war  of  the  Revolution,  who  at  its  close  re- 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

moved  elsewhere,  so  that  the  church  suffered  diminution  of  num- 
bers and  strength.  Its  reduced  condition  was  the  reason  assigned 
by  Elder  Cornell  in  asking  for  his  release  from  the  pastorate. 

Calvin  Chamberlain,  who  came  from  Brandon  and  took  charge 
of  this  church  in  April,  1801,  was  the  second  pastor.  During  his 
ministry  of  twenty-two  years  there  was  a  succession  of  gracious 
revivals.  Elder  John  R.  Dodge  was  associated  with  Chamberlain 
as  assistant  pastor  two  years.  Chamberlain  did  not  wholly  resign 
charge  of  the  church  till  his  death.  In  his  last  days  he  was  permitted 
to  see  the  salvation  of  God  among  his  beloved  people.  In  the  fall 
of  1824,  from  September  to  December,  a  revival  was  enjoyed  which 
brought  some  twenty-five  into  the  church  who  were  baptized  by 
Elder  Dodge.  With  such  influences  around  him  Elder  Chamberlain 
passed  away.  He  died  November,  1824.  Mr.  Dodge  was  succeeded 
in  the  spring  of  1825  by  Elder  P.  W.  Reynolds  who,  after  a  four 
years'  successful  pastorate,  resigned,  he  having  embraced  the  views 
of  Alexander  Campbell.  The  church  labored  for  months  to  reclaim 
him,  called  a  council  for  advice,  but  to  no  purpose.  Finally  in  De- 
cember, 1829,  they  withdrew  their  fellowship  from  him.  He,  with 
ten  or  fifteen  others  from  the  church,  set  up  a  counter  interest 
which  existed  many  years.  Moses  Field  was  chosen  fifth  pastor, 
and  before  the  first  year  of  his  ministrj^  had  closed  thirty  were 
added  to  the  church.  Two  years  later  a  brick  meeting-house  was 
erected  at  Factory  Point,  a  most  promising  part  of  the  village. 
Silas  Kennedy  was  the  sixth  pastor,  remaining  two  and  a  half 
years.  Dexter  P.  Smith  was  the  seventh,  1838-1839.  Assisted  by 
Elder  William  Grant,  in  a  series  of  meetings  in  the  busy  month  of 
July,  he  was  permitted  to  gather  some  fifty  souls  into  the  church. 
For  a  week  or  two  baptisms  occurred  almost  daily,  and  in  that  one 
month  about  forty  were  buried  with  Christ.  At  the  close  of  this 
pastorate  the  membership  was  one  hundred  and  twenty-six.  D.  W. 
Burroughs,  Harvey  I.  Parker,  G.  S.  Stockwell,  Winthrop  Morse  and 
Stephen  Wright,  served  short  pastorates.  From  the  death  of  Elder 
Chamberlain  the  length  of  the  succeeding  pastorates  averaged 
about  three  years. 

T.  H.  Archibald  was  pastor  two  years,  1854-1856,  George 
Carpenter  one,  1857.    Then  A.  M.  Swan  led  the  church  on  a  pros- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERxMONT  83 

perous  course,  serving  five  years;  1858-1863.  At  this  time  the 
church  reached  its  highest  mark  in  the  number  of  members  and 
apparent  prosperity.  In  1860  it  reported  to  the  /Association  as  fol- 
lows: "We  have  received  accessions  every  communion  but  one 
for  thirty-two  months,  during  which  time  one  hundred  and  forty- 
seven  have  united. "  The  total  membership  became  two  hundred 
and  twenty-six  in  1863.  From  that  time  the  changes  in  pastors 
have  been  frequent  and  the  membership  declining.  The  list  of  pas- 
tors is  as  follows:  O.  C.  Kirkham,  E.  B.  Hurlbert,  C.  J.  Butler, 
W.  S.  Blaisdell,  D.  F.  Estes,  T.  H.  Archibald,  J.  A.  Swart,  E.  E. 
Brown,  Herbert  Probert,  O.  F.  Waltze,  J.  A.  Swart,  J.  N.  Latter- 
mer,  D.  R.  Watson,  J.  S.  Brown,  H.  S.  McCready,  E.  M.  Fuller, 
F.  S.  Clark.     Membership,  seventy-nine  in  1912. 

Ira 

Several  families  were  settled  within  the  present  limits  of  the 
town  of  Ira  before  the  Revolutionary  war,  whose  religious  sympa- 
thies were  with  the  Baptists.  The  town  was  organized  in  1779,  but 
there  was  no  church  organization  until  1783.  The  organization  was 
effected  through  the  labors  of  Rev.  Thomas  Skeels,  who  had 
preached  occasionally  for  eight  years,  and  with  a  few  believers  as 
the  constituent  membership,  he  accepted  the  pastorate  of  the  in- 
fant church.  The  pastorate  of  Mr.  Skeels  was  very  brief.  He  left 
in  the  spring  of  1785,  leaving  a  membership  of  some  fifty -three, 
showing  that  his  labors  were  abundantly  blessed  for  so  large  a  num- 
ber in  proportion  to  the  population  to  be  added  to  the  church.  The 
church  was  supplied  occasionally  by  Rev.  Henry  Green  of  Walling- 
ford.  Rev.  Amasa  Brown  was  settled  as  pastor  on  February  13, 
1786,  and  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  May  29,  1788.  Deacon 
Reuben  Baker  was  then  licensed  to  preach,  and  continued  to  min- 
ister to  the  church  several  years,  but  was  not  ordained.  Rev. 
Thomas  Skeels  was  then  recalled  November  15,  1791,  and  was  set- 
tled on  a  salary  of  seventy -five  pounds.  In  otie  year,  however,  he 
was  called  to  his  reward.  He  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith  and  his 
body  rests  in  the  village  graveyard,  surrounded  by  those  among 
whom  he  labored. 


84  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

For  several  years  after  the  death  of  Elder  Skeels  the  church 
was  without  stated  preaching,  save  by  occasional  supplies,  until 
December  31,  1801,  when  Rev.  Joseph  Carpenter  was  ordained 
pastor,  and  he  divided  his  labor  between  his  farm  work  and  preach- 
ing on  the  Sabbath  and  from  house  to  house  until  1812,  during 
which  time  a  gracious  revival  commenced  and  continued,  reaching 
with  its  blessed  influence  into  adjoining  towns,  until  two  hundred 
and  twenty -five  souls  were  added  to  the  church.  On  the  18th  of 
June,  1812,  a  branch  was  set  off  and  formed  a  church  at  West 
Clarendon.  In  1813,  Rev.  Leland  Howard  became  a  member  of  the 
church  and  served  them  till  November  15th,  when,  at  his  own  re- 
quest, he  was  dismissed.  The  same  autumn  Rev.  William  McCuller 
became  pastor,  who  is  reported  as  being  thoroughly  doctrinal  in  his 
sermons,  and  whose  labors  appear  to  have  been  very  acceptable. 
A  revival  of  most  interesting  character  occurred  during  his  min- 
istry, which  signally  changed  the  character  of  the  inhabitants  of 
the  town;  about  forty  persons,  all  of  them  heads  of  families,  hus- 
bands and  wives,  were  received  into  the  church  by  baptism,  by  which 
it  was  greatly  strenghened.  In  the  autumn  of  1819,  McCuller  re- 
signed, and  the  church  was  dependent  upon  supplies  until  July  10, 
1822,  when  Rev.  Lyman  Glazier  was  ordained  as  pastor.  He  is  re- 
ported as  being  a  man  of  excellent  spirit.  He  continued  his  work 
till  his  death  in  1825.  In  the  fall  of  1825  John  Peck  became  pastor 
and  continued  two  years.  Artemas  Arnold  followed  with  a  two 
years'  pastorate.  February  15,  1832,  Joseph  Packer  was  ordained 
an  evangelist  and  preached  as  a  supply  for  about  four  years.  In  the 
month  of  March  previous  to  Mr.  Packer's  coming  to  them,  the 
church  collected  together  for  prayer  and  supplication  to  God  for 
an  outpouring  of  His  Spirit,  and  a  great  awakening  followed  as  a 
result,  and  Brother  Packer  found  them  enjoying  a  most  powerful 
revival  which  continued  under  his  ministry  until  he  was  permitted 
to  baptize  more  than  one  hundred  persons,  mostly  in  middle  life 
and  heads  of  families.  The  departure  of  Brother  Packer  occurred  in 
1836,  and  the  church  was  again  dependent  upon  supplies  from 
abroad.  Rev.  John  Peck  supplying  most  of  the  time.  Rev.  John 
Cannon  was  engaged  for  one  year,  and  then  John  Peck  again  oc- 
cupied the  pulpit  till  May  1,  1838,  when  Rev.  Elias  Hurlbut  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  85 

settled,  and  during  his  ministry  another  gracious  refreshing  is  re- 
corded, as  the  result  about  thirty  persons  were  added  to  the  church. 
Rev.  Jacob  P.  Huntington,  Frederick  Page,  and  Levi  Smith  served 
brief  pastorates  between  1842  and  1844.  Rev.  Norman  Clark  was 
called  and  entered  upon  a  fruitful  pastorate  of  seven  years.  Warren 
Mason  was  pastor  from  April  1,  186,S,  till  March,  1865.  He  was 
ordained  November  18,  1863. 

In  April  following,  Rev.  C.  P.  Frenyear  was  invited  to  supply 
until  November,  at  the  expiration  of  which  time  he  accepted  a  call 
to  the  pastorate.  In  January,  1866,  it  was  voted  to  observe  "The 
World 's  Prayer  meeting, "  which  occurred  during  the  coldest  period 
that  had  been  known  for  many  years.  In  consequence  of  this  but 
few  assembled  for  prayer,  but  the  blessed  promise  was  fulfilled  in 
their  experience.  The  prayers  of  the  few  were  heard,  the  divine 
presence  was  experienced,  and  the  influence  of  the  meetings  per- 
meated the  whole  church  like  leaven  in  the  meal  till  all  were  filled 
with  the  spirit  of  prayer  and  earnest  zeal.  For  five  weeks  the  meet- 
ings were  sustained,  the  pastor  having  secured  the  assistance  of 
Elder  Coon.  Baptisms  were  frequent,  and  the  spirit  of  giving  was 
quickened,  as  their  annual  reports  showed.  Mr.  Frenyear  closed 
his  work  here  on  the  first  of  November,  1867.  Edward  Ashton,  L.  Kin- 
ney and  O.  C.  Sargent,  followed  with  brief  terms  of  service.  Rev. 
C.  Blaisdell  served  from  April,  1875,  till  May,  1878.  Rev.  W.  R. 
Warner  was  then  installed.  The  minutes  speak  of  the  26th  of 
May,  (only  a  few  days  after  the  installation  of  Brother  Warner) 
as  a  day  long  to  be  remembered  by  the  church.  On  this  day  twenty 
persons,  mostly  young  people,  were  united  to  Christ  by  baptism. 
"  While  the  lightnings  flashed  over  their  heads,  and  the  loud  peals 
of  thunder  rent  the  air,  and  the  rain  fell  in  copious  showers,  they 
went  down  into  the  water  with  their  hearts  full  of  the  love  of 
Christ."  "Perfect  love  casteth  out  fear."  Early  in  the  autumn 
following,  by  invitation  of  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dwight  Spencer, 
then  of  Fair  Haven,  came  and  commenced  a  series  of  meetings, 
which  interested  several  outside  of  the  church,  and  also  awakened 
.  much  serious  anxiety  and  prayerfulness  in  the  minds  and  hearts  of 
christians. 


86  HISTORY  OF   THE  BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 

His  searching  and  powerful  sermons  were  succeeded  by  the 
exhaustive  and  eloquent  appeals  of  the  Rev.  M.  Burnham,  the 
evangelist.  Very  material  aid  was  rendered  by  the  Rev.  J.  K.  Rich- 
ardson of  Rutland.  Baptisms  are  reported  as  follows:  December 
1,  ten;  December  8,  twelve;  December  15,  seven;  December 
22,  eight,  making  thirty-six  that  month.  On  the  first  of  June,  fol- 
lowing, five  more  received  the  rite  under  peculiarly  happy  circum- 
stances. A  long  drouth  had  prevailed  for  several  weeks  and  vegeta- 
tion was  suffering.  Everything  was  parched  and  dry.  After  the 
baptismal  service,  while  the  pastor  was  giving  the  hand  of  fellow- 
ship previous  to  administering  the  Lord 's  Supper,  a  heavy  rain  was 
filling  up  the  streams  and  refreshmg  the  earth,  symbolizing  their 
own  experience. 

Mr.  Warner's  pastorate  ended  October  27th,  1880.  During 
the  following  nine  months,  in  the  interim  between  pastors,the  church 
sustained  services  every  Sunday,  one  of  the  deacons  reading  a  ser- 
mon; three  prayer  meetings  were  held  every  week  and  well  sus- 
tained. Rev.  John  B.  Lewis  took  up  the  work  April  24th,  1881. 
The  membership  of  the  church  at  this  time  was  one  hundred  and 
twenty-one.  It  will  be  observed  that  no  dissensions  or  church 
troubles  have  been  reported  in  this  sketch  of  the  church's  history. 
As  a  matter  of  fact  the  records  are  almost  entirely  free  from  these 
painful  experiences.  Doubtless,  differences  have  arisen  and  de- 
linquencies among  the  membership  have  occurred,  and  the  hand  of 
fellowship  has  had  to  be  withdrawn  from  some,  but  the  spirit  of  love 
seems  to  have  characterized  even  these  sad  chapters  of  the  church 's 
history. 

The  list  of  pastors  from  1888  to  1912  is  as  follows:  W.  M. 
Hitchcock,  1888-1891;  William  Wyeth,  1893-1894;  George  H. 
Watt,  1895;  C.  A.  Johnson,  1897-1898;  B.  A.  Schurke,  1899-1900; 
Thomas  Davison,  1901-1903;  T.  Ellis  Jones,  1904-1906;  Leonard 
Aldrich,  1907-1908;  G.  A.  Littlefield,  1909;  Thomas  Adams,  1910. 

MiDDLETOWN 

The  Baptist  church  in  Mid^letown  was  formed  in  1784.  From 
about  1790  to  1802  it  was  a  large  church  and  embraced  in  its  com- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  87 

niunion  members  residing  in  the  town  of  Wells,  Poultney,  Tin- 
mouth  and  Ira.  In  1802,  residents  in  Poultney,  thirty -four  or  thirty- 
five  in  number,  withdrew  and  formed  a  church  in  that  to^\'n.  In 
the  first  meeting  of  which  we  have  any  record,  Caleb  Smith  was 
elected  moderator  and  Thomas  McClure,  clerk.  Caleb  Smith  ap- 
pears to  have  been  the  leading  man  from  that  time  until  his  death, 
November  10,  1803.  He  usually  acted  as  moderator  in  the  absence 
of  the  pastor  and  was  the  first  deacon.  He  was  not  a  noisy  man,  but 
undoubtedly  an  efficient  worker,  laying  the  foundations  of  the 
institutions  in  the  settlement.  Among  the  first  members  of  this 
church  were  Caleb  Smith,  Thomas  McClure,  John  Sunderland, 
Gamaliel  Waldo,  Hezekiah  Mallary,  Daniel  Ford,  Asher  Blunt, 
David  Wood,  Ephraim  Foster,  Josiah  Johnson,  Nathan  Walton 
and  Jonathan  Haynes.  Jonathan  Haynes  was  early  elected  deacon 
but  did  not  accept  the  office  for  the  reason  probably  of  his  physical 
infirmities,  occasioned  by  a  terrible  wound  he  received  in  Ben- 
nington, 1777.  He  was  a  useful  man  in  the  church  while  he  lived, 
held  many  important  positions  and  was  regarded  as  a  sincere,  ar- 
dent and  devoted  christian.  Daniel  Ford,  a  good  christian  man,  the 
father  of  Nathan  Ford,  and  grandfather  of  Joel  Ford,  was  elected 
deacon  to  supply  the  place  to  which  Mr.  Haynes  was  elected. 
Gamaliel  Waldo,  one  of  those  decided,  stern,  resolute  men,  who  was 
not  to  be  moved  by  any  outside  influence,  was  another  efficient  mem- 
ber. And  this  was  to  a  great  extent  the  character  of  nearly  all  the 
early  members  of  both  this  and  the  Congregational  church.  Both 
churches  were  formed  at  a  time  and  under  circumstances  that  we 
should  hardly  suppose  would  have  admitted  of  prosperity,  but  they 
at  once  sprang  into  life  and  activity,  and  perhaps  were  as  successful 
in  the  first  year  of  their  existence  as  they  have  ever  been  since  in  the 
same  period  of  time.  The  Baptist  church  was  without  a  pastor  till 
1790,  during  which  time  Rev.  Hezekiah  Eastman  seems  to  have 
administered  at  communion  seasons  and  performed  the  rite  of  bap- 
tism. 

Rev.  Sylvanus  Haynes,  of  Provincetown,  Mass.,  was  ordained 
pastor  August  30,  1790,  and  remained  in  office  twenty-seven  years. 
The  Baptist  Society  bought  a  piece  of  land  for  him  of  Captain 
Joseph  Spaulding,  and  Mr,  Haynes  commenced  living  on  it  in  a  log 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

house.  Besides  attending  to  his  ministerial  duties  he  did  a  good  deal 
of  work  on  his  land.  The  church  prospered  under  the  ministry  of 
Mr.  Haynes.  He  was  a  faithful  minister,  author  of  several  religious 
works,  which  at  the  time  gave  him  a  good  reputation  as  a  writer  in 
his  denomination.  He  preached  the  election  sermon  before  the 
Legislature  of  Vermont,  in  October,  1809,  which  sermon  was  printed 
by  vote  of  the  Legislature.  To  Mr.  Haynes  belongs  the  honor  not 
only  of  being  the  first  settled  minister  of  the  Baptist  church  here, 
but  the  first  minister  settled  in  Middletown.  He  preached  in  log 
meeting-houses  and  private  houses  until  what  has  been  known  as 
the  Congregational  house  was  completed  in  1790,  when  he  preached 
in  that  until  the  Baptist  house  was  built  in  1806. 

Rev.  Seth  Ewens  supplied  the  church  about  two  years.  Rev. 
Isaac  Bucklin  was  pastor,  1821-1828.  Rev.  Mr.  Fuller,  Rev.  Linus 
J.  Reynolds,  and  Rev.  G.  B.  Day  each  preached  here  between  1828 
and  1832.  Rev.  Mr.  Day  was  ordained  here.  He  was  a  very  zealous 
man  and  was  here  during  the  revival  of  1831.  In  one  day,  Septem- 
ber, 1831,  there  were  thirty-six  persons  baptized  and  received  into 
the  church.  Rev.  Mr.  Soullard  was  pastor  three  years  and  went  to 
Pawlet  sometime  in  1837.  Rev.  E.  B.  BuUard  was  pastor  from  1839 
to  1841.  He  was  a  well  educated  and  a  very  devoted  man.  After 
leaving  here  he  went  to  Burma  and  died  there.  Robert  Meyers  fol- 
lowed with  a  four  years'  pastorate.  Rev.  R.  O.  Dwyer  came  in 
1846  and  remained  about  three  years.  He  removed  to  a  place  near 
Saratoga,  N.  Y.,  became  a  chaplain  in  one  of  the  New  York  regi- 
ments, and  died  in  the  service  of  his  country.  His  only  son  was  a 
soldier  in  the  same  regiment  and  was  killed  in  battle  about  the  time 
of  his  father's  death. 

J.  M.  Smith  was  pastor,  1848-1850.  J.  J.  Peck  followed  two  or 
three  years.  Rev.  Berriah  Leach,  a  native  of  the  town,  officiated 
five  years,  followed  by  Cyprian  Frenyear  and  Thomas  Tobin. 

In  recent  years  there  have  been  a  succession  of  very  brief  pas- 
torates with  few  accessions.  Intervals  between  pastorates  have 
been  seasons  of  depression.  With  the  coming  of  each  new  pastor 
hopes  have  revived.  A  few  years  have  been  marked  by  special 
tokens  of  grace,  as  in  1890,  when  twenty-eight  were  received  by  bap- 
tism and  five  by  letter,  the  fruitage  of  special  meetings  under  the 


C.  A.  Thomas,  D.  D. 

Pastor  of  Baptist  Church  in  Brandon  183{> — 1875 
Born,  1800— Died,  1889 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  89 

lead  of  State  Missionary,  A.  McGeorge.  In  1898,  ten  new  members 
were  added.  Sunday  schools  and  cottage  prayer  meetings  have 
been  sustained  .^ 

Total   membership   in    1911,   fifty.      Resident   membership, 
thirty-six. 

Brandon 

The  Baptist  church  in  Brandon  was  constituted  in  1785,  the 
year  following  that  on  which  the  town  received  the  name  which  it 
bears.  The  town  was  chartered  by  the  name  of  Neshobe,  October 
20, 1762;  its  name  was  changed  to  Brandon  October  20,  1784.  The 
original  members,  so  far  as  can  be  ascertained,  were  twelve  in 
number,  as  follows:  Nathaniel  Sheldon,  Noah  Strong,  Elizabeth 
Strong,  Solomon  Tuttle,  John  Mott,  Mary  Mott,  Nathaniel  Welch, 
Peter  Whalen,  Elizabeth  Whalen,  Thomas  Tuttle,  Deborah  Tuttle, 
Thomas  Tuttle,  Jr.  For  several  years  the  church  was  without  a 
settled  pastor  or  a  house  of  worship.  The  dwellings  of  Nathaniel 
Sheldon  and  Solomon  Soper  were  often  the  church's  sanctuary. 
Accessions  were  made  from  time  to  time.  The  church,  while  desti- 
tute of  a  pastor,  was  supplied  occasionally  by  neighboring  pastors 
as  Elnathan  Phelps,  Henry  Greene,  Isaac  Beals,  Elisha  Rich,  Eph- 
raim  Sawyer,  Nathan  Dana,  Hezekiah  Eastman,  and  Isaac  Fuller. 

In  1789,  Mr.  Isaac  Webb,  who  had  been  employed  as  a  licen- 
tiate preacher,  was  called  to  ordination.  The  terms  of  his  settle- 
ment were  "one  hundred  pounds  settlement  in  lands,  and  thirty -five 
pounds  for  the  first  year,  and  to  rise  five  pounds  a  year  till  it 
amounts  to  sixty  pounds,  which  is  to  be  his  stated  yearly  salary." 
Mr.  Webb  was  ordained  September  25th,  1789.  Caleb  Blood 
preached  the  ordination  sermon,  Isaac  Beals  gave  charge,  and 
Henry  Greene  the  hand  of  fellowship. 

Mr.  Webb  was  the  first  settled  pastor  in  town.  The  Congrega- 
tional church,  however,  was  the  earlier  in  date  of  organization, 
and  on  that  account  the  ministerial  lands  were  equally  divided  be- 
tween the  two  denominations  most  amicably. 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

During  the  first  fifty  years  of  its  liistory  the  church  had  eleven 
pastors.     During  the  next  fifty  years  it  had  three  pastors. 

A  log  meeting-house  was  built  in  1790,  wliich  was  occupied 
ten  years,  when  a  new  edifice  was  erected  which  served  till  1835, 
when  the  present  church  edifice  was  dedicated. 

Isaac  Webb,  the  first  pastor,  was  succeeded  by  Calvin  Cham- 
berlain, who  was  ordained  here,  and  had  a  prosperous  pastorate  of 
five  years.  In  1795,  Jonathan  Merriam  came  from  Ashburnham, 
Mass.,  and  was  followed  by  his  brother-in-law,  John  Conant. 
These  two  men  became  eminently  influential  and  helpful  in  the 
church.  Mr.  Merriam  was  appointed  deacon  in  1806,  and  died  in 
1826,  aged  sixty -two  years.  John  Conant  was  chosen  deacon  in 
1826,  and  died  in  1856,  aged  eighty -three.  He  was  a  man  of  great 
decision  and  energj^  of  character;  nothing  was  too  difficult  for  him. 
The  present  meeting-house  was  built  under  his  supervision  and 
labor.  Few  works  of  improvement  in  the  village  of  Brandon  were 
undertaken  during  his  active  life  but  received  his  approbation 
and  aid. 

This  church  has  been  specially  observant  of  its  members  who 
were  inclined  to  the  gospel  ministry  and  gave  promise  of  usefulness 
in  the  work.  Of  this  class  were:  Thomas  Tuttle,  Jr.,  Isaac  Merriam, 
Jonathan  Merriam,  Jr.,  Reuben  Sawyer,  David  Hendee,  Cyrus 
Hodges,  Conant  Sa\Nyer,  Warham  Walker,  Isaac  Sawyer,  Nathan 
Brown,  A.  H.  Stowell,  B.  F.  Burr,  Leland  Huntley,  C.  B.  Smith, 
Mylon  Merriam,  George  W.  Stockwell,  Alvah  Hovey,  Cyrus 
Thomas  and  Edward  J.  McKenna. 

Accessions  to  membership  have  been  made  for  the  most  part 
little  by  little,  but  there  have  been  seasons  of  general  revival.  In 
1836,  fifty-seven  persons  were  received  by  baptism  and  letter;  in 
1839,  forty-four;  in  1842,  sixteen;  in  1850,  fourteen;  in  1854,  six- 
teen; in  1857,  eighteen;  in  1865,  eighteen;  in  1866,  eighteen;  in 
1869,  twenty-one;  in  1875,  twenty-four;  and  in  1878,  thirty-nine, 
following  the  meetings  of  evangelist  Earle,  and  in  1884,  under  the 
pastorate  of  D.  E.  Post,  and  following  the  meetings  of  Evangelist 
Bennett,  thirty  were  added. 

The  most  notable  pastorate  in  the  history  of  this  church  was 
that  of  Cornelius  A.  Thomas,  continuing  forty  years.    The  other 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  91 

pastors  and  their  terms  of  service  have  been  as  follows:  Calvin 
Chamberlain,  five  years;  Ithiel  Peck,  two;  Moses  Ware,  two; 
Joshua  Young,  three;  Abiel  Fisher,  two;  Elisha  Starkwether,  two; 
Isaac  Sawyer,  six;  Joseph  W.  Sawyer,  three;  William  Hutchinson, 
two;  George  B.  Ide,  two.  Eleven  pastors  during  the  first  fifty  years 
of  the  church's  history.  The  successors  of  Mr.  Thomas  have  been, 
David  R.  Watson,  five  years;  B.  E.  Post,  five;  E.  A.  Herring,  ten; 
J.  J.  Townshend,  five;  E.  M.  Bartlett,  six;  George  Pomfrey,  one; 
C.  A.  Nutting,  one;  C.  W.  Turner. 

Benson 

This  church  was  constituted  in  1797.  Elder  Abel  Woods  was 
principally  instrumental  in  its  organization.  During  the  first  year 
it  increased  from  fourteen  to  thirty-nine  members.  In  1805,  it  re- 
ported fifty-nine  communicants.  After  this  no  mention  of  this 
church  is  found  in  the  minutes  for  several  years.  Nothing  of  special 
interest  is  recorded  until  1823,  when  Elder  John  Carter  and  a  large 
part  of  the  members  were  deprived  of  their  standing,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  change  of  sentiment.  This  was  a  great  stroke  to  the 
church.  Yet  it  struggled  along  till  1834  and  then  discontinued  its 
meetings.  In  1840,  under  the  labors  of  Elder  Henry  Allen,  it  re- 
vived again,  several  additions  were  made  by  baptism  and  it  again 
was  in  fellowship  with  the  Association.  In  1843,  it  reported  sixty- 
five  communicants.  It  then  ceased  to  make  returns. 

Dorset 

A  small  church  was  organized  here  in  1796,  by  Elder  Corpse. 
John  Howard  became  pastor  for  three  years.  When  he  left  the 
church  numbered  fifteen.  It  continued  happy  and  united  and  oc- 
casionally enjoying  supplies  for  a  number  of  years.  In  1804,  it  built 
a  meeting-house.  The  church  was  rather  low  from  this  time  till 
1814,  when  it  enjoyed  for  two  years  the  labors  of  Horace  Griswold, 
received  some  additions,  and  was  encouraged  to  hope  and  pray  for 
greater  blessings.  The  blessings  came.  A  considerable  quickening 
and  increase  was  experienced  under  the  labors  of  Rev.  C.  M.  Fuller. 


92  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IX  VERMONT 

The  church  increased  to  sixty.  After  this  it  began  to  decline  and 
though  it  enjoyed  at  different  times  supplies  for  longer  or  shorter 
periods,  it  continued  to  go  down  and  became  extinct. 

A  second  church  was  organized  in  the  center  of  the  town  about 
the  year,  1808,  comprising  about  twenty  members.  For  a  time  it 
bid  fair  to  become  a  useful  church,  but  it  soon  dwindled  and  became 
extinct. 

East  Hubbardton 

Organized  in  1787,  as  a  branch  of  the  Manchester  church. 
The  first  preaching  was  by  Abel  Woods  in  the  spring  of  1785. 
A  few  were  converted  under  his  labors.  From  this  time  meetings 
were  held  regularly  on  the  Sabbaths,  in  a  log  barn  in  summer, 
and  in  a  log  house  in  the  winter,  until  a  schoolhouse  was  built 
in  1786.  Elders  Cornell  and  Skeels  furnished  occasional  sup- 
plies for  several  years.  In  the  meantime  the  church  had  been 
organized  as  an  independent  body  and  several  members  had  been 
added  till  in  1788  they  numbered  twenty -four.  The  following  ten 
years  were  years  of  darkness  and  declension.  Elder  Nathan  Dana 
was  pastor  ten  years,  then  Elder  Stark  one  year,  when  Elder  Dana 
returned  and  lived  in  tovm  till  1816.  His  second  connection  was  not 
attended  with  the  happiest  results.  In  November,  1816,  Joseph 
Sawyer  was  ordained  as  pastor.  A  revival  followed,  resulting  in  the 
conversion  of  many  and  the  healing  of  difficulties  in  the  church. 
During  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Sawyer  about  sixty  were  added  to  the 
church.  He  was  succeeded  by  Abel  Woods,  who  labored  with  con- 
siderable success  till  1826.  A  second  season  of  exceeding  darkness 
and  declension  now  ensued  for  several  years,  during  part  of  which 
the  meetings  of  the  church  were  suspended.  In  February,  1830,  a 
short  time  after  the  church  had  given  up  their  meetings  in  de- 
spondency, a  few  brethren  were  coming  together  and  mourning 
over  the  low  estate  of  Zion.  They  concluded  at  length  to  give 
notice  of  a  meeting  in  which  the  members  might  come  together  and 
stir  each  other  up.  The  meeting  occurred  on  the  usual  Covenant 
meeting  day.  Five  members  only  were  present  and  two  of  the 
neighboring  women,  one  of  them  an  Irish  woman.   Gloom  and  sad- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  93 

ness  brooded  over  the  meeting  though  the  time  was  spent  in  prayer 
and  a  free  exchange  of  feeling  in  view  of  the  low  state  of  Zion.  Just 
before  the  members  were  about  to  depart  in  sadness  it  occurred 
to  someone  that  possibly  one  of  the  visiting  women  might  like  to 
say  a  word.  Opportunity  was  given.  To  the  great  surprise  of  all, 
the  Irish  woman  rose  and  related  a  christian  experience  full  of 
thrilling  interest.  She  had  never  heard  an  experience  nor  witnessed 
a  baptism,  but  had  read  of  both  in  the  Scriptures  and  \\ashed  her- 
self to  be  baptized.  The  other  woman  then  arose  and  related  a 
satisfactory  experience  and  closed  with  a  request  for  baptism.  The 
brethren  were  melted  to  tears,  and  the  tokens  of  the  Lord 's  pres- 
ence so  unexpected  and  so  overpowering  were  followed,  as  might 
be  expected,  by  other  and  delightful  proofs  of  his  power  and  w\\\- 
ingness  to  save.  Notice  was  circulated  of  another  meeting  on  the 
week  followang.  A  minister.  Elder  Reynolds,  was  sent  for  to  preach 
and  baptize,  and  no  small  stir  was  awakened.  The  ice  had  to  be  cut 
away  before  the  baptism  could  be  administered,  and  during  the 
ordinance  there  was  a  visible  convulsion  among  the  crowd.  The 
power  of  the  Spirit  was  manifest  and  many  were  brought  under 
conviction.  The  work  became  general  throughout  the  towai,  and  ex- 
tended into  neighboring  toiiVTis.  Other  denominations  shared  in  it, 
and  its  influence  was  felt  through  the  year  until  into  the  next  sea- 
son. As  a  part  of  the  fruit  sixty-four  were  baptized  and  added  to 
the  church.  The  labors  of  Elder  Isaac  Fuller  were  greatly  blessed 
in  carrying  forward  the  revival.  In  the  course  of  the  history  of  this 
church  up  to  1845,  there  were  eight  seasons  of  revival,  as  the  fruit 
of  which  two  hundred  and  twenty  were  gathered  into  the  church. 
Up  to  that  time  it  had  received  into  its  membership  three  hundred 
and  sixty-seven  and  numbered  sixty-one. 

In  1853,  Elder  B.  Allan  became  pastor.  The  next  year  the 
meeting-house  was  remodelled  at  a  cost  of  $850.  Meetings  were  held 
alternately  at  Hortonville  and  East  Street.  Allan's  pastorate  con- 
tinued thirteen  years.  After  a  year  interval,  Elder  Zen  as  Jones  be- 
came pastor  and  served  with  fidelity  till  his  death,  fourteen  years 
later.  The  death  of  this  good  pastor  was  a  heavy  blow  to  the  little 
church  he  had  so  faithfully  shepherded  so  many  years.  In  1893, 
students  from  Troy  Academy  awakened  a  deep  interest,  and  on  the 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

26th  of  November,  seventeen  were  baptized,  mostly  young 
people.  ,  In  1896,  J.  E.  Nye,  a  licentiate  of  the  church  in  Georgia 
Plain,  became  interested  in  this  little  flock,  and  began  ministering 
to  them  on  the  Sabbaths  and  returning  to  his  farm  in  Georgia  dur- 
ing the  week.  His  work  was  greatly  blessed.  He  won  the  hearts  of 
the  people  and  was  ordained  by  the  church  as  pastor.  For  sixteen 
years  this  relation  has  been  sustained,  Mr.  Nye  giving  as  much  of 
his  time  as  i:)Ossible  to  the  church  while  still  following  his  occupa- 
tion as  farmer  in  Georgia.  Throughout  its  history  the  church  has 
been  often  depleted  by  removals  and  deaths,  but  for  the  most  part 
has  manifested  remarkable  hopefulness  and  vitality. 

Rev.  Henry  S.  Archibald,  in  his  report  as  secretary  of  the 
Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Convention  in  1895,  said :  "  An  illustration 
of  the  work  that  many,  perhaps  most,  of  our  Vermont  churches  are 
called  to  do,  is  afforded  by  the  church  at  East  Hubbardton.  Here, 
where  the  servants  of  God  for  more  than  a  century  have  toiled, 
whence  almost  sixty  years  ago  Brayton  went  forth  for  a  forty  and 
more  years  of  service  on  the  foreign  field,  a  little  more  than  two 
years  ago  God  was  pleased  to  reveal  himself  to  the  handful  in  his 
mighty  power  to  save.  Seventeen  were  then  added  to  the  church 
by  baptism.  Of  that  seventeen,  ten  have  already  removed  to  other 
fields  to  do  service  for  the  Lord.  To  this  little  band  it  falls  to  sow 
the  seed,  gather  now  and  then  the  sheaves  that  look  to  promise  re- 
sults more  to  be  desired  than  much  fine  gold,  and  then  it  is  taken 
from  them  to  become  seed  scattered  upon  a  thousand  fields  that 
shall  be  in  turn  rich  with  choicest  fruitage  in  heaven 's  owti  day  of 
reward  and  ingathering. " 

POULTNEY 

The  first  settlement  of  the  town  was  commenced  by  Thomas 
Ashley  and  Ebenezer  Allen,  April,  1771.  The  first  Baptist  that 
moved  into  town  was  Isaac  Ashley,  1772,  followed  soon  after  by 
William  Ward.  They  had  both  been  baptized  the  year  previous  and 
united  with  the  church  in  Canaan,  Conn.  In  1777,  the  inhabitants 
were  all  driven  from  their  homes  by  the  British  and  Indians.  The 
next  year  they  returned,  and  soon  afterwards  a  number  of  persons 


Dea.  E.  M.  IJixBY,  roultiiey 
Member  of  Convention  Board 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IX  VERMONT  95 

were  baptized  at  different  times,  till  their  number  had  increased  to 
ten  or  twelve.  The  first  persons  baptized  in  towni  are  supposed  to 
be:  Mrs.  Thomas  Ashley  and  Mrs.  Nicholas  Marshall.  Elder 
Cornell  was  the  administrator.  Others  soon  followed,  among  whom 
were:   John  Ashley  and  Ichabod  Marshall. 

This  church  was  constituted  two  years  after  the  Wallingford 
church,  in  1782.  William  Ward  was  appointed  its  first  deacon, 
which  office  he  honorably  and  usefully  held  till  the  time  of  his  death 
in  1818.  The  little  church,  consisting  in  its  infancy  of  but  ten  or 
twelve  members,  united  with  the  Congregational  church  in  the 
support  of  preaching,  the  worship  in  the  sanctuary,  and  in  the 
observance  of  the  Lord's  Supper.  Afterwards,  in  1795,  having 
come  to  doubt  the  propriety  of  communing  with  unbaptized  per- 
sons, they  united  as  a  branch  wdth  the  Middletowai  church,  but  still 
continued  to  sustain  public  worship  with  their  Congregational 
brethren  in  Poultney.  In  1801,  they  were  set  off  from  the  Middle- 
to'^Ti  church  and  duly  recognized  as  an  indejjendent  church.  They 
soon  after  invited  Clark  Kendrick,  who  had  been  supplying  the 
desk  in  Poultney,  to  become  their  pastor.  Mr.  Kendrick  accepted 
and  was  ordained  over  them  in  180*2.  A  revival  followed  which  re- 
sulted in  the  accession  of  about  fifty  members,  some  of  whom  were 
from  the  Congregational  church.  In  1804,  the  church  numbered 
eighty-four  members.  Unhappily  a  misunderstanding  arose  be- 
tween the  two  churches  in  respect  to  the  right  to  occupy  the  meet- 
ing-house. The  result  was  the  erection  of  a  convenient  house  of 
worship  of  their  own,  and  a  very  unpleasant  state  of  feeling  between 
the  two  churches  for  several  years.  But  happily  this  feeling  sub- 
sided, and  the  two  churches  have  long  since  been  on  friendly  terms. 
During  the  twenty -two  years  of  Elder  Kendrick 's  labors  in  Poult- 
ney the  church  was  greatly  blessed.  The  whole  number  added  to 
the  church  under  his  ministry  was  two  hundred  and  thirty-three,  of 
which  there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty -five  connected  with  the 
church  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  1824. 

With  the  death  of  Elder  Kendrick  closed  the  second  twenty 
years  of  the  church's  history.  In  the  next  twenty  years  it  witnessed 
more  frequent  changes  in  the  pastoral  relation,  and  yet  a  contin- 
uance of  the  gracious  care  of  the  covenant-keeping  God.  Under  the 


96  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

labors  of  Pharcellus  Church,  Eh  B.  Smith,  and  others,  the  blessing 
of  God  was  richly  enjoyed  and  interesting  revivals  experienced 
in  the  years,  1825,  1830, 1834,  1838,  and  1843.  In  all  its  seasons  of 
refreshings  the  church  must  have  received  into  its  membership  not 
less  than  four  hundred  persons.  In  1845,  the  church  numbered  two 
hundred  and  thirty-one  members.  It  sent  out  one  of  its  members  as 
a  missionary  to  India.  Elder  Isaac  Fuller,  who  had  for  a  number  of 
years  been  a  member  of  this  church,  supplied  its  desk  at  different 
times  to  the  satisfaction  of  his  brethren  and  the  edification  of  the 
church.  He  finished  his  pious  ajid  useful  course  in  1843,  enjoying 
the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  who  knew^  him. 

In  1849,  John  Goadby  became  pastor,  and  led  the  church 
through  some  seasons  of  discouragement.  His  ten  years '  ministry 
was  blest  to  the  church.  In  1856,  twenty -one  were  received  to  the 
church.  During  the  last  year  of  his  ministry  he  was  assisted  by 
Rev.  Thomas  Cull,  and  thirty-three  were  added  to  the  church. 
Wm.  L.  Palmer  followed  with  a  fruitful  pastorate  of  six  years. 

In  1867,  came  a  crisis  in  the  history  of  the  church.  The  body 
which  hitherto  maintained  its  unity  was  divided.  Two  letters 
and  two  sets  of  delegates  were  sent  to  the  Association  and  the 
matter  of  the  difficulty  was  referred  to  a  committee  to  examine  and 
report  upon  at  the  next  session. 

The  committee  reported  in  1868,  recommending  on  the 
ground  of  the  nearlj^  equal  division  of  the  church  in  Poultney  and 
because  of  the  vote  to  divide  the  church,  that  the  Association  re- 
ceive the  letters  and  delegations  of  both  sections  as  independent 
regular  Baptist  churches.  The  division  w^as  thus  made  permanent. 
The  title  to  the  property  was  awarded  to  the  church  at  Depot 
Village.  John  Goadby  was  recalled  to  the  church  which  retained 
the  name  Poultney,  and  Rev.  Thomas  Tobin  was  chosen  pastor  of 
the  East  Poultney  church.  Mr.  Goadby  officiated  five  years,  Mr. 
Tobin,  three.  In  1873,  J.  A.  Pierce  became  pastor  of  the  Poultney 
church,  and  A.  T.  Dunn  of  the  East  Poultney  church.  That  year 
both  churches  were  blessed  with  a  remarkable  outpouring  of  the 
Spirit  and  sixty -five  new  members  were  added  to  the  Poultney 
church  and  twenty-six  to  the  East  Poultney.  The  evangelistic  im- 
pulse continued  with  the  churches  for  several  years,  and  additions 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  97 

were  annually  made.  Mr.  Pierce  continued  pastor  six  years,  and 
was  followed  by  A.  W.  Jefferson  in  1879;  Mr.  Dunn  by  D.  Beecher, 
D.  W.  Palmer,  and  Thomas  Tellier.  The  pastors  of  the  Poultney 
church  since  1881  have  been  F.  Barnett,  1881-1884,  H.  H.  Parry, 
1885-1889,  R.  H.  Ferguson,  1891-1892,  J.  E.  Bruce,  1893-1896, 
A.  D.  Clark,  1897-1902,  I.  E.  Usher,  1902 -1907,  C.  E.Ross,  1908. 
The  church  has  prospered  under  these  leaders  and  taken  active  in- 
terest in  the  work  of  the  denomination  and  in  all  branches  of  mis- 
sion work. 

The  East  Poultney  church  has  had  the  leadership  of  pastors 
C.  E.  Stearns,  C.  J.  Wilson,  1883-1884;  J.  B.  Webster,  1887-1890; 
T.  B.  Webster,  T.  B.  Mowrey,  1890-1893;  W.  V.  Grattan,  1893, 
1895;  J.  E.  Bruce,  1897;  A.  D.  Clark,  1899-1901;  I.  E.  Usher,  1902- 
1904;  H.  E.  Webster,  1908.  The  membership  of  the  Poultney 
church  in  1912  was  one  hundred  and  sixty -five,  of  the  East 
Poultney,  fifty -one. 

The  fact  is  worthy  of  record  that  one  of  the  members,  Mrs. 
Ichabod  Marshall,  an  aged  sister  of  this  church,  who  died  in  1837, 
at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety -three  years,  had  lived  to  see  the  whole 
history  of  the  church  up  to  that  time,  and  outlived  all  the  original 
members.  She  was  one  of  the  first  baptized,  was  one  of  the  mem- 
bers when  the  church  was  first  organized  in  1782,  and  again  in  1802, 
when  it  was  set  off  from  Middletown  and  had  been  a  resident  of  the 
town  sixty -two  years,  and  there  were  known  to  be  of  her  posterity, 
then  living,  three  hundred  and  seventy  persons,  extending  to  the 
fifth  generation. 

West  Haven 

William  Pattison,  a  licentiate  from  the  church  in  Benson, 
preached  in  this  town  in  the  course  of  the  year,  1803,  with  manifest 
tokens  of  divine  favor.  Many  were  convicted  of  sin  and  gave  evi- 
dence of  conversion.  In  the  month  of  December  a  church  was  or- 
ganized, consisting  of  sixteen  members.  The  year  following  it 
came  to  number  twenty-seven.  Mr.  Pattison  continued  his  labors 
with  this  people  till  1815,  but  was  never  ordained.  A  pleasing  re- 
vival was  enjoyed  in  1816.  The  church  continued  to  enjoy  a  meas- 


98  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ure  of  prosperity  under  occasional  preaching  by  Elders  Isaac  Saw- 
yer, John  Stearns  and  Isaac  Fuller.  Elder  Reuben  Sawyer  labored 
successfully  with  this  people  from  1823  to  1836.  During  his  minis- 
try there  were  frequent  manifestations  of  divine  favor.  In  1831,  the 
church  came  to  number  sixty-one.  After  1836,  it  was  served  by  a 
number  of  ministers  and  reported  several  seasons  of  aw^akening  and 
conversions.  In  1845,  it  numbered  fifty-one.  Moses  Field  was  then 
pastor.  Mr.  Field's  pastorate  continued  till  1857,  when  his  health 
failed,  and  he  withdrew-  from  the  pastoral  relation.  He  continued 
his  residence  in  the  town  and  his  active  interest  in  the  church,  sup- 
plying occasionally  when  there  w^as  need  and  his  strength  permitted. 
He  returned  to  the  pastorate  in  1865,  and  continued  till  his  death,  in 
1870,  a  man  of  marked  ability  and  fervent  piety;  a  true  shepherd 
to  his  people. 

A  series  of  short  pastorates  followed:  M.  M.  Mills,  N.  Clark, 
A.  T.  Dunn,  E.  D.  Craft,  J.  A.  Swart,  ordained  here  January  24, 
1879;  M.  M.  Mills,  C.  H.  Eveleth,  P.  C.  Dayfoot.  For  a  season, 
after  Mr.  Dayfoot 's  pastorate,  the  church  was  supphed  by  the 
pastors  of  the  Fairhaven  church,  J.  H.  Lyon  and  A.  E.  Foot. 
In  1894,  came  a  precious  work  of  grace  and  thirty-eight  were  bap- 
tized. A.  E.  Foot  then  became  pastor,  1895  to  1898,  when  H.  M. 
Douglass  began  a  long  and  pleasant  pastorate,  continuing  till  1910, 
when  he  was  succeeded  by  E.  S.  Greenleaf.  The  church  attained  a 
membership  of  seventy -seven  in  1892.  A  purely  rural  church,  its 
membership  scattered,  its  young  jieople  removing  from  their  native 
towTi,  the  population  changing  in  character,  this  church  has  main- 
tained the  means  of  grace  and  filled  an  important  place  in  this 
community. 

Rutland 

As  early  as  1805,  there  was  a  Baptist  church  in  Center  Rutland, 
of  thirty -five  members.  They  held  their  meetings  for  the  most  part 
in  the  home  of  Allen  Pooler.  David  Hurlbut  was  their  minister  and 
continued  to  labor  with  them  till  1809.  when  he  resigned,  and  for  a 
time  the  church  was  without  pastoral  care.    They  enjoyed,  how- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  99 

ever,  the  occasional  ministrations  of  Sylvanus  Haynes  of  Middle- 
town,  Clark  Kendrick  of  Poultney,  Elders  McCuller,  Sa-^^vyer, 
Harrington,  and  other  itinerant  ministers.  In  1808,  the  church  re- 
ported to  the  Vermont  Association  thirty -four  members,  and  from 
that  time  the  name  of  the  Rutland  church  disappears  from  the 
minutes  and  early  chroniclers  say  that  in  1813  and  1814,  becoming 
reduced  in  numV)ers  by  deaths  and  removals,  the  meetings  were  dis- 
continued and  their  organization  broken  up,  the  members  uniting 
with  neighlioring  churches. 

In  1818,  several  families  of  Baptists  removed  from  Center  Rut- 
land to  Mill  Village,  now  known  as  the  Pooler  District,  and  im- 
mediatelj^  commenced  holding  meetings  at  the  house  of  Daniel 
Ford.  These  were  mostly  meetings  for  prayer  and  conference,  wdth 
an  occasional  sermon  by  some  itinerant  minister.  For  five  years 
this  little  band  maintained  the  means  of  grace  under  adverse  cir- 
cumstances. In  18'23,  they  organized  as  a  church  of  jBfteen  members. 

May  6,  1824,  Elder  Isaac  Fuller  was  engaged  to  preach  half 
the  time,  and  served  till  December  'i,  1826,  when  the  church  called 
Rev.  Hadley  Proctor  of  China,  Maine,  to  the  pastorate.  His  labors 
continued  until  1834,  years  of  earnest  labor  and  gracious  ingather- 
ing of  souls.  He  was  a  good  man,  and  faithfulh'  led  the  flock  of 
Christ.  In  1834  and  1835,  Rev.  Samuel  Eastman  supplied  the  pul- 
pit, then  Rev.  Hadley  Proctor  returned  to  the  pastorate,  but  after 
one  brief  year  was  recalled  to  China,  Maine,  where  he  remained  till 
his  death. 

After  the  second  removal  of  Elder  Proctor,  Rev.  Daniel  Has- 
kell, a  venerated  father  in  Israel,  served  the  church  during  the  year, 
1837,  after  which  Rev.  Arus  Haynes,  a  graduate  of  Brown  Univer- 
sity, was  called  to  the  pastorate  and  ordained  to  his  work  January 
30,  1858,  and  enjoyed  an  unusually  successful  pastorate  of  two 
years,  ninety  persons  being  added  by  baptism,  and  twenty-seven 
by  letter  and  experience,  being  the  greatest  addition  in  any  like 
period  in  the  history  of  the  church.  He  resigned  in  1840,  and  the 
church  was  without  a  pastor  until  February  2,  1843,  when  Joseph 
M.  Rockwood  was  ordained  and  settled,  continuing  his  ministry 
till  September,  1849,  when  he  was  dismissed.  Rev.  Leland  Howard, 
of  blessed  memory,  was  next  called  to  the  pastorate,  who  was  set- 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

tied  in  1852,  and  resigned  in  1860.  This  pastorate  was  fruitful  of 
much  good,  and  the  ingathering  of  many  precious  souls;  the  year, 
1858,  being  signally  blessed  in  this  respect.  After  his  resignation 
Elder  Howard  continued  to  reside  among  the  people,  to  whom  he 
had  ministered  so  faithfully  and  long,  until  his  death,  which  oc- 
curred on  the  5th  of  May,  1870. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  Francis  Smith  of  Providence,  R.  I., 
May,  1860  to  July  27,  1862.  Pastor  Smith  was  a  good  man  and  a 
faithful  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.  He  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev. 
J.  C.  Fernald  of  Cambridge,  Mass.,  who  was  ordained  pastor  of  the 
church,  March  23,  1864.  He  remained  with  the  church  seventeen 
months,  resigning  September  2,  1865.  Rev.  O.  Cunningham  sup- 
plied the  pulpit  from  November,  1865,  to  August  6,  1868.  Novem- 
ber 1,  1868,  Edward  Mills  commenced  his  labors,  continuing  till 
1875. 

During  this  pastorate  the  present  house  of  worship  was  built. 
In  1827,  a  meeting-house  was  built,  strictly  in  harmony  with  the 
prevailing  New  England  style,  the  pulpit  placed  high  between  the 
entrance  doors,  and  the  gallery  extending  along  both  sides  of  the 
house  and  across  the  east  end.  In  1852,  this  was  remodelled  and 
renovated,  and  made  much  more  convenient  and  attractive.  As 
the  location  of  the  house  was  in  the  center  of  the  village  at  that  time 
it  was  hoped  that  the  foundations  of  it  were  permanently  estab- 
lished, but  in  consequence  of  the  rapid  growth  of  the  village,  north 
and  west  of  this  location,  a  more  central  location  was  desirable,  and 
after  long  and  serious  consideration  it  was  determined  to  build,  and 
on  the  18th  of  July,  1871,  the  cornerstone  was  laid  with  becom- 
ing ceremony.  February  1,  1872,  the  spacious  vestries  of  the  house 
were  opened  with  appropriate  services.  Rev.  Dwight  Spencer  of 
Fairhaven,  preaching  a  sermon  from  Psalm  148: 11. 

The  decade,  1873-1883,  was  an  eventful  one  in  the  history  of 
this  church.  In  1873,  the  assistance  of  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle  was  secured 
in  a  series  of  evangelistic  meetings  in  which  the  church  heartily 
united.  The  results  were  occasion  of  great  rejoicing.  Among  the 
converts  were  strong  men  and  noble  women,  young  men  and  women 
and  children.  Whole  classes  from  the  Sunday  school  and  whole 
families  from  the  homes  gave  themselves  to  Christ  and  the  church. 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  101 

Sixty-six  were  baptized  and  nine  received  by  letter  and  experience. 
The  ingathering  continued  under  the  pastorate  of  Rev.  J.  K.  Rich- 
ardson, which  commenced  in  1875.  Fifteen  were  added  that  year, 
forty-three  the  next,  and  twenty-three  the  next.  Then  came 
another  remarkable  revival.  The  church  entered  into  imion  ser- 
vices under  Evangelists  Whittle,  McGranahan  and  Whittier,  Con- 
stant work  was  kept  up  for  six  months,  and  one  hundred  and  thir- 
teen were  received  into  the  church,  bringing  its  total  membership 
to  three  hundred  and  eighty -nine.  During  the  next  three  years 
there  was  evidence  of  reaction,  and  the  church  suffered  the  de- 
pression that  attends  disciplinary  work,  but  strength  had  been 
gained  to  prune  the  vine  without  endangering  its  life.  In  other 
lines  the  church  had  put  on  strength.  In  September,  1873,  it  dedi- 
cated its  new  house  of  worship  upon  which  some  $40,000  had  been 
expended.  The  field  of  its  activities  had  been  broadened  by  a  mis- 
sion at  North  Clarendon,  and  by  the  organization  of  a  branch  at 
West  Rutland  in  1875.  In  1879,  the  pastor  had  begun  to  publish 
the  Vermont  Baptist  in  the  interests  of  the  churches  of  the  State. 
A  Telugu  preacher  was  receiving  his  support  from  this  church  and 
a  Karen  Bible  woman,  and  a  colored  teacher  in  the  South,  were  de- 
pendent on  the  ladies  of  this  church. 

In  1883,  Charles  A.  Reese  began  ministering  to  this  people, 
and  the  church  continued  to  prosper  under  his  leadership.  In  1885, 
the  debt  of  $13,000  incurred  in  building  the  new  house  of  worship 
was  finally  cancelled.  In  1886,  Evangelists  Pratt  and  Birdsall  con- 
ducted special  meetings  which  resulted  in  the  addition  of  thirty- 
five  members.  In  1887,  the  roll  was  revived,  eleven  dismissed  and 
sixteen  excluded  or  dropped,  bringing  the  total  membership  to 
three  hundred  and  eighty -nine.  In  1890,  the  weekly  envelope  sys- 
tem was  adopted,  and  the  conviction  recorded  that  at  least  one- 
tenth  of  one 's  income  ought  to  be  devoted  to  the  Lord.  In  1891 ,  Rev. 
O.  D.  Thomas,  evangelist,  rendered  effective  service,  and  sixty  were 
added  to  the  membership,  bringing  the  total  number  to  four  hun- 
dred and  forty-six.  Mr.  Reese  resigned  this  year  and  the  pastorate 
of  Rev.  Gibbs  Braislin  began.  Mr.  Braislin  commended  himself 
speedily  to  the  people  of  the  community,  by  his  plain  preaching, 
and  his  fearless  position  on  the  moral  issues  of  the  day,  and  large 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

congregations  attended  his  ministry.  His  work  was  educative  and 
scriptural.  Substantial  additions  were  made  annually  till  1899, 
when  fifty -four  were  received,  and  an  equal  number  the  year  fol- 
lowing, bringing  the  membership  to  five  hundred  and  thirty -three. 
Five  years  later  Dr.  A.  C.  Dixon  came  to  the  assistance  of  the  pas- 
tor and  sixty-eight  were  received  to  membership  that  year,  most 
of  the  converts  coming  from  the  Sunday  school,  which  had  been 
conducted  with  wisdom  and  energ\'  by  J.  E.  Tilson  and  W.  R. 
Kinsman.  During  the  years,  1902-1904,  some  seventy-five  new 
members  had  been  received,  without  special  evangelistic  help. 

A  mission  near  the  fair  grounds  and  the  North  Clarendon  Mis- 
sion had  been  well  sustained.  At  the  close  of  Mr.  Braislin's  pas- 
torate the  church  numbered  five  hundred  and  sixty-nine  members. 
Mr.  Braislin  was  honored  with  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  by 
Brown  University  hi  1905. 

Eugene  Haines  followed  in  the  pastorate,  and  for  four  years  had 
the  privilege  of  welcoming  upward  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  to 
the  church.  He  was  succeeded  by  F.  W.  Irving  in  1910.  The  mem- 
bership of  the  church  in  1912  was  six  hundred  and  twenty-nine. 
The  Rutland  church  in  infancy  received  the  fostering  care  of  the 
State  Convention,  receiving  from  its  limited  treasury  sixty  dollars 
annually  during  the  years  1826-1829.  For  many  years  it  has  been 
a  helper  of  the  weak  churches  of  Vermont,  and  of  the  cause  of 
missions  at  home  and  abroad. 

Bennington 

This  church  had  its  birth  amid  many  difficulties,  in  1827.  A 
number  of  l^rethren,  who  were  members  of  Baptist  churches,  had 
resided  hi  the  north  and  west  parts  of  the  to\\ai  for  some  time. 
They  were  associated  principally  with  the  churches  of  Shaftsbury 
and  Hoosick,  N.  Y.  About  1825,  several  brethren  became  residents 
of  what  is  now  the  ^'illage  of  Bennington,  then  known  as  East  Ben- 
nington or  Algiers.  Among  these  were  Isaiah  Hendrix,  Enoch 
Winslow  and  Aaron  Grover.  In  the  center  village  liA-ed  Anthony 
Haswell,  a  half-brother  of  the  devoted  missionary  to  Burma,  James 
Haswell.    These  brethren,  far  from  church  privileges,  began  to  as- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  103 

semble  for  worship.  After  a  while  neighl)oring  pastors  began  to 
render  help  occasionally.  The  attendance  upon  religious  services 
gaining,  it  was  determined  to  form  a  church.  On  the  11th  of  x\pril, 
a  church  was  constituted  and  recognized  by  public  services.  In 
1828,  Henry  Baldwin  became  the  first  pastor.  He  was  with  the 
church  till  1830.  Under  able  ministers  the  church  increased  in 
membership,  till  in  1842,  it  had  a  membership  of  two  hundred  and 
fifty-seven.  Then  came  the  Advent  excitement.  Miller  was  in- 
vited to  speak  in  the  church,  and  his  influence  wrought  havoc  in  the 
flock.  Surviving  this  critical  period,  the  church  has  continued  a 
prosperous  course.  Its  pastors  and  their  terms  of  service  have  been 
as  follows : 

Henry  F.  Baldwin 1828-1830. 

Thomas  Teasdale 1830-1832. 

Jeremiah  Hall 1832-1835. 

Samuel  B.  Wilhs 1835-1836. 

Stephen  Hutchins 1837-1841. 

W.  W.  Moore 1842-1843. 

Cyrus  W.  Hodges 1844-1849. 

Edward  Conover 1849-1852. 

A.  Judson  Chaplian 1853-1856. 

Warren  Lincoln 1857-1861. 

E.  B.  Palmer 1861.1862. 

W.  S.  Apsey 1862-1869. 

S.  K.  Dexter 1868-1870. 

R.  M.  Luther 1871-1880. 

George  C.  Baldwin,  Jr 1881-1885. 

Z.  Martin .  .1885-1893. 

A.  McGeorge 1894-1895. 

George  B.  Lawson 1895-1901. 

Frank  R.  Morris 1901-1910. 

F.  W.  Meyer 1910 

In  1832,  the  temperance  sentiment  in  the  place  was  at  a  very- 
low  ebb.  There  was  a  large  distillery  in  town,  apples  were  abun- 
dant; the  juice  was  drunk  like  water;  cider  brandy  was  made  and 
indulged  in  by  church  members,  for  the  custom  was  not  held  in 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

disrepute.  Finally,  there  came  a  turn  in  the  tide  of  public  opinion. 
A  stanch  committee  was  formed  in  this  church  and  a  great  tem- 
perance revival  was  the  result. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Lincoln  the  church  passed  reso- 
lutions disapproving  and  discountenancing  the  amusement  of 
dancing,  and  with  christian  love  and  affection  earnestly  recom- 
mending to  its  members  to  refrain  from  it.  The  reasons  assigned 
were  "that  we  regard  the  amusement  of  dancing  as  inconsistent 
A\ith  the  christian  profession,  believing  that  it  has  a  tendency  to 
dissipate  serious  thoughts  and  unfit  us  to  engage  in  the  worship  and 
service  of  God;  that  it  tends  to  neutralize  and  destroy  our  influ- 
ence as  Christians;  that  the  spirit  which  accompanies  the  practice 
is  a  pleasure-loving  and  worldly  spirit,  and  that  it  tends  to  hinder 
our  growth  in  grace  and  thus  endangers  our  spiritual  interests. " 
In  connection  with  these  resolutions  the  church  passed  the  follow- 
ing: "Resolved,  that  our  pulpit  is  free  to  the  pastor  for  the  dis- 
cussion of  all  moral  and  religious  subjects  and  that  it  is  his  right 
and  privilege  to  present  his  views  on  such  subjects  without  re- 
buke or  hindrance  from  any  member  of  the  church. " 

Several  revivals  have  been  enjoyed,  one  of  the  most  notable 
that  of  1839,  under  the  lead  of  Elder  Knapp,  the  evangelist,  when 
eighty  were  received  by  baptism  and  eighteen  by  letter  and  restora- 
tion. In  1842,  and  1843  sixty-seven  were  added  by  baptism  and 
twelve  otherwise.  During  the  years,  1857  and  1858,  ninety-four 
were  received  to  membership,  seventy-seven  of  them  by  baptism. 
During  the  year  of  ISIcGeorge's  pastorate  seventy-seven  were  re- 
ceived by  baptism  and  twelve  by  letter. 

Z.  Clark  Martin 's  pastorate  w  as  one  of  the  longest.  The  par- 
sonage was  built  at  this  time. 

The  first  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1830  and  was  destroyed 
by  fire  in  1845.  A  new  house  of  worship  was  erected  two  years 
later.  Again  in  1878,  a  new  church  edifice  was  built,  which  became 
too  strait  twenty-five  years  later  and  was  enlarged  and  beautified, 
according  to  plans  of  Architect  Bull,  at  a  cost  of  $6,500.00.  The 
addition  provided  for  the  Sunday  school  accommodations  suited 
to  the  needs  of  the  school. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  105 

The  efforts  of  this  church  to  secure  a  bell  with  an  inviting 
voice  furnishes  a  unique  chapter  in  the  history  of  Vermont  Baptist 
churches.  The  first  bell  was  hung  in  the  fall  of  1830.  It  was  a  dis- 
mal sounding  bell,  said  to  have  been  the  poorest  bell  ever  shipped 
into  the  State  of  Vermont.  The  sound  of  it  provoked  the  criticism 
of  all  who  heard  it.  It  was  taken  down  and  carried  back  to  the 
foundry  in  Troy,  and,  in  1832,  July  4th,  the  new  bell  was  hung  to 
ring  on  that  occasion.  This  proved  to  be  a  fine  bell,  the  only  one  in 
the  town.  On  the  third  Sunday  of  the  revival  meetings,  under  Elder 
Knapp,  to  the  surprise  of  all,  the  bell  did  not  ring.  The  tongue  had 
been  stolen  during  the  night.  Three  men,  who  had  been  hanging 
around  the  building  during  the  evening  services,  were  supposed  to 
be  the  thieves.  The  Methodist  minister  denounced  the  robbers. 
Mr.  Knapp  simply  noticed  it  with  the  remark,  "The  way  of  the 
transgressor  is  hard. "  And  he  afterward  said  that  these  men  would 
be  severely  punished.  The  bell  tongue  was  returned  in  two  or  three 
days.  These  three  men  lost  their  lives  in  less  than  a  year.  These 
fatalities  naturally  recalled  to  the  people  the  evangelist's  predic- 
tion. In  1845,  the  meeting-house  burned.  The  heat  was  intense  and 
in  some  unexplained  way  the  bell  began  to  toll,  sending  out  its 
solemn  notes  until  it  fell.  It  seemed  to  be  sounding  its  o\\ti  funeral 
knell.  The  melted  metal  was  taken  from  the  ruins  and  sent  to 
Troy  to  be  recast.  In  the  meantime  the  church  in  Hinsdillville  be- 
came very  much  involved.  Their  bell  was  a  fine  one  and  the  foun- 
dry at  Troy  had  a  claim  on  it.  So  they  exchanged  the  debris  for 
the  Hinsdillville  bell,  paying  five  hundred  dollars  additional.  After 
all  it  did  not  sound  well  when  hung.  The  tongue  was  too  light,  so 
they  increased  the  weight  of  it  and  cracked  the  bell.  This  was  a 
dilemma.  They  sent  it  to  Troy,  but  it  still  lacked  the  silver  to  make 
the  sound  clear.  So  gifts  of  money  in  silver  and  copper  were  made 
with  the  express  request  that  they  should  be  put  in  the  bell  and 
this  is  what  gives  it  its  clear  sornid.  This  bell  has  been  blown  down 
twice  in  severe  storms  of  wind.  The  last  time  it  was  cracked  a  little 
and  this  detracts  some-what  from  its  sweetness,  but  not  seriously. 
The  church  has  long  enjoyed  the  bell  w^ith  an  inviting  voice. 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

PiTTSFORD 

The  Baptist  church  in  Pittsford  was  organized  in  1784,  com- 
posed of  the  following  members :  Elisha  Rich,  Caleb  Hendee,  Abel 
Stevens,  Moses  Olmstead,  Mary  Stevens  and  Esther  Rowley. 
Elder  Elisha  Rich  was  chosen  pastor  and  installed  March  17,  1785, 
and  contmued  in  office  until  1803.  Temporary  supplies  served  till 
1808,  when  Elder  William  Harrington  was  secured  at  a  salary  of 
one  hundred  dollars  for  his  services  the  ensuing  year.  His  pastorate 
continued  until  1817.  After  the  removal  of  Mr.  Harrington  the 
church  organization  w^as  kept  up  for  a  short  time  and  then  dis- 
banded. 

In  1841,  the  church  was  reorganized  with  fourteen  members. 
Samuel  Hendee  w'as  chosen  deacon  and  Nahum  Mills,  clerk.  Rev. 
Charles  Berry  commenced  his  ministry  here  November  7th,  1841, 
and  continued  it  one  year.  Rev.  Levi  Smith  became  pastor  in 
Februarv%  1843,  and  remained  four  years.  Rev.  Washington 
Kingsbury  served  two  years,  1847-1849;  Rev.  H.  B.Wright,  De- 
cember, 1849,  one  year;  V.  Church,  1851-1852;  C.  R.  Nichols,  one 
year;  W.  Kingsbury,  1854-1856;  H.  I.  Wood,  1856-1859;  J.  C.  Car- 
penter, 1856. 

In  1787,  a  meeting-house  was  built  of  logs  and  was  occupied 
till  1795,  when,  by  a  combined  effort  of  the  different  denomina- 
tions, another  house  of  worship  was  built  and  the  Congregational- 
ists  and  Baptists,  the  only  churches  in  town,  occupied  it  alternately. 
Elder  Rich  preached  one  part  of  the  day  and  Elder  Harward  the 
other  part.  In  1802,  the  Baptists  withdrew  and  built  a  meeting 
place  of  their  own,  which  they  continued  to  occupy  till  some  time 
after  the  close  of  Elder  Harrington's  ministry,  when  they  dis- 
banded and  the  house  was  neglected. 

At  the  time  of  the  reorganization  in  1841,  the  meeting-house 
was  remodelled  and  greatly  improved. 

In  later  years  the  pastors  have  been  several  and  the  terms 
short.  Stephen  Wright,  B.  A.  Palatier,  J.  R.  Taylor,  G.  J.  Ganun, 
D.  E.  Post,  L.  B.  Steele,  Thoman  Broxholm,  J.  W.  Barker. 

For  several  years  Sunday  school  and  services  were  held  in 
Whipple  Hollow  and  pastors  of  West  Rutland  rendered  assistance. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  107 

In  1908,  State  Col])orteur,  G.  H.  Watt,  held  special  meetings. 
Church  and  Sunday  school  reorganized,  greatly  to  the  encourage- 
ment of  the  church.  Twenty -three  were  baptized.  The  following 
year  a  schoolhouse  was  purchased  and  fitted  up  for  a  chapel  and 
nine  were  received  by  l)aptism.  Deacon  Thomas  was  specially  in- 
fluential in  carrying  this  enterprise  through  without  incurring  a 
debt.  Under  the  efforts  of  Deacon  Bixby,  of  Poultney,  money  and 
pledges  were  secured  for  seven  nice  horse  sheds.  Deacon  Foster  of 
the  West  Rutland  church  did  much  to  encourage.  In  1912,  the 
church  had  a  total  membership  of  fifty-four,  L.  A.  Cooney,  pastor. 

North   Bennington 

July  23,  1844,  a  church  of  thirty -eight  members  was  formed  at 
North  Bennington,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  from  the  old 
Shaftsbury  meeting-house.  The  First  Church  in  Shaftsbury  had 
recently  dissolved  and  the  new  church  was  composed  largely  of 
its  members,  resident  in  North  Bennington.  Justin  A.  Smith,  at 
the  time  principal  of  Union  Academy,  and  afterward  well-known 
as  editor  of  The  Standard,  Chicago,  was  chosen  first  pastor.  His 
ordination  took  place  in  October,  in  the  old  Shaftsbury  meeting- 
house, where  the  Shaftsbury  Association  was  then  holding  its 
sixty-fifth  anniversary. 

The  next  important  step  was  the  resolution  to  build  a  meeting- 
house, an  eligible  site  having  been  given  by  Deacon  Nathan  Hall. 
This  house  twenty  years  afterward  was  moved  about  one  hundred 
and  twenty  paces  farther  north,  enlarged  and  greatly  improved. 
Hon.  T.  W.  Park  gave  the  new  lot  for  this  purpose,  paid  the  ex- 
pense of  moving,  and  contributed  liberally  to  the  expense  of  im- 
proving the  edifice.  Deacon  S.  B.  Sherwood,  Deacon  Elon  Clark, 
Robinson  &  Parsons,  Thatcher  and  Welling  and  others  contributed 
liberally. 

Mr,  Smith's  pastorate  was  completed  on  August  15,  1849, 
much  to  the  regret  of  his  people.  He  was  followed  by  J.  D.  E. 
Jones,  William  Hancock,  Jay  Huntington,  Jireh  Tucker,  Horace 
Burchard,  Harvey  R.  Travers,  and  Foster  Henry,  all  men  of  talent 


108  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  culture,  graduates  of  colleges  and  theological  institutions.  In 
1878,  when  an  historical  sketch  was  presented  at  the  Association, 
the  church  had  a  membership  of  ninety-eight. 

A.  W.  Cady  was  the  next  pastor,  1881.  Twenty-six  were 
added  that  year.  George  Shepherd  served  in  1885.  A.  S.  Gilbert  had 
a  five  year  pastorate,  1887-1892,  and  R.  M.  Tozer,  one  of  thirteen 
years,  1892-1905.  Under  these  long  and  able  pastorates  the  church 
prospered  and  attained  a  membership  of  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty. 

The  church  continued  to  prosper  under  the  pastorates  of 
A.  S.  Davis,  L.  A.  Cooney,  and  W.  I.  Coburn,  and  numbered 
one  hundred  and  forty-nine  members  in  1912. 

Hydeville 

A  church  was  constituted  in  this  place  in  May,  1850,  consist- 
ing of  twenty-one  members,  and  was  received  the  same  year  into 
the  Vermont  Association.  The  new  church,  by  the  kindness  of 
Messrs.  Hyde,  Fuller  and  Hyde,  were  permitted  to  occupy  a  con- 
venient and  agreeable  place  of  worship  till  the  following  year,  when 
a  meeting-house  was  erected.  The  State  Convention  gave  the 
church  its  aid,  continuing  the  same  for  ten  years,  during  which 
time  it  had  appropriated  for  this  purpose  about  one  thousand  dol- 
lars. Nine  were  baptized  the  second  year  and  two  removed  by 
death,  one  of  these,  the  first  person  baptized  into  the  church.  In 
1854,  C.  H.  Green  was  ordained  and  entered  upon  a  pastorate  of 
seven  years.  A  convenient  parsonage  was  secured,  good  Father 
Churchill  paying  about  one-fourth  the  cost.  Large  congregations 
attended  the  preaching  services  of  Pastor  Green,  and  the  church 
prospered  and  increased  in  numbers  till  in  1860  it  numbered  ninety 
members.  J.  H.  Gile,  J.  Goadby,  J.  K.  Clark,  served  short  terms. 
In  1865,  a  Sunday  school  was  sustained  in  Fairhaven  by  the  mem- 
bers of  this  church,  and  two  years  later,  1867,  the  interest  had  so 
increased  there  that  twenty -four  members  were  dismissed  from  the 
Hydeville  church  to  constitute  a  church  in  Fairhaven,  greatly 
weakening  the  parent  church.  For  a  time  it  was  supplied  from  Fair- 
haven. Though  weakened,  it  maintained  unity  and  a  degree  of  hope. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  109 

In  1872,  it  had  this  record,  that  from  the  beginning  they  had  never 
been  divided  and  no  action  had  ever  been  taken  that  was  not  un- 
animous. At  length,  by  1876,  preaching  was  discontinued,  and  no 
meetings  were  held  for  a  time,  and  in  1878,  in  its  letter  to  the  As- 
sociation, it  expressed  the  expectation  that  soon  it  would  become 
extinct.  But  Rev.  C.  A.  Thomas,  of  Brandon,  befriended  them  with 
a  sermon  the  first  Sunday  in  each  month  for  a  year,  1879,  and  A.  W. 
Jefferson  followed  the  same  course  the  next  year.  A  Sunday  school 
was  organized.  Then  preaching  was  secured.  Rev.  M.  Mills  and 
Rev.  C.  A.  Ferguson  supplying  the  pulpit.  In  1882,  they  are  re- 
ported as  wrestling  with  God  for  the  outpouring  of  his  Spirit.  A 
pastor  was  given  them  the  next  year  in  the  person  of  Rev.  E.  D. 
Phillips,  and  in  1884,  the  answer  to  their  prayers  came  and  thirty- 
one  were  added  to  their  membership.  W.  H.  Walker  became  pastor 
in  1886.  In  1889,  calamity  came.  Their  house  of  worship  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  They  continued  worship  in  the  parsonage,  L.  B. 
Steels  and  O.  Richardson  supplying.  The  following  year  a  new 
meeting-house  was  erected  and  dedicated  free  of  debt.  J.  B.  Web- 
ster was  chosen  pastor  and  served  till  1892.  The  church  roll  was 
revised,  reducing  it  to  thirty-six.  In  1895,  G.  H.  Wrigley  was  se- 
cured as  pastor.  The  next  year  the  church  was  thoroughly  re- 
organized; four  were  received  by  letter  and  twenty -five  by  restora- 
tion or  experience.  The  courage  of  the  church  was  renewed.  A.  J. 
Swart  led  them  from  1898  to  1901;  F.  J.  Franklin,  1902-1904; 
O.  E.  Cox,  1904-1906;  G.  W.  Compton,  1906-1907;  Leonard  Aid- 
rich,  1909.  Thus  the  little  church  survived  its  trials  and  at  last 
reports  had  a  membership  of  sixty -seven. 

Pawlet 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  Pawlet  was  organized  on  the  first 
Monday  in  May,  1790,  on  the  premises  of  Allen  Whedon.  It  was 
organized  under  the  auspices  of  Elder  Brown  of  the  church  in 
Westfield,  N.  Y.  Its  first  members  were:  James  Bennett,  Thomas 
Hall,  Solomon  Brown,  Joseph  Haskall,  John  Crouch,  Samuel  Sisco, 
Caleb  Agard,  Nathaniel  Harmon,  Samuel  Abbott,  Alexander 
Trumbull,  Edmund  Whedon,  Lydia  Wilcox,  Mary  Bennett,  Han- 


110  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

nah  Hanks,  Miriam  Hopkins,  Sibel  Sheldon,  Lydia  Agard,  and 
Elizabeth  Crouch.  For  the  first  ten  years  it  was  destitute  of  a 
meeting-house.  Its  preachers  were:  Elders  Brown,  Skeels,  Green, 
Wait,  Cornell,  Dodge,  Blood  and  Beals,  each  for  brief  periods. 

Its  first  deacons  were:  Joseph  Haskall  and  Jeremiah  Arnold. 
From  its  membership  Solomon  Brown,  Timothy  Brewster,  Daniel 
Hascall  and  Lemon  Andrus  were  licensed  to  preach. 

In  1800,  a  church  edifice  was  built  on  the  premises  of  Seeley 
Brown,  by  the  West  Pawlet  Meeting-House  Company,  which  was 
used  almost  exclusively  by  the  Baptists  for  twenty -four  years.  A 
parsonage  was  built  in  1802,  which  appears  to  have  been  used  for 
the  Bai)tist  minister  exclusively.  The  whole  number  of  members  be- 
longing to  this  church  was  about  two  hundred,  and  it  is  said  to  have 
had  at  one  time  one  hundred  and  fifty  members.  It  was  the  mis- 
fortune, perhaps,  the  fault  of  this  church,  to  be  isolated  from  sister 
churches  during  most  of  its  existence.  Elder  Isaac  Beals  was  called 
to  settle  over  the  church  in  1801,  and  continued  till  its  dissolution 
in  1831. 

The  second  Baptist  church  in  Pawlet  was  formed  in  1826, 
and  admitted  to  the  Vermont  Association.  It  owed  its  origin  to 
the  fact  that  the  first  Baptist  church  in  Pawlet,  from  which  all  of 
its  first  members  came,  was  not,  and  had  not  been  for  many  years, 
in  fellowshi])  with  any  other  body.  Isaac  AVickham,  Seth  Blosson. 
Reuben  Toby,  Washington  Z.  Wait  and  Seth  P.  Stiles  were  among 
its  first  members.  Its  ministers  were:  Elders  L.  P.  Reynolds, 
Wetherell,  Abram  Woodward,  Joseph  Packer,  Daniel  Cobb, 
E.  S.  SouUard,  Sweet,  Meat,  Sanders,  and  Archibald  Wait. 

Its  deacons  were  Isaac  Wickham  and  Reuben  Toby.  About 
the  year  1848  this  organization  was  dissolved. 

West  Pawlet 

In  the  year  1852,  what  is  known  now  as  the  Baptist  church  in 
West  Pawlet  was  organized  under  the  auspices  of  Elder  A.  Wait, 
who  served  them  as  pastor  three  or  four  years.  A  church  edifice 
was  built  the  same  year.  Elder  Wait's  ministry  was  attended  with 
considerable  success.  After  him  Elders  Combe,  Hancock  and  Mos- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  111 

her,  were  employed,  but  not  till  1859  was  this  church  in  fellowship 
with  any  other  body.  In  that  year,  under  the  influence  of  David 
Beecher,  this  church  was  admitted  to  the  Vermont  and  Shaftsbury 
Association.  In  1859,  its  membership  was  twenty-four.  Under  the 
zealous  and  faithful  labors  of  Mr.  Beecher  it  increased  to  one  hun- 
dred and  seventeen.  Its  first  deacons  were  Jeremiah  Clark  and 
B.  H.  Nelson.  In  its  letter  asking  for  admission  to  the  Association 
the  church  expressed  its  conviction  that  "it  is  our  duty  to  bear  a 
decided  testimony  against  Intemperance,  and  Oppression  and 
believe  that  church  members  should  not  unite  with  secret  so- 
cieties; sympathize  with  the  American  Baptist  Free  Mission  So- 
ciety, but  desire  to  exercise,  and  also  ask  the  charity  that  thinketh  no 
evil,  where  conscientious  differences  of  opinion  may  exist  on  this 
subject."  Twenty-four  united  with  this  church  the  following  year 
and  seven  the  next.  In  1867,  for  two  months  beginning  with  the  first 
of  January,  meetings  were  held  nearly  every  night  and  sometimes 
in  the  afternoon.  The  result  of  these  efforts  was  that  the  church 
was  greatly  encouraged  and  strengthened,  and  twenty -eight  put  on 
Christ  by  baptism  a  large  share  of  whom  were  from  the  Sunday 
school.  The  church  was  saddened  in  the  midst  of  this  rejoicing, 
by  the  death  of  the  pastor 's  wife. 

The  more  recent  pastors  have  been  S.  H.  Archibald,  1874,  one 
year;  H.  J.  S.  Lewis,  1877,  one  year;  E.  D.  Mason,  1882,  one  year; 
F.  W.  Gookin,  1883,  one  year;  A.  J.  Swart,  1888-1893,  about  six 
years;  H.  M.  Ives,  1894;  R.  L.  Olds,  1897,  one  year;  Thomas 
Cull,  five  and  one-half  years;  H.  M.  Ives,  1894,  two  years;  Geo. 
Williams,  1910. 

During  E.  D.  Mason's  ministry  special  meetings  were  held 
under  the  lead  of  A.  B.  Earle  and  twelve  were  added.  McGeorge 
and  Brother  Swart  worked  together  in  special  meetings  in  1888  and 
twenty-two  were  added,  thirteen  the  next  year  and  nine  the  next. 
Under  the  loving  and  judicious  leadership  of  Thomas  Cull  the 
church  prospered  and  made  advance  in  temporal  and  spiritual 
lines. 

The  church  at  last  report  numbered  ninety  members. 


112  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Fair  Haven 

The  Baptist  church  was  organized  December  14th,  1867,  with 
thirty-one  members,  most  of  whom  were  from  the  church  in  Hyde- 
ville,  Alonzo  Allen  and  I.  N.  Compton,  deacons.  Meetings  were 
first  held  in  the  chapel  over  Mr.  Adams'  store,  and  afterwards  in 
the  town  hall.  Preaching  was  supplied  for  a  time  by  the  Rev.  L. 
Howard  and  O.  Cunningham  of  Rutland,  and  H.  L.  Grose,  then 
of  Balston,  N.  Y.  Rev.  F.  P.  Jones  became  pastor  in  September, 
1869.  The  cornerstone  of  the  new  church  on  the  south  corner  of  the 
common  was  laid  with  religious  ceremonies  on  the  afternoon  of 
June  2,  1870,  addresses  being  delivered  on  the  occasion  by  Revs. 
E.  Sawyer,  J.  Freeman,  W.  W.  Water,  E.  P.  Hooker,  J.  Goadby, 
and  by  the  pastor,  Dwight  Spencer.  The  basement  was  finished 
and  entered  in  1871  and  the  structure  completed  in  1874,  at  a  cost 
of  $24,000. 

The  church  grew  rapidly  in  membershipand  in  resources.  In 
1873,$1 1,000  were  paid  on  the  church  edifice,  $7000  more  subscribed, 
and  a  bell  purchased  at  a  cost  of  $860.  During  the  four  years, 
$6000  had  been  paid  out  on  current  expenses. 

The  membership  increased  from  the  original  thirty-one  in 
1867,  to  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  in  1879.  From  that  time,  for  a 
season,  the  tide  of  prosperity  receded  somewhat.  Removals  were 
frequent  and  death  harvested  some  of  the  members  who  had  been 
most  influential  in  the  earlier  years.  Mr.  Spencer  resigned  in  1881 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  J.  R.  Gow  who  remained  about  four 
years.  J.  B.  Lee,  Thomas  Neal  and  L.  L.  Hobbs  followed  with  brief 
terms  of  service. 

In  1891,  J.  S.  Lyon  began  an  energetic  pastorate  and  there  was 
a  turn  in  the  tide  of  prosperity.  Thirty-two  were  received  in  1891 
and  twenty-three  in  1893.  Mr.  Lyon  was  succeeded  by  B.  F.  Kel- 
logg, 1894-1895;  C.  A.  Johnson,  1896;  John  Johnson,  1897-1898; 
R.  C.  Penney,  1902-1905;  E.  A.  Foote,  1905-1910. 

Special  attention  has  been  given  by  this  church  from  the  be- 
ginning to  its  Sunday  school  and  Young  People's  organizations. 
Mr.  Spencer  was  a  specialist  in  this  line  of  work;  Mr.  Lyon  was  a 
leader  in  the  promotion  of  Y.  P.  S.  C.  E.  work,  and  a  flourishing  so- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  113 

ciety  added  material  strength  to  the  church.  Under  Mr.  Penney 's 
ministry  this  church  had  the  largest  Junior  C.  E.  society  in  the 
State.  Accessions  to  the  church  have  been  largely  from  the  Sunday 
school.  The  work  of  maintaining  and  renovating  the  house  of  wor- 
ship taxed  the  liberality  of  the  people,  and  they  generously  re- 
sponded. In  1901,  Miss  Phoebe  Wood  gave  a  deed  of  the  parsonage 
property.  Labor  troubles  in  the  town  in  recent  years  caused  serious 
financial  stringency,  and  the  removal  of  many  from  the  place,  crip- 
pling the  churches  and  causing  discouragement.  The  need  of  a 
cheerful,  hopeful  pastor  was  happily  met  in  E.  A.  Foote,  during 
whose  ministry  the  church  reached  a  membership  of  one  hundred 
and  eighty-four.  Mr.  Foote  resigned  in  1910  and  was  followed  by 
another  optimistic  pastor,  Silas  P.  Perry. 

Membership,  one  hundred  and  ten,  in  19l!2. 

West  Rutland 

The  West  Rutland  Church  became  independent  of  Rutland, 
the  parent  vine,  in  1884,  May  28.  The  constituent  members  were 
from  Rutland  and  Ira,  and  others  who  had  long  cherished  and 
worked  for  the  cause  in  this  place.  A  house  of  worship  was  erected 
at  a  cost  of  $2,500,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  seemed  to  bless  the  efforts 
of  the  young  church  in  the  conversion  of  souls.  The  State  Conven- 
tion, by  its  agent  and  its  appropriations,  fostered  the  infant  in- 
terest. In  December,  Rev.  H.  C.  Leverett  commenced  his  work  as 
the  first  pastor,  but  was  quickly  called  to  his  reward  above.  Rev. 
A.  N.  Woodruff,  of  Shutesbury,  Mass.,  was  chosen  to  fill  his  place, 
but  resigned  May  3,  1889,  and  Rev.  W.  H.  Walker,  after  supplying 
three  months,  was  called  and  ordained  pastor.  In  1887,  evangelistic 
effort,  under  Alexander  McGeorge  and  others,  resulted  in  the  in- 
gathering of  thirty -four  new  members.  For  a  season  the  church  was 
pastorless  and  part  of  the  time  closed.  In  1893,  Brethren  Marshall 
and  Horner,  of  Rutland,  led  the  Thursday  evening  prayer  meetings, 
until  a  pastor  was  secured  in  the  person  of  Rev.  W.  Weyeth,  who 
served  two  years.  The  church  then  united  with  the  Ira  church  in 
support   of  Pastor  Geo.  H.  Watt,  and  in  1899,  seventeen  were 


114  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERAIONT 

brought  into  the  church.    Pastors  F.  C.  Wright,  H.  S.  Vinal,  and 
C.  H.  Shaw  served  short  terms. 

In  1806,  Rev.  Frank  S.  Tolman,  a  careful  planner  and  energetic 
worker,  took  up  the  work  and  the  church  grew  in  strength  and  num- 
bers. In  1910,  Rev.  A.  B.  O'Neal,  whose  spirituality  and  ability 
awakened  bright  hopes,  died  after  a  brief  stay.  L.  A.  Cooney 
succeeded  him.  The  church,  still  fostered  by  the  Convention, 
numbered  thirty-six  in  1912,  having  lost  many  by  removals  and 
other  causes. 

Clarendon 

Within  the  years  1784,  1785,  1786,  churches  were  organized 
in  Pittsford  and  East  and  West  Clarendon.  The  chief  agency  in  this 
work  was  Elisha  Rich.  Though  the  Wallingford  people  did  not 
find  in  him  the  "Pastoral  Gift,"  he  was  eminently  successful  in 
other  places.  He  was  one  of  the  interesting  men  of  his  period,  not 
thoroughly  educated,  but  richly  endowed  with  gifts  and  with  evan- 
gelistic zeal.  He  was  born  in  Sutton,  Mass.,  in  1737.  He  came  into 
Vermont  from  Chelmsford,  Mass.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  gun- 
smith, to  which  he  added  the  accomplishment  of  successful  farmer 
and  beekeeper,  as  well  as  of  evangelist  and  pastor.  He  came  to 
Cavendish,  then  moved  to  Saltash,  now  Plymouth,  bought  a  piece 
of  ground  and  tarried  there  till  the  spring  or  summer  of  1778,  then 
moved  to  Clarendon  and  purchased  a  good  farm  on  Otter  Creek. 
Many  of  the  early  settlers  of  Clarendon  were  Baptists  from  Rhode 
Island.  Under  Mr.  Rich's  preaching,  during  the  five  years  he  lived 
there,  a  great  revival  occurred  which  resulted  in  the  organization 
of  the  two  churches,  the  West  in  1785,  and  the  East  in  1786.  Elder 
Rich  experienced  no  little  rough  opposition  in  Clarendon.  Persons 
in  disguise  would  surromid  his  house  and  cruelly  beat  his  cattle, 
that  they  might  have  opportunity  to  abuse  him  also.  The  pulpit 
in  the  log  meeting-house  was  torn  down  and  set  up  again  so  slightly 
as  to  tumble  dovm  whenever  Mr.  Rich  should  attempt  to  ascend  it. 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  115 

East  Clarendon 

As  previously  stated,  this  church  was  organized  probably  in 
1786.  Elder  William  Harrington  became  their  pastor  in  1798.  The 
church  then  consisted  of  seventeen  members.  His  labors  were  blest, 
and  in  1805,  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  members  were  reported 
at  the  Association.  Fifty-six  had  joined  the  church  the  previous 
year.  The  church  then  passed  through  some  trials.  Elder  Harring- 
ton was  dismissed  in  1808,  and  William  McCullar  served  from  that 
time  till  1814,  che  church  in  the  meantime  enjoying  an  interesting 
revival.  From  this  time  it  seems  not  to  have  had  a  settled  pastor, 
though  they  enjoyed  a  measure  of  prosperity,  as  two  revi\'als  are 
reported,  one  in  1817  and  the  other  in  18'25.  In  the  former  there 
were  added  forty  members,  and  in  the  latter,  about  thirty.  The 
church  maintained  "travel"  from  1798  to  1827,  when  its  existence 
as  a  church  practically  ceased. 

West  Clarendon 

There  was  occasional  preaching  in  West  Clarendon  also  by 
Elders  Eastman,  Cornell,  Skeels  and  others.  In  1789,  Elder  Isaac 
Beals  was  settled  as  pastor,  whose  labors  resulted  in  the  ingathering 
of  large  congregations  and  the  melting  down  of  opposition,  and  in 
securing  occasional  conversions.  At  length  it  pleased  God  to  pour 
out  his  Spirit  and  convert  a  large  number.  A  meeting-house  was 
erected  in  1798,  and  things  wore  the  aspect  of  prosperity,  but  as  in 
many  cases,  it  was  the  forerunner  of  heavy  trials.  The  church  be- 
came divided,  the  society  disbanded,  and  in  less  than  four  years 
from  this  time  this  church  was  prostrate  and  in  ruins.  From  1802 
to  1808  was  a  dark  time  in  West  Clarendon.  Little  attention  was 
paid  to  the  public  worship  of  God.  In  1808,  the  neighboring  town 
of  Ira  was  visited  by  an  extensive  revival  and  its  influence  extended 
into  Clarendon.  Large  numbers  professed  conversion  and  united 
with  the  churches  in  Ira  and  East  Clarendon.  At  length,  in  1812,the 
Clarendon  members  of  the  Ira  church  united  together  and  con- 
stituted a  new  church  at  West  Clarendon,  consisting  of  eighty -nine 
members.    Its  first  pastor  was  Elder  Daniel  Tinkham.    Under  his 


116  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

labors  the  church  seemed  to  prosper  for  several  years.  He  was  dis- 
missed in  1817.  Nathaniel  Culver,  after  being  ordained,  next  be- 
came their  pastor.  He  wks  with  them  about  four  years.  Then 
Elder  John  Peck  preached  to  them  more  or  less  for  several  years. 
The  struggle  in  reference  to  Free  Masonry  occurred  in  the  mean- 
time, which  very  much  reduced  and  disheartened  them.  From  this 
discouragement  they  did  not  rally,  and  before  1845  were  extinct  as 
a  church. 

Danby 

About  the  year  1780,  Hezekiah  Eastman,  then  a  licentiate, 
came  to  this  place  and  preached  and  gathered  a  church.  He  was 
soon  after  ordained,  and  being  the  first  ordained  minister  in  town, 
he  took  possession  of  the  rights  reserved  by  charter  for  the  first 
settled  minister.  This  church  was  one  of  the  constituent  members 
of  the  Vermont  Association.  In  1789,  it  reported  one  hundred  and 
nine  members.  Mr.  Eastman  did  not  remain  long  after  his  ordina- 
tion, and  sold  out  his  ministerial  right,  and  so  involved  himself  in 
circumstances  not  the  most  favorable  to  himself,  and  not  most 
favorable  to  the  cause.  After  this  there  was  some  more  preaching  in 
town,  but  the  church  soon  became  extinct. 

Hezekiah  Eastman  is  described  as  a  person  of  great  natural 
ability.  His  education  did  not  extend  beyond  the  rudiments  of  a 
common  English  education,  but  he  was  a  close  student  of  the  Bible, 
and  a  careful  observer  of  men  and  things,  and  having  thorough 
physical  training  he  was  prepared  to  endure  great  hardships.  He 
met  appointments  in  other  towns  and  was  obliged  to  travel  many 
miles,  sometimes  on  horseback  and  often  on  foot,  over  bad  roads 
and  through  wilderness  to  meet  appointments.  His  meetings  were 
held  in  log  houses  and  were  generally  large. 

It  is  related  that  while  he  was  preaching  at  a  certain  place,  one 
Deacon  Mott  came  in  at  the  front  door  very  late,  causing  a  dis- 
turbance to  the  hearers,  and  Mr.  Eastman  himself  was  somewhat 
disturbed,  and  remarked  that  those  coming  in  at  the  eleventh  hour 
should  enter  the  back  door,  which  would  cause  less  disturbance. 
Deacon  Mott  replied,  "that  the  Bible  taught  that  those  that  came 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  117 

in  at  the  eleventh  hour  are  just  as  good  as  those  who  came  in  at 
the  first  hour,  and  that  he  had  come  in  the  strait  and  narrow  way, 
and  who  so  entereth  in  any  other  way  is  a  thief  and  a  robber. " 

In  1833,  Elder  Packer  visited  Danby  and  made  some  effort  to 
awaken  an  interest.  The  effort  seemed  to  be  blessed,  a  number  pro- 
fessed conversion  and  were  baptized,  and  soon  after  a  church  of 
twenty-one  members  was  constituted.  They  enjoyed  occasional 
preaching  from  different  ministers  for  a  time,  and  afterward  en- 
joyed the  services  of  licentiates,  and  in  1839,  the  church  reported 
forty-four  members.  It  soon  met  with  discouragements.  Some  of 
its  members  moved  away  and  it  ceased  to  report  to  the  Association 
and  became  extinct. 

Arlington 

The  Baptist  church  in  Arlington,  after  due  examination  of 
her  Articles  of  Faith,  and  Covenant,  was  constituted  August  27, 
1812,  and  received  into  the  fellowship  of  the  Baptist  churches  by 
the  Ecclesiastical  Council,  then  and  there  convened,  from  the  fol- 
lowing churches :  First  Baptist  church  in  Shaftsbury,  Elder  Isaiah 
Mattison,  Deacon  Nathaniel  Hall;  East  Shaftsbury,  Cyprian 
Downer,  a  licentiate,  Deacon  Daniel  Smith;  Fourth  Shaftsbury, 
Deacon  Ebenezer  Clark,  Jacob  Galusha,  Charles  Dyer,  Oliver 
Whipple,  Russell  Loomis;  Manchester,  Elder  C.  Chamberlain,  Jacob 
Thomas,  Samuel  Pettibone,  Salem,  N.  Y.,  Samuel  M.  Plumb, 
licentiate.  Deacon  Stephen  Estee,  James  Lake,  James  Hastings, 
Cambridge,  N.  Y.,  Benjamin  Smith,  Leonard  Center. 

The  church  then  consisted  of  fifty  members  residing  in  the 
towns  of  Arlington,  Sunderland  and  Sandgate,  who  were  previously 
members  of  Baptist  churches  and  thus  became  a  distinct  church. 
Their  names,  Hull  Curtis,  James  McKee,  Currine  McKee,  Moses 
McKee,  Aruba  McKee,  Jonas  Galusha,  Electa  Galusha,  Sarah 
Washbom,  Lydia  Bartlett,  Amos  Woolman,  Mary  Hinsdale, 
Abner  Evarts,  Isaac  Whitehead,  Hepsibah  Pollard,  Sally  Pollard, 
Benajah  Cook,  Caleb  Andrews,  Ruonril  Andrews,  Sarah  Canfield, 
Elisha  King,  Philip  Marble,  Jr.,  Sally  Marble,  K.  Griffin,  Reuben 
Beebe,  Elizabeth  Beebe,  Moses  B.  Sherwin,  Lucy  Sherwin,  John 


118  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Baron,  Sally  Baron,  Rhoda  Temple,  Lydia  Perkins,  Amos  Baron, 
Mary  Baron,  Eunice  Baron,  Anna  Annin,  David  Allen,  Polly  Allen, 
Lillis  Wheat,  Laura  Aylsworth,  Clarissa  Aylsworth,  Nathan  Skin- 
ner, Jeptha  Beebe,  Sarah  Beebe,  Rufus  Spencer,  Hulda  Spencer, 
Mary  Ward,  David  Mattison,  Jr.,  Rhoda  Curtis,  Persis  Folsom, 
Abigal  Baker,  Hannah  Curtis,  Elizabeth  Elsworth. 

On  the  same  day  after  the  coimcil  adjourned,  the  church  ap- 
pointed Moses  McKee,  moderator,  and  Elias  King,  clerk,  and  then 
adjourned  to  the  10th  of  September,  at  the  house  of  Jeptha  Beebe. 
September  10,  met  agreeable  to  adjournment  and  elected  dea- 
cons, Hull  Curtis  and  Moses  McKee;  Elisha  King  was  chosen  clerk. 

The  preceding  is  taken  from  the  church  records,  and  from  them 
we  learn  that  at  different  times  there  were  added  to  the  church,  in 
about  twenty  years,  over  a  hundred  and  twenty  more  members. 
During  that  period,  and  perhaps  a  few  more,  the  ordinances  of  the 
Gospel  were  enjoyed  and  much  of  the  time  the  services  of  a  Gospel 
preacher.  Some  severe  trials  were  passed  through — many  of  the 
most  efficient  members  removed  to  other  parts  and  several  died. 
Most  of  the  time  they  enjoyed  a  good  degree  of  harmony,  but  roots 
of  bitterness  did  spring  up.  The  efficient  mem]:»ers  were  few  and 
constantly  diminishing;  opposition  from  without  was  powerful,  in 
wealth  and  influence;  the  love  of  many  waxed  cold.  The  church 
ceased  to  report  to  the  Association  after  1836.  In  its  last  report 
it  expressed  fears  that  its  candle  would  be  removed,  and  that  fear 
was  soon  after  realized. 


Chapter  VIII 
ADDISON  COUNTY  ASSOCIATION 

On  the  13th  of  November,  1833,  a  Con\ention  was  held  in 
Whiting  (as  tradition  has  it,  for  the  minutes  of  that  body  do  not 
give  the  place  of  meeting),  for  the  purpose  of  organizing  a  new 
Association  in  Addison  County.  Nine  churches  were  represented 
by  their  delegates.  Elders  Henry  Green,  Isaac  Sawyer,  Anthony 
Case,  Aaron  Angier  and  Jehial  Wright  were  invited  to  a  seat  with 
them. 

The  Convention  resolved  that  it  was  expedient  to  form  such 
an  Association,  appointed  a  committee  to  draft  a  constitution  and 
rules  of  decorum,  and  appointed  H.  H.  Half  to  preach  the  in- 
troductory sermon,  and  B.  Carpenter  to  write  the  circular  letter. 

Agreeably  to  appointment,  delegates  from  the  churches  repre- 
sented in  the  Convention,  and  also  from  Cornwall  and  Charlotte 
churches,  not  there  represented,  met  at  the  Baptist  meeting-house 
in  Panton,  and  organized  the  Association  by  choice  of  Rev.  B. 
Carpenter,  moderator,  and  Rev.  S.  Fletcher,  clerk.  The  churches 
thus  associated  were:  Whiting,  with  one  hundred  members.  Rev. 
W^.  Moore,  pastor;  Middlebury,  sixty-three  members,  Rev.  H.  H, 
Haff,  pastor;  Bristol,  eighty-tw^o  members.  Rev.  Henry  Green, 
pastor;  Ferrisburg,  seventeen  members.  Rev.  John  A.  Dodge, 
pastor;  Monkton,  forty-nine  members;  Bridport,  one  hundred 
and  thirty-eight  members.  Rev.  S.  Fletcher,  pastor;  Addison,  one 
hundred  and  thirty-six  members.  Rev.  B.  Carpenter,  pastor;  Pan- 
ton,  eighty-six  members.  Rev.  J.  Tenbroek,  licentiate;  Weybridge, 
fifty-seven  members.  Rev.  J.  Wright,  pastor;  Cornwall,  eighty- 
three  members,  Rev.  A.  Case,  pastor;  Charlotte,  thirty -five  mem- 
bers.    Total  membership,  seven  hundred  and  forty-one. 

All  the  churches  cbnstituting  the  Addison  Association  had 
been  connected  with  the  Vermont  Association,  and  their  with- 


120  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

drawal  to  form  an  Association  by  themselves  appears  to  have  been 
the  result  of  the  Anti-Masonic  controversy.  Several  efforts  had 
been  made  by  the  churches  holding  the  most  radical  disciplinary 
sentiments  on  this  subject,  to  have  the  Vermont  Association  de- 
clare itself  in  favor  of  excluding  members  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity 
from  the  churches.  The  Association  declined  to  pass  the  desired 
resolution,  considering  it  better  to  leave  the  settlement  of  that 
vexed  question  wath  the  individual  churches.  This  unsatisfactory 
action  unquestionably  had  much  to  do  with  the  call  of  the  Con^•en- 
tion  which  decided  to  organize  a  new  association. 

The  first  resolution  passed  in  the  new^  organization  put  it 
on  the  desired  platform.  '' Resolved,  that  this  Association  recom- 
mend to  the  churches  composing  it  to  deal  with  such  as  practice 
speculative  Freemasonry^  (if  any  there  be)  as  they  would  with 
those  that  practice  other  moral  evils. "  The  history  of  the  Associa- 
tion, and  of  the  individual  churches,  indicate  that  a  ruling  common 
purpose  of  the  body  was  active  opposition  to  existing  moral  evils, 
of  which  Freemasonry'  was  considered  one,  by  public  discussions 
in  their  annual  sessions,  and  by  vigorous  disciplinary  measures  in 
the  several  churches.  At  the  first  session,  R.  B.  James,  agent  of  the 
Moral  Reform  Society,  New  York,  and  O.  S.  Murray,  agent  of  the 
Vermont  Anti-Slavery  Society,  were  present  and  participated  in 
the  exercises. 

Their  second  resolution,  after  several  addresses  on  the  subject, 
was,  "Resolved,  that,  in  the  opinion  of  this  Association,  the  prin- 
ciples of  the  American  Seventh  Commandment  and  Female  Moral 
Reform  Societies,  do  fully  accord  with  the  Scriptures,  and  their 
measures  are  well  calculated  to  prevent  licentiousness,  and  that 
we  consider  the  publication  of  McDowall's  Journal  peculiarly 
adapted  to  promote  the  objects  of  these  societies;  and  for  this  pur- 
pose recommend  it  to  the  patronage  of  our  churches  and  the  public 
generally."  From  the  beginning,  for  many  years,  slavery,  licen- 
tiousness, intemperance,  war  and  kindred  topics,  received  a  large 
share  of  attention  in  the  annual  sessions  and  the  resolutions  passed 
are  in  language  plainer  and  stronger  than  most  of  such  declarations 
in  the  other  associations. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  121 

A  peace  resolution  passed  at  the  session  in  1837,  is  worthy  of 
record,  being  advanced  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  ardent  advocate 
of  peace  measures.  ''Resolved,  that  the  precepts  and  example  of 
our  Saviour  teach  peace  on  earth  and  good  will  to  men;  that 
he  laid  down  his  life  in  obedience  to  the  principle  of  non-resistance — 
of  rendering  good  for  evil,  leaving  vengeance  to  the  Lord;  that 
his  precepts  are  to  be  obeyed  and  his  example  to  be  imitated,  by  all 
his  followers.  Resolved,  therefore,  that  all  war  and  fighting  is 
sinful,  and  consequently  to  be  immediately  abandoned,  forever 
abstained  from,  and  always  reproved  by  every  follower  of  Christ; 
Resolved,  that  to  be  in  preparation  for  war  is  not  the  way  to  pre- 
vent war,  but,  on  the  contrary,  directly  calculated  to  induce  it. 
therefore,  it  is  the  duty  of  all  christians  to  discountenance  and 
testify  against  all  military  trainings, — the  keeping  of  standing 
armies, — the  building  of  fortifications, — the  establishment  and 
maintenance  of  institutions  of  learning  for  teaching  the  art  of  war — 
and  all  means  and  measures  by  which  the  unchristian,  irrational 
practice  is  perpetuated." 

From  the  beginning  the  Association  made  special  effort  to 
incite  the  churches  to  active  interest  in  all  the  benevolent  and  mis- 
sionary enterprises  of  the  time.  The  churches  were  urged  to  form 
themselves  into  charitable  societies,  and  to  take  immediate  meas- 
ures to  raise  a  definite  sum  per  member  for  benevolent  purposes. 
They  were  advised  to  observe  the  evening  of  the  first  Monday  in 
each  month  as  the  Missionary  Concert  of  Prayer,  and  every  Satur- 
day evening  as  a  Concert  of  Special  Prayer,  for  a  revival  of  religion 
in  the  churches  of  the  Association. 

Prompt  efiforts  were  made  to  secure  a  fund  for  the  benefit  of 
widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  Baptist  ministers.  At  the  meet- 
ing in  1836,  a  fund  of  $850  was  raised  fort  his  purpose,  and  annually, 
contributions  were  made  and  dispensed  under  the  management  of 
trustees.  The  Bible  cause  and  Ministerial  Education  and  other 
branches  of  work  were  not  neglected  in  the  discussions  and  plans 
of  this  body. 

The  opening  years  of  the  Association  were  full  of  promise.  In 
1835,  the  churches  of  Orwell,  Cornwall  and  Addison  received  an 
unusually  large  number  by  baptism.    The  year  following  was  still 


122  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

more  encouraging.  Addison  received  forty-three  by  baptism  and 
three  by  letter;  Bristol,  eighty-three  by  baptism,  and  nine  by  letter; 
Charlotte  received  thirty-six  new  members,  more  than  doubling 
its  former  membership;  Whiting  received  thirty-one  new  members, 
and  the  total  number  of  baptisms  in  the  Association  that  year  was 
two  hundred  and  twenty-seven,  the  largest  accession  in  its  history. 

The  Panton  church  was  revived  in  1839  and  received  seventy - 
two  converts. 

From  1836  there  begins  the  history  of  a  steady  and  sorrowful 
decline.  The  Association,  which  in  1836,  numbered  one  thousand, 
one  hundred  and  ninety -five,  was  in  1865,  reduced  to  three  hundred 
and  forty -five,  or  less  than  one-third  the  number  which  it  had  once 
attained.  The  annual  reports  from  the  churches  were  extremely 
depressing.  Now  and  then  there  were  hopeful  indications,  but  for 
the  most  part  indications  of  weakness,  trouble  and  decline. 

The  causes  of  decadence  were  many.  One  unavoidable  cause 
was  the  emigration  of  the  younger  and  vigorous  members  to  the 
west  or  to  the  cities.  The  proportion  of  losses  to  be  credited  to  this 
cause  have  no  doubt,  however,  been  sometimes  overestimated. 
Other  more  destructive  causes  were  at  work. 

The  extreme  Anti-Masonic  sentiments  which  prevailed  in 
these  churches  gave  them  frequent  trouble.  Sympathy  with  Free- 
masonry was  as  hateful  to  them  as  heresy,  and  the  discovery  of  it 
in  a  member,  and  especially  in  a  minister,  was  like  a  spark  in 
powder. 

In  July,  1830,  the  church  in  Bristol,  after  declaring  Masonry 
incompatible  with  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  had  resolved  that 
"we  cannot  receive  nor  fellowship  any  person  in  this  church  that 
has  anything  to  do  with  Speculative  Freemasonry,  directly  or  in- 
directly, in  supporting  or  upholding  the  same."  Parties  were 
formed  in  a  way  that  made  neutrality  untenable.  Good  members 
were  highly  excited  about  the  possible  connivance  of  the  pastor 
with  that  system.  The  grievance  wdth  the  church  was  "for  keeping 
Elder  Hendee  to  preach  on  account  of  Masonry. "  Elder  H.  stated 
to  the  council  that  he  was  once  a  Mason,  but  now  avoided  all  as- 
sociation with  that  obnoxious  fraternity.  Yet  he  could  not  unite 
in  the  exposure  and  indiscriminate  denunciation  against  them,  but 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS   IN  VERMONT  1'23 

had  attempted  to  maintain  a  strict  neutrality.  The  council  finally 
"Resolved,  that  the  minority  has  had  cause  of  grief  with  the 
church  that  they  had  not  required  of  Elder  H.  a  full  and  frank 
expression  of  his  disapprol)ation  of  Freemasonry,  as  he  ought  to 
have  made.  Resolved,  that  the  minority  ought  to  be  satisfied  with 
the  expression  Elder  H.  has  this  day  made. "  Elder  Hendee  closed 
his  labors  October  1, 1831. 

From  the  earliest  days  of  Vermont  Baptist  History,  Free- 
masonry was  regarded  with  undisguised  suspicion  by  many  in  che 
churches.  It  was  questioned  whether  a  christian  ought  to  become 
a  Mason,  and  whether  churches  should  fellowship  any  person  who 
was  a  member  of  that  secret  order.  But  about  1827,  excitement  on 
that  subject  became  acute.  A  man  named  Morgan,  a  printer,  had 
published  for  gain,  a  book  in  which  the  harmless  secrets  of  the  order 
of  Freemasons,  of  which  he  was  a  member,  were  divulged.  Public 
curiosity  caused  this  book  to  have  an  immense  sale.  Soon  after 
its  publication,  Morgan  announced  another  volume  which  was  to  re- 
veal unimagined  horrors;  but  before  the  book  appeared  Morgan 
disappeared,  and  neither  ever  came  to  light.  Now  arose  the  ques- 
tion, "What  became  of  Morgan?"  and  it  rent  the  nation  for  a  time 
into  two  embittered  and  angry  factions.  "  Morgan, "  said  the  Free- 
mason, "died  and  was  buried  in  the  natural  and  ordinary  fashion. " 
"Morgan,"  said  the  Anti-Masons,  "^hat  martyred  patriot,  was 
dragged  from  his  home  by  Masonic  ruffians,  taken  in  the  dead  of 
night  to  the  shores  of  Niagara  river,  murdered,  and  thrown  into 
the  rapids."  It  is  impossible  for  anyone  to  conceive  the  utter 
delirium  into  which  the  people  in  some  parts  of  the  country  were 
thrown  by  the  agitation  of  this  subject.  Books  were  written ;  papers 
were  established.  Exhibitions  were  gotten  up  in  which  Masonic 
ceremonies  were  caricatured.  Families  were  divided.  Fathers 
disinherited  their  sons,  and  sons  forsook  their  fathers.  Elections 
were  influenced,  not  in  towns  and  counties  merely,  but  state  and 
national. 

There  were  Masonic  candidates  and  Anti-Masonic  candidates 
in  every  election  in  the  northern  states  for  at  least  two  years  after 
Morgan  vanished.  It  was  seriously  believed  among  the  Anti- 
Masons  that  the  Masons  were  bound  to  protect  one  another  in 


124  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

doing  injustice;  even  the  commission  of  murder  and  treason  did 
not,  it  was  said,  exclude  a  man  from  the  shelter  of  his  lodge.  It  was 
alleged  that  a  Masonic  jury  did  not  dare,  or  would  not,  condemn 
a  prisoner,  who  after  the  fullest  proof  of  his  guilt  had  been  obtained, 
made  the  Masonic  sign  of  distress.  It  was  said  that  a  judge  re- 
garded the  oath  which  made  him  a  Freemason  as  more  sacred  and 
more  binding  than  that  which  admitted  him  to  the  bench.  "It  is  in 
vain, "  said  the  Anti-Masons,  "for  one  of  us  to  seek  justice  against 
a  Mason,  for  a  jury  cannot  be  obtained  without  its  share  of  Masonic 
members,  and  a  court  cannot  be  found  without  its  Masonic  judge. " 
This  is  a  secular  account  of  Freemasonry  excitement,  taken  from 
James  Parson's  "Life  of  Horace  Greeley."  Naturally  this  excite- 
ment affected  the  churches.  It  divided  the  Vermont  Association 
and  was  the  cause  of  the  withdrawal  from  it  of  the  churches  that 
immediately  formed  the  Addison  Association.  In  this  Association 
the  hostility  to  Masonry  was  particularly  fatal  to  the  peace  of  the 
churches,  and  among  the  causes  of  the  decline  and  extinction  of 
some  of  them. 

The  Advent  excitement  in  this  Association  was  violent  and 
more  destructive  here  than  in  any  other  part  of  the  State.  William 
Miller  was  a  member  of  the  Orwell  church  and  licensed  by  it  to 
preach.  He  was  permitted  to  lecture  freely  among  the  churches  of 
the  Association,  and  a  large  number  of  members  embraced  his 
doctrines.  But,  not  content  with  differing  with  their  brethren,  they 
became  schismatics,  denouncing  all  who  did  not  embrace  the  same 
views.  They  stigmatized  the  churches  as  "  Babalon, "  "the  mother 
of  harlots,"  and  the  " abomination  of  the  earth. "  "The  wise "  were 
called  to  come  out  of  them  and  touch  not  the  unclean  thing.  They 
forsook  the  churches  and  its  ordinances  and  defamed  both  alike. 
They  desired  to  be  separated  from  the  churches  and  would  not 
walk  with  them,  and  accordingly  after  a  time  were  expelled.  The 
churches  sometimes  failed  in  forbearance,  but  in  the  main  their 
exclusion  was  a  necessity. 

Another  breeder  of  discord  and  destruction  was  Orison  S. 
Murray,  who  was  a  member  of  the  Orwell  church  until  expelled. 
He  had  been  licensed  in  1837  by  this  church  to  preach.  He  was  the 
anti-slavery  leader  of  the  Association.    But  mingling  with  his  anti- 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  125 

slavery  views  other  dogmas  opposed  alike  to  the  word  of  God  and 
the  peace  of  the  churches,  he  drifted  farther  and  farther  from  the 
simplicity  of  the  Gospel  until  he  made  land  at  last  in  open  infidelity. 
He  drew  some  disciples  after  him,  and  this  Association  furnished 
some  who  embraced  his  j^ernicious  heresies.  On  this  account  ex- 
pulsions were  necessary. 

There  were  still  other  causes  for  decline.  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald, 
in  his  semi-centennial  address  before  this  Association  in  1883,  spoke 
with  utmost  frankness  upon  these  causes,  and  since  his  address  was 
adopted  and  printed  in  the  minutes,  his  judgment  appears  to  have 
been  endorsed  by  the  Association  as  historically  correct.  He  says, 
"An  influence  far  more  fundamental  and  far  reaching  was  at  work, 
and  that  was  the  worldliness  of  the  members  generally.  This  spirit 
manifested  itself  in  many  directions.  One  of  these  was  an  utter 
failure  to  provide  an  adequate  support  for  the  ministry.  The  As- 
sociation has  had  not  a  few  able  men  in  the  pastorate  of  the  different 
churches,  but  they  were  so  inadequately  supported  that  they  were 
either  compelled  to  resort  to  secular  labors  for  a  livelihood,  or  to 
leave  the  Association  for  other  fields,  where  those  who  waited  upon 
their  ministry  were  willing  also  to  communicate  to  them  in  temporal 
things.  The  names  of  M.  D.  Miller,  J.  Tenbroek,  W.  G.  Johnson, 
J.  Wescott,  Benjamin  Brierly,  Ahira  Jones,  I.  Keach,  A.  Angier, 
and  others  that  might  be  mentioned,  show  clearly  that  there  might 
have  been  no  dearth  of  ministerial  service.  But  they  were  often 
hampered  by  their  pecuniary  necessities  and  took  their  departure, 
literally  starved  out,  to  bless  other  communities  with  their  work 
of  faith  and  labor  of  love. 

"Such  men  as  E.  H.  Gray,D.D.,  E.  B.  Smith,  D.  D.,  M.  M. 
Dean,  were  the  spiritual  children  of  these  churches,  but  they  could 
have  no  hope  of  sufficient  support  if  they  tarried  where  they  first 
received  spiritual  life,  and  they  left  the  people  who  would  never 
fully  appreciate  their  work,  and  afford  them  such  means  of  living 
as  would  enable  them  to  give  themselves  to  prayer  and  the  ministry 
of  the  word." 

Historical  sketches  of  the  churches  were  read  before  the 
Association,  from  year  to  year,  beginning  in  1852,  in  the  following 
order,  Bridport,  Orwell,   Bristol,   Monkton, "  Charlotte,    Panton, 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN    VERMONT 

Whiting,  Addison,  Waltham,  Middlebury,  Ferrisburgh,  Cornwall 
and  Shoreham. 

These  were  printed  in  the  minutes  of  the  Association  and  are 
interesting  and  valuable  sources  of  information  concerning  the 
early  life  of  these  churches.  They  were  written  with  remarkable 
plainness  and  abundantly  confirm  what  has  been  said  concerning 
the  causes  for  the  declension  of  the  Association  in  membership 
and  strength.  The  judicial  function  of  the  church  was  conscien- 
tiously exercised,  but  not  always  with  discretion,  and  was  some- 
times overtaxed  by  a  trivial  fault-finding  disposition.  Several 
elements  of  weakness  will  appear  in  a  single  incident,  quaintly  told 
in  the  history  of  the  Middlebury  church.  "  While  Elder  Nathaniel 
Kendrick  labored  Avith  the  church  his  support  was  so  little  that  he 
taught  school.  He  was  much  attached  to  the  church,  and  left 
because  he  felt  compelled  to,  saying  in  effect  that  he  would  submit 
to  the  most  homely  fare  if  he  could  be  permitted  to  preach  to 
the  church  in  Middlebury."  The  reason  he  left  was  like  this:  "A 
certain  Diotrephes  (we  will  call  him),  became  a  member  of  the 
church.  Seth  Langdon,  a  most  exemplars^  man,  was  appointed 
deacon.  Diotrephes  coveted  the  office  and  frequently  entered 
complaint  against  Deacon  Langdon  in  the  church,  but  the  precise 
cause  of  the  complaint  against  the  deacon  has  not  transpired 
farther  than  that  Deacon  Langdon  was  exalted  and  Diotrephes 
abased.  He  left  the  meeting,  also  declaring  he  "could  not  walk 
with  the  church  so  long  as  Mordecai  sat  in  the  king's  gate. "  He 
also  alleged  that  the  deacon's  wife  was  unfit  for  the  duties  that 
devolved  upon  her.  Whether  Diotrephes  met  the  fate  of  Haman 
we  leave  others  to  decide,  for  both  Diotrephes  and  the  Deacon's 
wife  soon  died,  and  we  may  suppose  that  the  Deacon  obtained  a 
wife,  who,  in  the  estimation  of  Diotrephes,  was  fit  to  share  in  the 
honors  and  duties  of  deaconship,  for  the  Deacon  soon  afterward 
married  his  widow. 

Elder  Kendrick  felt  the  disturbing  influence  of  this  modern 
Diotrephes,  and  though  no  one  could  say  aught  against  his  charac- 
ter or  ministry,  though  he  had  a  good  report  of  those  \Aithout,  the 
male  members  showed  uncommon  apathy  when  the  time  for  raising 
a  new  subscription  arrived.     On  the  other  hand  the  sisters  were 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  127 

very  anxious  for  him  to  remain,  and  four  of  them  went  out  with 
their  subscription  papers  and  raised  the  stipulated  salary  without 
any  aid  from  the  male  members  of  the  church.  It  was  a  sore  trial 
for  Elder  Kendrick  to  leave  the  church,  but  he  had  accepted  an- 
other place  before  he  knew  that  his  salary  had  been  raised. 

"In  about  a  year  Elder  Isaac  Bucklin  succeeded  to  the  pastor- 
ate and  remained  two  years.  He  is  represented  as  a  kind  man  who 
tried  to  smooth  the  path  of  the  brethren  and  sisters  and  was  well 
regarded  by  the  people.  His  fault,  for  ministers  have  faults  and 
a  change  of  them  has  been  wittily  termed  'obtaining  a  new  assort- 
ment of  faults,'  was  driving  a  nice  horse  and  carriage.  Once  he 
ventured  to  exchange  horses  and  that  was  a  mortal  sin,  in  the 
eyes  of  one  of  the  deacons.  When  questioned  about  it  he  said 
he  thought  it  was  as  cheap  to  keep  a  good  horse  as  a  poor  one,  and 
as  for  the  carriage,  that  was  a  present  from  his  father-in-law  to 
his  wife.  But  all  was  of  no  avail.  Though  God  blessed  his  labors 
and  most  of  the  brethren  much  desired  him  to  stay,  there  was  not 
that  unanimity  that  promised  success,  and  he  left  for  another 
field." 

Concerning  salaries,  in  the  pioneer  days  when  the  people  were 
poor  the  pastors  received  no  stipulated  salary. 

In  the  history  of  the  Cornwall  Church  is  this  record: 

"When  Elder  Ephraim  Sawyer  commenced  his  labors  among 
the  people,  by  a  series  of  reverses  in  fortune  he  had  been  reduced 
to  poverty.  Having  no  stipulated  salary  the  people  gave  him 
what  they  pleased.  That  the  people  were  pleased  to  bestow  of 
the  blessings  they  enjoyed  is  proved  by  several  instances  of  justice 
dealt  out  with  kindness,  among  which  we  notice  the  following: 
There  was  a  general  contribution  of  wool,  which  was  carded,  spun, 
colored  and  woven  by  the  good  housewives  and  their  daughters, 
and  so  Elder  Sawyer  was  provided  with  a  complete  suit  of  clothes, 
which  he  much  needed, " 

In  the  records  of  the  Whiting  Church,  under  date  of  October 
4, 1799,  is  this  item, — the  only  one  concerning  the  pastor's  payment : 
"The  church  voted  to  bear  Elder  Rathbun's  extra  expense  for 
liquor  for  himself  and  family,  and  to  have  it  averaged  on  the 
members  of  the  church,  and  that  the  Elder  call  on  the  deacons  of 
the  church  for  said  liquor  when  he  is  in  want  of  it. " 


128  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Upon  this  item  the  historian  makes  this  comment:  "To  the 
present  generation  it  might  be  a  matter  of  pleasing  reference  did 
the  records  of  the  church  show  the  footing  of  expense  annually, 
for  this  kind  and  thoughtful  provision  for  their  Spiritual  Guide 
and  his  household,  but  this  does  not  appear.  We  have  reason, 
however,  to  believe  that  it  was  generous  and  ample  according  to  the 
spirit  of  the  times." 

When  the  Bristol  church,  in  1811,  began  to  raise  money  by 
subscription  for  preaching,  twenty-eight  brethren  subscribed  the 
sum  of  thirty-five  dollars.  This  they  paid  out  to  several  ministers, 
in  sums  from  one  shilling  to  one  dollar  as  cases  demanded. 

It  is  fair  to  add  that  this  church,  in  1835,  was  ])aying  three 
hundred  dollars,  which  they  increased  to  four  hundred  dollars 
the  next  year. 

In  pioneer  days  when  all  were  poor,  the  meager  provision  for 
ministers  was  not  culpable  perhaps,  but  became  so  when  prosperity 
became  general  among  the  members.  Dr.  Archibald  in  his  address 
said:  "Addison  County  is  one  of  the  richest,  if  not  the  richest  agri- 
cultural county  in  the  State.  For  many  years  one  of  its  purely' 
rural  to\Mis,  given  wholly  to  agriculture,  had  the  largest  grand  list 
in  proportion  to  its  population  of  any  town  in  Vermont." 

While  lacking  in  respect  to  provision  for  ministerial  support, 
the  Association  was  not  forgetful  of  the  claims  of  the  various 
benevolent  and  missionarv'  enterprises  of  the  denomination. 

At  its  first  session  the  following  resolution  was  passed : 

"Resolved,  that  we  recommend  to  the  several  churches  com- 
posing this  Association  to  form  themselves  into  charitable  societies, 
and  take  immediate  measures  to  raise  a  sum  equal  to  fifty  cents 
on  each  member,  the  ensuing  year,  for  benevolent  purposes."  Al- 
though this  recommendation  was  not  fully  complied  with,  yet  the 
next  year  with  eight  hundred  and  eighty-seven  members  they 
report  three  hundred  and  forty-seven  dollars  and  seventy  cents 
raised  for  benevolent  purposes,  and  the  Association  at  that  session 
raised  in  addition  one  hundred  dollars  for  ministerial  education, 
and  two  hundred  and  seventy-five  dollars  for  the  anticipated 
Widow  and  Orphan  Fund.  In  1836,  when  the  membership  was 
eleven  hundred  and  ninety-five,  they  reported  six  hundred  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  129 

seventy-six  dollars  and  twenty-four  cents  for  benevolence.  Dur- 
ing forty -five  years  preceding  1883,  the  benevolent  contributions  of 
the  Association  amounted  to  thirteen  thousand,  eight  hundred 
and  thirty-three  dollars  and  ninety-eight  cents,  or  an  average  of 
three  hundred  and  seven  dollars  and  forty -two  cents  annually. 
The  average  of  the  membership  for  forty -nine  years  is  six  hundred 
and  seventeen,  so  that  the  yearly  contributions  to  benevolent 
purposes  have  averaged  about  fifty  cents  per  member. 

If  the  sums  paid  for  Vermont  Academy,  and  to  the  Middlebury 
and  Vergennes  churches  for  building  meeting-houses  were  added, 
the  total  w^ould  amount  to  over  twenty  thousand  dollars. 

For  the  last  three  decades  the  Association  has  maintained  a 
constituency  of  nine  or  ten  churches.  All  but  two  of  the  churches 
now  in  the  Association  were  among  the  constituent  churches. 
These  are  Addison,  Bristol,  Charlotte,  Middlebury,  Panton, 
Whiting,  West  Cornwall.  The  church  in  Vergennes  joined  the 
circle  in  1868,  Lincoln  in  1879,  Middlebur5%  for  a  time  blotted 
from  the  constellation,  reappeared  in  1879,  and  now  shines  with 
cheering  brilliance.  Few  recent  years  have  been  marked  by 
general  revival  interest.  The  largest  ingatherings  were  in  the 
years,  1807  and  1809,  when  sixty-two  and  seventy-one  respectively 
were  added  by  baptism. 

The  annual  meetings  of  the  Association  have  been  inspira- 
tional. 

The  story  of  Ephraim  Sa^^yer's  life  is  a  part  of  the  history 
of  the  churches  in  Addison  County;  from  early  youth  till  old  age 
he  w^as  fired  with  evangelistic  zeal,  which  was  very  fruitful  in  this 
county. 

Elder  Ephraim  Sawyer. 

Ephraim  Sa^vyer  was  born  in  Leominster,  Mass.,  September 
19,  1756.  His  parents  were  of  the  Presbyterian  school  of  thought, 
very  pious  people,  who  were  not  neglectful  of  their  children's 
religious  training.  Though  often  deeply  impressed  with  his  need 
of  Christ,  he  resisted  impressions  through  his  youth.  At  the  age 
of   twenty-two   he    married.     His   father,    catching   the   pioneer 


130  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

spirit,  had  moved  to  Westmoreland,  N.  H.,  which  was  then  a 
wilderness.  Extreme  toil  and  hardships  were  theirs,  in  a  country 
infested  with  savages  and  scoured  by  unprincipled  Tories  of  the 
Revolution  then  in  progress.  Soon  after  his  marriage  he  joined 
the  Revolutionary  Army.  The  godless  life  of  many  of  the  soldiers 
only  deepened  serious  impressions  and  resulted  in  a  somewhat 
protracted  season  of  deep  conviction,  out  of  which  he  came  into 
the  peace  of  confiding  trust.  The  hardships  of  camp  life  under- 
mined his  health  and  he  hired  a  substitute  and  returned  to  his  family. 
He  at  once  confessed  his  faith  and  began  to  bear  witness  and  to 
seek  the  conversion  of  others.  He  was  much  in  prayer  for  the 
unconverted.  His  activity  awoke  the  church  and  resulted  in  the 
ingathering  of  thirty  into  the  Westmoreland  church,  then  under 
the  care  of  Elder  Ebenezer  Bailey.  From  Westmoreland,  he 
moved  his  family  to  Charlotte.  There  he  was  deprived  almost 
wholly  of  church  privileges.  He  was  compelled  to  work  stren- 
uously to  provide  for  his  family.  He  became  financially  em- 
barrassed and  discouraged. 

For  the  first  decade  after  his  settlement  in  Charlotte,  he  de- 
pended mainly  on  his  daily  labor  for  the  support  of  his  family. 
The  country  being  new  and  the  settlers  few  and  not  wealthy,  Mr. 
Sawj'er  received  but  little  for  his  ministerial  services, — nothing 
but  his  presents.  Wages  were  low.  As  late  as  1805,  men  worked 
in  June  (as  I  remember,  said  his  friend.  Rev.  S.  H.  Tupper),  for 
thirty-seven  and  one-half  cents  a  day,  which  was  the  price  of  corn. 
Mr.  Sawyer  walked  eight  miles  one  day  to  his  work,  and  at  night 
took  his  pay  in  grain  and  carried  it  home  on  his  back.  This  was 
about  1798,  when  the  roads  were  new  and  bad. 

Soon  after  moving  to  Addison  County,  he  preached  in  the 
school  district,  for  which  he  received  one  hundred  dollars.  The 
week  days  he  spent  in  making  potash  and  clearing  land.  He 
cleared  several  acres  of  heavily  timbered  land  (after  chopped), 
and  received  only  the  ashes  for  his  labor.  None  will  wonder  that 
he  was  always  poor. 

He  moved  to  Grand  Isle,  and  there  his  prospects  brightened, 
but  his  wife  fell  a  victim  to  consumption,  and  he  attempted  to 
carry  her  to  her  home  in  Westmoreland.     Securing  a  two-horse 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  131 

sleigh,  he  began  the  journey  with  her,  but  when  within  thirty 
miles  of  home  she  died,  and  he  finished  the  journey  in  great  sorrow. 
His  affliction  quickened  his  religious  life. 

Arranging  for  the  care  of  his  children  in  Westmoreland,  he 
came  to  Whiting,  Vt.,  and  cleared  land  for  Gideon  W^alker,  one  of 
the  earliest  settlers.  He  there  sought  the  fellowship  of  christians 
in  Whiting  and  Orwell,  and  opened  week  day  meetings,  which  were 
held  about  two  hours  before  sunset  and  were  well  attended.  He 
conducted  these  meetings..  An  interest  was  awakened  and  thirty 
added  to  the  church  in  Orwell,  of  which  Elder  Phelps  was  then 
pastor.  In  these  labors  he  was  assisted  by  Elder  Chamberlain, 
who  emigrated  from  Westmoreland  about  the  same  time  and  lived 
in  Leicester.  People  became  impressed  that  he  ought  to  become  a 
minister.  He  gave  the  subject  much  thought.  He  was  much  in 
the  solitude  of  the  forests  and  always  had  his  Bible  with  him,  and 
was  much  in  prayer.  He  made  an  effort  to  preach,  and  at  first  was 
encouraged,  but  his  second  attempt  was  not  so  successful,  and  he 
postponed  the  decision.  He  met  Miss  Susanna  Farnum  and 
married  her. 

Soon  after  he  started  for  the  Genesee  Valley,  which  was  then 
a  dense  wilderness.  The  road  was  marked  by  blazed  trees.  He 
began  work  within  thirty  miles  of  Rochester.  The  fertility  of  the 
soil  was  much  better  than  that  of  Vermont,  but  the  country  was 
ravaged  by  malaria  and  his  \^^fe  sickened  and  died,  and  an  infant 
followed  in  a  few  days.     His  own  health  also  was  broken. 

He  returned  to  Whiting  in  1792,  and  began  at  once  his  evange- 
listic work,  resolved  to  preach  if  the  way  opened.  He  had  not 
the  learning  of  schools  and  books,  but  he  understood  the  avenues 
to  the  human  heart  and  was  able  to  draw  illustrations  from  nature. 
He  was  of  a  clear,  logical  mind.  His  addresses  were  marked  by 
genuine  sympathy  and  kindness,  and  he  loved  to  proclaim  the 
love  of  God. 

In  1792,  he  was  invited  to  Cornwall.  There  he  worked  with- 
out the  promise  or  expectation  of  reasonable  compensation.  He 
labored  with  his  hands;  erected  a  log  meeting-house;  was  ordained, 
and  for  nine  years  preached  in  Cornwall  and  adjacent  towms.  He 
was  often  in  financial  straits  and  twice  was  imprisoned  by  impatient 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

creditors,  but  was  soon  bailed  out  by  friends.  He  undertook 
long  missionary  journeys. 

He  was  invited  to  preach  as  pastor  in  Granville,  N.  Y.,  where 
an  interest  had  been  started.  He  went,  built  a  meeting-house  and 
had  great  success.  But  he  wished  to  work  as  an  evangelist. 
Removing  his  family  to  Rehoboth,  Mass.,  he  preached  throughout 
Connecticut,  Massachusetts  and  Rhode  Island  for  five  years.  In 
1811,  he  wished  to  make  a  missionary  journey  to  St.  Lawrence 
County,  N.  Y.  He  went  as  far  as  Addison,  where  his  daughter 
was  living,  and  there  fell  sick  and  abandoned  his  journey  to  St. 
Lawrence  County.  He  accepted  a  call  to  Shoreham  and  preached 
alternate  Sundays  there  and  at  Whiting.  He  returned  to  Rehoboth 
and  preached  in  that  region  from  1814  to  1821.  Preached  then  in 
Bridport  and  Ferrisburgh  and  other  towns.  In  1822,  removed 
to  Orwell  and  preached  three  or  four  years.  From  Orwell  he  went 
to  Addison,  and  stayed  six  months,  and  then  to  New  Haven, 
where  he  remained  till  his  death,  October  14,  1827,  aged  seventy- 
one  years.  He  had  six  children  by  his  first  two  wives  and  ten 
by  the  third.     One  daughter  was  wife  of  Elder  Henry  Baldwin. 

The  following  incident  was  given  on  the  authority  of  one 
of  his  daughters  in  the  Vermont  Observer,  September  30,  1846: 

While  traveling  to  meet  his  appointment  he  had  occasion 
to  pass  a  high  liridge  that  was  in  a  state  of  dilapidation  and  deemed 
unsafe.  He,  however,  passed  over  in  safety.  On  his  return  he 
had  to  repass  it,  but  did  not  reach  it  until  the  darkness  of  night 
rendered  his  vision  entirely  useless.  On  approaching  it  his  horse 
stopped.  He  urged  it  forward  gently,  but  he  soon  stopped  again. 
He  was  about  to  alight  from  his  carriage  when  the  animal  moved 
gently  forward,  and  he  resumed  his  seat.  He  shortly  arrived  at 
an  Inn,  and  the  inten.se  darkness  induced  him  to  put  up  for  the 
night.  His  host  inquired  from  what  direction  he  came.  He  told 
him.  His  host  replied  he  must  be  mistaken,  for  that  was  im- 
possible, the  covering  of  the  high  bridge  having  been  removed 
that  afternoon.  Subsequent  explanation  satisfied  him  of  the  fact. 
In  the  morning  he  returned  to  the  bridge  and  found  it  even  so. 
The  horse  took  one  string  piece  and  the  wheels  two  others,  and  he 
came  safely  over. 


Chapter  IX 
CHURCHES  IN  THE  ADDISON  ASSOCIATION  GROUP 

Orwell 

Orwell  was  early  a  center  of  Baptist  influence.  At  a  confer- 
ence meeting  held  December  21,  1787,  a  little  company  of  eleven 
Baptists  voted  to  organize  themselves  as  a  Baptist  church,  which 
purpose  they  carried  out  a  few  days  later.  One  of  their  number 
was  Elnathan  Phelps,  and  him  they  chose  and  ordained  to  be 
their  pastor.  Their  union  was  wonderfully  blessed.  Within  a 
year  from  the  date  of  their  organization,  they  had  ordained  their 
minister,  built  a  meeting-house,  and  increased  their  membership 
to  seventy-two.  In  the  spring  of  1790,  a  work  of  grace  began,  and 
a  year  later  the  membership  had  reached  the  number  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty.  Then  serious  dissensions  arose  and  nineteen  mem- 
bers withdrew^  and,  uniting  with  seventeen  others  who  had  previous- 
ly withdrawn,  organized  themselves  into  a  separate  body.  The 
two  bodies  continued  to  hold  separate  meetings  for  six  years,  when 
a  reconciliation  was  effected  through  the  mediation  of  Elder 
Samuel  Webster.  Wounds  were  healed  and  eighty-seven  mem- 
bers signed  a  new  covenant  and  agreed  to  walk  together,  and  to 
this  number  were  added  in  subsequent  years  fifty-seven  others. 

In  June,  following.  Elder  Webster  removed  his  family 
to  Orwell  and  became  pastor  of  the  church. 

In  1799,  the  church  complied  with  the  request  of  a  number 
of  brethren  and  sisters,living  in  the  towns  of  Cornw^all  and  Whiting, 
for  letters  of  dismission  to  form  the  church  in  the  town  of  Whiting. 
April  5,  1800,  a  number  of  brethren,  living  in  Hampton,  N.  Y., 
were  received  into  this  church  as  a  branch.  September  15,  1804, 
Deacon  Murray  brought  charge  against  the  pastor,  Webster,  of 
falsehood  and  the  trial  resulted  in  his  exclusion.     The  exclusion 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

caused  a  division  in  the  church  and  a  part  of  it  followed  him,  and 
together  set  up  meetings  which  were  continued  for  several  years. 
The  church  from  this  time  rapidly  decreased  in  numbers,  holding 
few  meetings,  the  last  of  which  was  on  the  second  day  of  March, 
1805. 

Before  the  close  of  that  year,  however,  at  a  conference  held  in 
a  schoolhouse  in  the  north  part  of  the  town,  sixteen  Baptists,  nine 
men  and  seven  women,  united  as  a  church,  and  were  recognized  as 
such  June  18,  1806.  For  two  years  this  little  band  maintained 
worship  and  the  ordinance  of  the  church,  and  then  an  awakening 
occurred  and  thirty-two 'were  baptized.  Again,  in  1810,  they  were 
encouraged  by  the  reception  of  twenty  converts.  Elder  Peck  was 
pastor  till  1812,  when  he  moved  west.  Isaac  Sawyer  succeeded 
him  until  1816.  The  year  1815  was  a  fruitful  one  in  which  thirty- 
nine  were  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  church.  A  few  years 
of  depression  followed,  in  which  the  pulpit  was  supplied  at  inter- 
vals by  Elders  Spaulding  and  Ravelin,  Isaac  Fuller  and  Ephraim 
Sawyer.  Robert  Hastings  was  ordained  pastor  in  1826.  During 
this  year  a  large  council  convened,  called  by  the  church  on  recom- 
mendation of  several  Baptist  ministers,  to  investigate  certain 
charges  preferred  against  the  church  by  Abner  Ames  for  neglecting 
to  entertain  his  complaints  against  some  of  the  brethren, — ^he 
having  published  a  book  in  relation  thereto.  The  church  was 
exonerated  from  blame  in  the  matter.  Elder  Hastings  continued 
his  relation  about  two  years;  and  for  two  years  the  church  was 
without  pastor.  In  the  years  from  1830  to  1840  there  were  seasons 
of  ingatherings  and  seasons  of  trouble.  Edmund  Greenough  was 
ordained  September  23,  1830,  but  was  dismissed  in  April  following. 
Aaron  Angier  united  with  the  church  in  1832  and  was  called  to 
ordination  in  1833.  Thirty  were  baptized  in  1833,  mostly  young 
people.  Soon  after,  Leland  Howard  became  pastor,  followed  by 
the  venerable  Elder  John  Ide  in  1838.  The  church  at  that  time 
numbered  one  hnndred  and  fourteen.  Thirty-six  more  were  added 
in  1840.  Elder  Ide  was  dismissed  at  his  own  request,  July  24, 
1842.  A.  perceptible  alienation  of  feeling  had  sprung  up.  A 
difficulty  in  which  Orison  S.  Murray  was  concerned  caused  much 
di\  ision,    and    finally    terminated   in    his   exclusion.     Difficulties 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  135 

multiplied  and  divisions  increased,  caused  among  other  things  by 
the  Advent  excitement,  that  doctrine  ha\'ing  been  embraced  l^y 
many  of  the  members,  until  finally  the  church  was  scattered  like 
sheep  upon  a  mountain  not  having  any  shepherd.  The  meetings 
were  neglected,  records  silent,  the  members  attending  other  meet- 
ings or  neglecting  the  means  of  grace  entirely,  mitil  1848,  when  on 
the  nineteenth  day  of  August,  after  one  or  two  preliminary  meet- 
ings, the  church  united  on  a  resolution  to  renew  covenant.     Elder 

B.  Allen  preached  during  this  and  the  two  succeeding  years,  one- 
fourth  of  the  time;  and  others  supplied  occasionally.  At  the 
meeting  in  1848,  six  only  were  willing  to  subscribe  their  names 
renewing  covenant.  In  1853,  the  church  numbered  thirty-two. 
J.  W.  Sawyer  was  pastor  in  1854.  That  year  their  former  beloved 
pastor,  Aaron  Angier,  died.  In  1855,  they  purchased  a  parsonage, 
remodelled  their  meeting-house  and  received  eleven  new  members. 

C.  D.  Fuller  and  R.  A.  Hodge  suppHed  a  while,  but  the  church 
declined  under  its  difficulties  and  became  extinct  about  1867. 

Cornwall 

As  early  as  179''2,  Ephraim  Sawyer  had  heard  the  call  of  God, 
and  in  response,  had  begun  his  work  in  humble  ministries  from 
house  to  house,  among  the  friends  he  had  made  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Fair  Bridge,  in  Cornwall.  In  cottage  meetings  he  met 
the  people  and  told  the  Gospel  story  and  preached  the  doctrines 
of  grace.  The  people  heard  him  gladly.  They  built  a  log  school- 
house  and  made  it  a  Bethel,  where  they  ordained  their  preacher, 
and  in  increasing  numbers  attended  his  ministry.  The  pastor  was 
a  poor  man,  havmg  met  recent  financial  reverses.  When  not  en- 
gaged in  ministerial  duties  he  and  his  intimate  friend.  Elder  Henry 
Chamberlain,  were  making  potash  near  Lemon  Fair.  The  people 
contributed  wool  which  the  women  carded,  spun  and  wove  and 
made  their  minister  clothes,  suitable  for  his  public  duties.  They 
allowed  him  to  travel  far  and  wide  through  the  region  on  evangelis- 
tic errands,  and  though  these  sometimes  took  him  several  weeks  at 
a  time  from  his  own  people,  his  church  did  not  appear  to  suffer 
loss  but  grew  in  numbers  and  influence.     For  more  than  nine  years 


136  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

he  continued  his  work  here,  and  then  removed  to  Granville,  N.  Y. 

The  Cornwall  church,  though  flourishing  while  meeting  near 
the  Fair,  concluded  to  remove  the  meetings  to  West  Cornwall, 
where  they  built  a  meeting-house  in  1805,  and  the  church  at  Lemon 
Fair  was  dissolved  that  it  might  be  reorganized  under  the  new 
name  of  the  Cornwall  Baptist  church. 

From  the  resignation  of  Elder  Sawyer  mitil  1808,  the  church 
was  without  pastor.  Then  Henry  Green  came  to  them  and  was 
called  by  the  society  to  settle  with  them.  Mr.  Green  was  a  strong 
man,  a  bit  eccentric,  but  an  interesting  and  powerful  preacher  able 
to  bring  men  to  conviction  and  consecration.  For  twelve  years 
he  led  this  people  with  remarkable  success.  From  a  membership 
of  sixty -five,  the  church  grew  under  his  ministrations  till  it  num- 
bered two  hundred  and  hventy-five. 

But  Elder  Green  grew  old,  and  there  were  some  in  the  church 
who  "desired  a  change."  They  magnified  his  faults  and  lessened 
his  influence  till  he  resigned  his  position,  much  to  the  grief  of 
many  of  the  people.  Division  in  the  church  was  the  natural  result. 
He,  however,  retained  his  interest  in  the  church,  and  often  in  after 
years,  supplied  them  when  they  were  in  need.  It  was  hard  to  find 
a  satisfactory  successor.  Said  an  earlier  chronicler,  "The  fire  that 
had  been  kindled  at  the  removal  of  Elder  Sawyer  had  not  gone 
out,  and  the  smoke  and  cinders  annoyed  his  successors  and  their 
stay  was  short."  B.  N.  Leach  was  ordained  in  1825.  Reuben 
and  Isaac  Sawyer,  Elder  Case,  George  B.  Ide  and  others,  rendered 
temporary'  service.  J.  K.  Wright  and  Amzi  Jones  were  ordained 
in  1832.  None  continued  to  preach  more  than  two  years.  In  the 
interval  between  1845  and  1860,  it  can  hardly  be  said  that  they  had 
a  stated  minister.  In  1862,  their  old  meeting-house  was  thoroughly 
remodelled  at  a  cost  of  about  two  thousand  dollars.  The  same 
year  thirty-five  were  added  to  the  membership.  W.  L.  Palmer 
was  then  pastor.  W.  L.  Palmer  continued  pastor  till  1870.  Rev. 
A.  W.  Eastman  the  next  pastor,  (1873),  was  expelled  within  the 
year.  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald  supplied  from  1874  to  1876,  and  was 
followed  in  1878,  by  Rev.  I.  P.  Kellogg,  1878-1880.  Ahira  Jones 
was  pastor  from  1880  until  his  death  in  1885.  Ahira  Jones  was 
bom  in  Cornwall  and  was  a  son  of  Deacon  Amzi  Jones.    In  1836,  he 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  137 

graduated  from  Waterville  College,  bearing  the  second  honor  of  his 
class.  His  first  pastorate  was  at  Saco,  Maine.  In  1854,  he  re- 
turned to  Vermont  as  missionary  agent  for  the  Vermont  Baptist 
State  Convention,  prosecuting  that  work  with  great  energy  and 
success  for  five  years.  Subsequently  he  was  pastor  of  churches 
in  Colchester,  Jericho  and  West  Cornwall.  He  was  a  wise  counsel- 
lor, a  tireless  worker  and  a  successful  agent  and  pastor.  He  died 
at  the  parsonage  in  West  Cornwall,  December  11,  1884,  aged 
seventy-six  years. 

Rev.  A.  A.  Cambridge  was  next  pastor  1890-1891.  ;From 
that  time  till  1900  the  church  had  no  pastor,  and  sustained  preach- 
ing services  but  a  portion  of  the  time.  Then,  with  the  backing  of 
the  State  Convention,  Rev.  Guy  C.  Lamson  became  pastor  and 
the  parsonage  was  repaired  and  the  church  took  on  new  life.  He 
remained  about  two  years  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Clement 
Tomlin  for  one  year,  and  by  Rev.  T.  A.  Howard  for  five  years, 
1903-1908. 

Since  1908,  the  church  has  been  pastorless  and  has  failed  to 
report  to  the  Association.  Membership  last  reported  was  twenty- 
six. 

Panton 

On  the  Fourth  of  July,  1794,  an  event  occurred  in  the  little 
village  of  Panton,  which  added  to  Independence  Day  a  sacred 
historical  association.  On  that  day  a  Baptist  church  was  formed 
under  impressive  circumstances.  Sherman  Babcock,  a  licentiate 
from  Kingsbury,  N.  Y.,  had  been  holding  meetings  in  private 
dwellings  and  in  the  schoolhouse.  Some  of  his  hearers  had  jre- 
ceived  the  word  with  gladness  and  wanted  to  be  baptized.  They 
sent  to  Washington  County  for  Elder  Amasa  BrowTi,  the  nearest 
Baptist  minister,  who  came,  listened  to  the  young  converts'  chris- 
tian experiences  and  baptized  them  in  Champlain.  These,  with 
their  leader,  Mr.  Babcock,  constituted  the  Panton  Baptist  church. 
Their  names  were  Sherman  Babcock,  Elisha  Grandy,  Abner  Hol- 
comb,  Zadoc  Knapp,  Samuel  Shepherd,  Salome  Grandy,  Midwell 
Holcomb,  Mary  Ferris  and  Mary  Shepherd.     Elisha  Grandy  was 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

chosen  clerk.  In  1799,  Henry  Chamberlain  was  ordained  first 
pastor  of  the  church,  first  settled  minister  in  the  town.  His 
pastorate  continued  five  years.  We  have  only  the  briefest  annals 
of  the  years  that  followed,  years  of  mingled  joy  and  trouble.  Fre- 
quent conversions  and  accession  of  members,  frequent  cases  of 
discipline  kept  the  minds  of  the  members  busy.  In  1810,  they 
dedicated  their  meeting-house.  Abel  Wood  was  pastor  in  1811 
and  until  1816.  The  church  then  numbered  ninety-three.  For 
the  next  ten  years  there  was  steady  decline.  Jeremy  H.  Dwyer, 
H.  Chamberlain,  John  Stearns  and  William  Myrick  served  short 
terms  as  pastors.  Then  came  the  great  revival  of  1831,  when 
sixty-one  were  added  by  baptism  and  others  by  letter,  and  one 
hundred  and  thirteen  was  the  number  of  members.  John  A. 
Dodge  was  pastor  during  this  ingathering. 

J.  Tenbroek  was  one  of  the  converts  he  baptized,  one  destined 
to  be  of  great  usefulness  in  this  and  other  churches.  In  1854,  he 
was  licensed  to  preach,  and  began  in  liis  home  church.  The  next 
year  he  was  ordained  pastor.  For  some  ten  years  he  ministered 
with  great  success,  and  the  church  attained  its  maximum  strength 
of  one  hundred  and  sixty -nine  meml)ers  in  1840.  Then  the  tide 
began  to  ebb;  W.  W.  Moor,  E.  E.  Mills  and  even  J.  Tenbroek 
were  not  able  to  stay  it.  These  were  the  days  of  the  Advent 
excitement  when  all  the  churches  suffered.  J.  P.  Huntington,  H. 
S.  P.  Warren  and  Isaac  Sawyer  followed  one  another  in  the  pastor- 
ate, the  tide  steadily  ebbing,  till  thirty-seven  was  the  number 
remaining.  Then  for  a  little  while  came  increase  under  the  leader- 
ship of  H.  H.  Parker,  followed  by  steady  decline  till  in  1890,  the 
church  ceased  to  report  to  the  Association  for  a  decade,  though 
maintaining  its  organization. 

In  1901,  Rev.  S.  H.  Meyers  came  to  the  little  church,  backed 
by  the  State  Convention  with  an  annual  appropriation  of  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  and  gave  seven  years  of  patient, 
wise  ministry,  under  which  the  church  doubled  its  membership. 
Since  1908,  the  pastors  of  the  church  in  Vergennes,  H.  T.  Slocum 
and  Geo.  Pomfrev,  have  taken  the  Panton  church  under  their  care. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  139 

MONKTON 

This  church  began  its  work  in  1794,  under  the  care  of  Elder 
Joseph  Call,  of  Cambridge.  The  constituent  members  were 
Ephraim  Page,  Ezbon  Fuller,  Ashbel  Fuller,  Isaac  Sa\\yer,  Ebene- 
zer  Stearns,  Lydia  Fuller,  Hannah  Brant,  who  were  baptized  by 
Elder  Call,  and  Rachel  Sterns,  who  had  previously  been  baptized. 
Of  these  original  nembers,  Isaac  Sawj'er  was  a  recognized  leader. 
He  was  first  appointed  church  clerk  and  also  chosen  to  lead  the 
devotional  meetings  in  the  absence  of  the  pastor.  In  1797,  he  was 
appointed  deacon,  the  next  year  licensed  to  preach,  and  in  1799, 
was  ordained  pastor, — the  first  regular  pastor  of  the  church,  and 
the  first  ordained  settled  minister  in  the  town.  The  church  in- 
creased with  a  gradual  increase  during  the  pastorate,  which  con- 
tinued for  fourteen  years.  During  this  period  two  churches  were 
constituted  of  members  dismissed  from  this  church  for  that  pur- 
pose, the  church  in  Charlotte,  nineteen  members,  in  May  1807,  and 
the  church  in  Hinesburg,  eighteen  members.  In  1810,  Elisha 
Collins  and  John  Stearns  were  licensed  to  preach. 

A  meeting-house  was  erected  in  1811.  The  next  year  Sa\vyer 
resigned  and  removed  to  Fairfield,  Vt.  Nathaniel  Kendrick  was 
the  next  pastor,  and  during  the  two  years  of  his  labor  the  church 
passed  through  sad  scenes  on  account  of  a  prevalent  sickness  of 
great  mortality.  Ephraim  Butler  was  pastor,  1818-1821;  Peter 
Chase,  1821-1824 ;  H.  J.  Hall,  1828-1830.  P.  E.  Fish  was  hcensed 
in  1830,  A.  Lawrence  in  1833  and  M.  M.  Dean  in  1834,  A.  Kings- 
bury in  1837.  These  licentiates  supplied  frequently  as  circum- 
stances required.  M.  D.  Miller  was  ordained  pastor.  M.  M. 
Dean  was  also  ordained  in  this  church.  From  1843  till  1852,  the 
church  nearly  lost  its  visibility,  having  no  pastor  and  holding  no 
church  meetings.  In  1852,  however,  Zenas  Jones  came  for  their 
encouragement,  and  the  following  year  Elder  E.  Smith  gave  his 
whole  time  to  the  church,  and  the  church  put  on  strength  and 
doubled  its  membership,  and  repaired  its  house  of  worship.  In 
1867,  Elder  I.  P.  Kellogg  became  pastor  and  for  ten  years  shep- 
herded the  little  flock.  Then  for  several  years  the  church  was 
again  practically  pastorless  most  of  the  time,  till  1885,  when  I.  P. 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

Kellogg  again  became  pastor,  retaining  that  relation  for  fifteen 
years,  resigning  in  1901.  After  his  resignation  the  church  was 
supplied  two  or  three  years  by  Pastors  Kinzie,  of  Bristol,  and 
Safford,  of  Hinesburgh.  Since  1904,  the  name  of  the  church  has 
disappeared  from  the  minutes  and  the  church  is  reckoned  extinct 
after  a  life  of  one  hundred  and  ten  years. 

Shoreham 

The  Shoreham  Baptist  church  was  recognized  June  2,  1794, 
and  consisted  of  fifteen  members  to  which  others  were  soon  added. 
Abel  Woods  was  chosen  its  first  pastor  and  ordained  February 
26,  1795.  The  first  deacon  was  Eli  Smith,  who  was  chosen  to 
stand  on  trial  until  the  church  should  get  satisfied.  Four  years 
later  he  was  confirmed  in  his  office.  During  the  winter  of  1795, 
there  was  special  interest  and  sixteen  were  ''brought  into  liberty.'' 
In  1810,  there  was  another  revival  and  frequent  additions.  Elder 
Woods  closed  his  labors  as  pastor  that  year  and  was  succeeded  by 
Ephriam  Sawj^er,  1810-1814,  and  by  Elder  John  Spaulding,  1815. 
In  1817,  the  church  in  Ticonderoga  was  set  off,  and  not  far  from  this 
time  a  branch  church  was  formed  at  Pitts  Creek,  which  appears 
to  have  been  the  source  of  the  church  at  Crown  Point.  Elder 
Spaulding  was  dismissed  in  1819  and  was  succeeded  by  Elder 
Ravlin,  in  1810,  Elder  Henry  Chamberlain  in  1823,  and  Elder 
Storers  in  1832,  who  appears  to  have  been  their  last  settled  minis- 
ter. The  whole  number  of  members  that  were  connected  with 
this  church  during  its  existence  was  not  far  from  three  hundred 
and  fifteen.  Many  of  these  were  noble  men  and  would  have  been 
an  ornament  in  any  society.  They  were  men  of  character  leaning 
decidedly  to  firmness,  but  without  the  dogmatic  element.  For 
several  years  Deacon  Eli  Smith  and  Brother  Hopkins  Rowley 
bore  a  large  share  of  the  burdens  of  public  duties.  The  place  of 
meeting  was  at  first  in  private  dwellings  and  afterwards  in  a  school- 
house.  It  does  not  appear  that  they  ever  had  a  meeting-house. 
The  members  generally  lived  between  the  center  of  the  town  and 
the  lake,  and  the  meetings  would  be  on  one  side  of  them  if  held 
at  the  center.     Had  the  church  adopted  the  policy  of  a  central 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  141 

location,  it  is  possible  that  it  might  have  maintained  its  existence. 
But  like  many  other  churches  it  did  not  feel  that  it  could  remove 
the  meetings  so  far  from  them,  and  the  result  was  that  they  did 
not  exert  so  wide  an  influence  in  the  town  as  it  appears  they  might. 
The  first  clerk,  Timothy  Page,  died  in  1810,  and  left  the  reputation 
of  a  great  man  in  Israel.  Deacon  Eli  Smith,  the  first  deacon,  was 
also  an  able  man;  Rev.  Eli  B.  Smith  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Smith. 
He  joined  the  church  in  1817,  graduated  at  Middlebury  College 
in  1827  or  1828,  was  successively  pastor  at  Buffalo  and  Poultney, 
Vt.;  was  called  to  the  professorship  of  theology  in  the  New  Hamp- 
ton Institution  and  died  in  Colchester,  Vt.  Professor  Smith  was 
a  man  of  great  administrative  ability,  a  sound  theologian,  a  clear 
and  vigorous  writer.  He  left  his  impression  on  the  generation  in 
which  he  lived.  Elder  Abel  Woods,  who  served  them  seventeen 
years,  was  annoyed  by  a  controversy  over  the  ministerial  lands, 
which  were  rightfully  his  as  the  first  settled  minister,  but  which 
the  to\VTi  sought  to  divide  between  other  denominations,  and 
finally  to  take  from  Mr.  Woods  altogether,  but  were  defeated. 

The  first  intimations  of  salary  are  contained  in  a  record  that 
refers  to  the  obligation  of  the  church  to  pay  a  man  they  had 
hired  to  work  for  Elder  Woods.  Afterwards  the  salary-  was 
twenty-five  dollars  a  year,  then  forty  dollars  and  finally  sixty 
dollars.  The  records  of  the  church  are  very  full  and  accurate 
until  1826,  but  after  this  little  is  recorded  till  1832,  when  the  record 
closes.  About  the  year  1815,  members  began  to  take  letters  to 
other  churches,  and  the  tide  of  emigration  that  had  formerly  favored 
the  church  turned  against  it  until  it  was  a  common  thing  to  dis- 
miss several  members  nearly  every  month.  It  is  said  the  church 
ceased  to  exist.  It  might  be  said  it  moved  away,  some  of  it  to  hea\en, 
but  a  large  number  to  other  parts  of  the  earth,  first.  It  proved  the 
parent  of  at  least  two  other  churches,  and  its  members  removing  to 
other  places  materially  assisted  many  more. 

An  unhappy  di\asion  marred  the  peace  of  this  church  a  few 
of  the  last  years  of  its  existence.  One  of  the  deacons  was  dissatis- 
fied in  some  way  and  so  became  a  leader  of  a  party  that  insisted  on 
removing  the  meetings  to  the  center  of  the  town.  A  council  that 
considered  the  matter  gave  a  decision  both  wise  and  clear.     They 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

decided  that  the  attempt  of  the  minority  to  remove  the  meeting 
was  wrong,  since  majorities  should  govern,  but  also  that  the 
majority  ought  to  remove  the  meeting  to  the  center  of  the  town. 
The  meeting  was  removed  to  the  academy  hill  a  portion  of  the 
time,  but  the  division  had  become  so  serious  that  it  materially 
weakened  the  church. 

Bristol 

The  early  history  of  the  Bristol  church  has  been  more  full}' 
written  than  that  of  many  others  and  is  perser^^ed  in  the  minutes 
of  the  Addison  Association  for  ISo^.  It  reads  like  the  record  of 
April  days,  sunshine  and  showers  in  quick  alternation,  now  and 
then  a  June-like  day  followed  by  a  storm,  but  all  the  while  the 
plants  of  God  were  grownng.  The  earliest  days  were  beautiful. 
Elder  Joseph  Call  and  two  of  his  friends,  Silas  Smith  and  Thomas 
Tuttle,  came  down  one  day  from  Cambridge,  and  a  small  company 
assembled  to  hear  him  preach.  Among  his  hearers  were  nine 
who  had  already  found  Christ,  and  after  the  sermon  they  confessed 
him,  gave  satisfactory  evidence  of  conversion,  and  were  baptized 
by  Elder  Call.  Their  names  were  Timothy  Allen,  Phineas  Rugg, 
Daniel  Dean,  Johnson  Allen,  Asa  Smith,  x\nna  Day,  Margaret 
Smith,  Polly  Rugg,  Esther  Allen.  Three  days  later,  August  10, 
17{)4,  these,  with  Elizabeth  Day  and  Elizabeth  Sutton,  covenanted 
together  as  a  church  and  chose  Timothy  Allen,  deacon,  and  Asa 
Smith,  scribe.  Several  others  desired  baptism  at  the  next  coven- 
ant meeting,  September  18,  and  the  church  sent  Daniel  Dean 
through  the  wilderness  to  Pittsford  to  secure  the  services  of  Elder 
Joseph  Rich,  who  came  and  administered  the  ordinance.  The 
church  adopted  very  brief  and  simjile  rules,  providing  for  monthly 
covenant  meetings,  attendance  of  all  members,  orderly  proceedings 
under  a  moderator's  government,  etc.  The  seventh  article  was, 
"No  member  shall  go  out  of  doors  on  any  imnecessary  occasion." 

The  church  had  no  settled  pastor  for  many  years.  They  were 
visited  at  intervals  by  such  pious,  helpful  men  as  Roswell  Mears, 
Henry  Chamberlain,  Ephraim  and  Isaac  Sawyer,  who  baptized 
and  administered  the  Lord's  Supper.     Their  numbers  increased 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  143 

by  baptisms  and  emigration.  When  no  minister  was  present  the 
brethren  sustained  their  own  meetings  under  "leaders"  who  were 
regularly  appointed  by  the  church.  This  custom  was  continued 
for  a  long  period  and  aided  materially  in  preserving  its  visibility. 
About  1805,  among  the  new  comers  was  one  Asa  Palmer,  who  was 
received  on  letters  of  recommendation  from  seven  churches,  of 
which  he  had  been  a  member.  They  appointed  him  deacon.  He 
was  ambitious  to  preach,  but  the  church  "after  discussion,  voted 
that  his  improvement  was  not  edifying  doctrinally."  Soon  after 
he  withdrew  from  his  office  as  deacon,  became  estranged  from  his 
brethren,  brought  charges  against  the  church  for  employing  an 
unconverted  man  to  lead  the  singing,  and  for  reading  sermons 
written  by  collegians  to  the  neglect  of  the  exhortations  of  the 
brethren,  etc.,  and  finally  withdrew  from  the  church,  joined  the 
Quakers  and  became  an  active  leader  among  therh,  greatly  dis- 
turbing the  church.  In  1807,  Deacon  Timothy  Allen  embraced 
the  doctrines  of  the  Universalists  and  was  cut  off,  and  the  church 
was  plunged  in  gloom  for  a  time.  But  in  1810,  came  a  brighter 
day.  Several  sisters  who  could  not  go  up  through  the  "Notch" 
from  the  "Flats"  began  holding  meetings  for  conference  in  their 
homes.  They  read  the  scriptures  and  exhorted  but  "did  not  know 
as  sisters  could  pray  in  public,"  to  use  the  language  of  one  of  them. 
Soon  after  inquirers  were  directed  to  this  almost  unknown  prayer 
meeting  for  spiritual  guidance,  and  there  a  work  of  grace  began 
that  spread  through  the  town  and  bore  fruit,  that  long  remained. 
Robert  Holley,  Amos  Eastman,  Michael  Dayfoot,  and  associates, — 
firm  supporters  of  Universalism, — came  forward,  and  a  score  of 
others,  and  were  baptized  by  Elders  Sawj^er,  Green  and  Babcock. 
Timothy  Allen  then  returned  with  bitter  tears  of  repentance. 
These  were  times  of  joy  and  hope.  But  within  a  short  time  the 
church  was  troubled  with  causes  for  disciplinary  action.  In  1811, 
they  first  began  to  raise  money  by  subscription  for  preaching. 
Twenty-eight  men  subscribed  the  sum  of  thirty -five  dollars.  This 
they  paid  out  to  several  ministers,  in  sums  from  one  shilling  to  one 
dollar  as  the  cases  demanded.  Two  methods  of  raising  funds  were 
tried,  neither  of  them  fully  successful.  The  subscription  method 
proved  inadequate,  and  the  assessment  method  irritating.     The 


144  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

natural  result  was  financial  stringency  and  a  fluctuating  ministry. 

Amos  Stearns,  a  man  of  piety  and  promise,  came  to  Bristol 
from  Monkton  and  united  with  the  church.  He  preached  so  accept- 
ably that  he  was  licensed  and  brought  the  church  into  harmonious 
union.  In  1818,  a  ministers'  meeting  was  to  be  held  in  Bridport,  and 
a  committee  was  sent  with  the  request  to  have  Mr.  Stearns  examined 
by  them  and  to  ask  their  ad\dce  as  to  his  fitness  for  ordination. 
They  advised  ordination  and  their  advice  was  followed.  Previous 
to  ordination,  however,  the  church  appointed  a  committee  to  meet 
a  committee  of  the  to^m  and  arrange  all  questions  concerning  the 
Glebe  lands.  They  voted  in  church  meeting  "that  Brother 
Stearns  be  ordained  in  such  a  way  as  to  hold  the  Ministerial  Right 
and  deed  the  same  to  the  town  for  the  use  of  schools  forever;  and 
leave  it  to  the  generosity  of  the  town  to  give  Mr.  Stearns  what 
they  see  fit  as  compensation  for  securing  the  land  to  the  town." 
This  proposal  they  sent  by  a  committee  to  a  town  meeting  held 
for  the  purpose.  They  thus  magnanimously  disposed  of  a  claim 
that  had  been  a  fruitful  source  of  discord  in  the  State.  The  town 
voted  to  give  Mr.  Stearns  six  years'  use  of  the  land  and  a  hundred 
dollars  in  money;  a  part  of  which  he  invested  in  a  meeting-house. 
At  the  time  of  Mr.  Stearns'  settlement,  the  church  numbered 
forty-four.  The  whole  number  who  had  been  members  during 
the  twenty -four  years  of  its  history  were  one  hundred  and  eight. 
Forty-one  had  left,  six  had  died,  sixteen  had  been  excluded.  The 
church  united,  in  the  year  1819,  with  the  Congregationalists  and 
Universalists  in  building  a  meeting-house.  It  was  called  the 
White  House.  Each  denomination  was  to  occupy  it  in  proportion 
to  the  amount  of  stock  set  to  their  credit.  During  1820,  the  pastor 
preached  half  the  time  in  the  White  Meeting-House  and  one-fourth 
on  the  East  Hill. 

In  1824,  Elder  Da\-id  Hendee  was  employed  and  continued 
pastor  till  1831.  The  discovery  was  made  that  he  had  been  a 
Mason,  and  although  he  avoided  all  association  with  the  obnoxious 
fraternity,  yet  he  did  not  denounce  it  ^^^th  sufficient  energy  to 
satisfy  many,  and  he  was  brought  before  a  council,  and  although 
this  exonerated  the  pastor  of  blame,  and  somewhat  censured  both 
parties  in  the  church,  yet  its  disapproval  of  Masonry  was  positive. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  145 

and  the  pastorate  soon  ended.  W.  W.  Moore  was  ordained  in 
June,  1834,  and  the  church  seemed  to  have  entered  upon  an  era  of 
prosperity,  but  Mr.  Moore  thought  it  best  to  go  at  the  end  of  a 
year,  and  shipped  his  goods  to  northern  New  York.  The  church 
prevailed  upon  him  to  remain  and  his  goods  were  brought  back. 
A  meeting  was  held  soon  after  for  sixteen  days  and  fifty  came 
forward  for  baptism  during  a  single  month.  Mr.  Moore  was  re- 
tained three  years.  The  last  year  was  less  successful  than  the 
first  and  it  is  recorded  that  "The  result  was  that  the  closing  busi- 
ness arrangements  were  discordant,  and  the  farewell  sermon 
distasteful."  A.  Kingsbury  followed  Mr.  Moore  and  served  two 
years. 

In  1842,  Elder  E.  Hurlbut  was  secured  as  pastor  and  began 
work  under  favorable  circumstances,  many  coming  forward  for 
baptism.  Then  came  the  INIillerite  excitement.  Mr.  Miller  had 
lectured  here  and  his  sentiments  had  taken  root.  The  minister 
favored  the  first  period  prophesied,  and  withdrew.  The  church 
became  divided  and  violently  discordant.  The  Comeouters,  as 
they  were  called,  were  specially  offensive  in  their  denunciation  of 
their  brethren,  who  differed  with  them.  Finally  nineteen  were 
excluded.  Richard  Amsden  was  pastor  from  1845  to  1847,  when 
Elder  C.  W.  Dodge  was  secured,  who  soon  afterward  sickened  and 
died,  deeply  lamented  by  all. 

For  a  time  deep  depression  paralyzed  the  members,  meetings 
were  forsaken  and  hope  seemed  abandoned.  But  in  June,  1852, 
A.  A.  Sawin  was  employed,  hopes  revived,  and  confidence  was 
restored.  The  church  reported  eighty-four  members  in  1854,  at 
its  semi-centennial. 

P.  C.  Himes  was  pastor,  1857-1858;  N.  J.  Pinkham,  1859-1884; 
T.  H.  Archibald,  1866-1873;  L.  B.  Hibbard,  1875;  S.  Small,  1879; 
W.  D.  Hall,  1877-1887;  I.  W.  Coombs,  1882-1884;  P.  B.  Strong, 
1885-1886;  S.  E.  Miller,  1888;  G.  A.  Smith,  1889;  B.  F.  Kellogg, 
1891-1894;  W.  A.  Kinzie,  1895-1902;  S.  P.  Perry,  1903-1906;!.  E. 
Usher,  1908-1910;  E.  M.  Holman,  1911.  Under  these  pastors  the 
church  prospered  and  gradually  gained  in  strength  and  mem- 
bers, attaining  in  1902,  its  highest  mark,  one  hundred  and  fifty-one. 
Membership  in  1912,  one  hundred  and  forty. 


146  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Addison 

The  name  of  the  Addison  church  has  been  on  the  roll  of  Ver- 
mont Baptist  churches  since  1797.  The  birth  of  the  church  at 
that  time  was  largely  due  to  the  house  to  house  evangelism  of 
Elders  Henry  Chamberlain  and  Ephraim  Sawyer,  the  intimate 
friends,  who  burnt  forest  refuse  and  made  potash  near  Lemon 
Fair  Bridge,  Cornwall.  Elder  Phelps,  and  probably  others,  did 
pioneer  work.  October  25,  1797,  twelve  Baptists  covenanted  to- 
gether, in  the  house  of  Noah  Wilson.  Their  names  will  be  precious 
to  any  of  their  descendants.  They  were  James  Doran,  Seth 
Abbott,  John  White,  Leathan  Clark  and  Sisters  Keziah  Seegar, 
Eunice  Clarke,  Sarah  Abbott,  Comfort  White,  Chloe  Squire,  Polly 
Wilson,  Mehitabel  Morley,  and  Betsy  Spencer.  These  signed  a 
short  covenant,  one  clause  of  which  confessed  faith  in  what  is 
called  "the  Cah-inistic  doctrine  of  sovereign  grace."  Some  dis- 
satisfaction was  felt  over  the  word  "Calvinistic"  and  it  was  changed 
to  "Apostolic."  Another  article  which  was  afterward  added  is 
worthy  of  mention;  it  was  as  follows:  "If  any  member  shall 
have  a  difficulty  with  any  minister  or  member  in  relation  to  their 
principles  or  practice,  if  they  tell  it  to  any  other  person  before  they 
have  tried  in  a  Gospel  manner  to  reclaim  them,  if  the  church  cannot 
reclaim  them  (i.  e.,  the  one  who  has  the  difficulty  and  told  of  it), 
they  ought  to  be  expelled  as  disturbers  of  the  peace  of  the  church." 

The  original  members  were  descendants  of  Puritan  stock  of 
Massachusetts,  or  of  the  Dutch  that  settled  near  New  York,  and 
are  said  to  have  been  intellectually,  physically,  morally  strong  men. 
Samuel  Rogers  was  their  first  pastor,  and  as  the  first  settled  minis- 
ter in  town,  became  proprietor  of  the  Ministerial  Rights  in  land, 
which,  when  he  left  the  place,  he  deeded  to  the  Congregational 
church  and  to  the  Baptist,  one-half  to  each.  In  discipline  this  early 
church  was  thorough,  kind  and  successful.  On  several  occasions 
it  labored  with  and  cut  off  the  prominent  members.  The  sins  of 
men  of  property  could  not  go  unrebuked.  The  trials  of  the  church 
in  its  efforts  to  maintain  correct  discipline  were  the  cause  of  some 
very  dark  days,  but  often  they  were  followed  by  days  of  bright- 
ness.    It  is  a  matter  of  record  that  almost  every  revival  was  pre- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  147 

ceded  by  a  season  of  darkness.  The  years  1805,  1806,  and  1807 
were  years  of  trial  and  discouragement,  but  the  cloud  passed,  and 
one  hundred  and  twenty -three  were  added  to  the  church.  Painful 
disciplinary  action  preceded  the  revivals  of  1811  and  1817,  when 
more  than  a  hundred  were  added;  and  the  same  fact  is  true  of 
other  later  revivals. 

In  1811,  the  church  began  to  plan  for  the  erection  of  a  meeting- 
house, but  there  were  three  eligible  sites  proposed,  the  people 
divided  into  factions  over  these,  and  the  meeting-house  was  not 
built  till  1817,  and  the  ill  feeling  engendered  over  the  enterprise 
was  long  in  healing. 

The  church  was  almost  unanimous  in  its  positive  opposition 
to  the  principles  of  Freemasonry,  and  a  violent  excitement  was 
aroused,  about  1828,  over  the  fact  that  a  member  of  a  lodge  had 
gained  church  membership,  notwithstanding  the  moderator's 
cautious  call,  "if  anyone  has  anything  against  the  candidate  let 
him  manifest  it  now  or  forever  keep  silent  in  relation  to  it."  The 
outcome  was  that  all  Masons  left  the  church  of  their  own  accord  or 
were  compelled  to  leave. 

The  Advent  excitement  in  this  church  was  equally  fierce. 
Mr.  Miller  lectured  in  the  place  and  won  followers,  who  became 
schismatics,  and  after  patient  labor  twenty-seven  were  excluded 
in  1827.     These  trials  retarded  the  growth  of  the  church. 

In  1816,  its  membership  was  reported  as  sixty-six.  Abel 
Woods  was  then  pastor.  The  next  year,  under  phenomenal 
spiritual  influence,  it  sprung  to  one  hundred  and  seventy-four. 
The  years  following  were  comparatively  barren,  till  1826,  when 
fourteen  were  added.  This  hardly  checked  the  decline  till  1831, 
when  four  successive  revival  years  brought  the  membership  to 
one  hundred  and  eighty-seven,  its  highest  mark.  In  the  years 
1842,  1850  and  1851  there  were  additions,  but  the  decline  con- 
tinued till  the  unhappy  year  1856,  when  thirty-four  were  dismissed, 
and  the  membership  became  sixty.  Since  then  the  number  of 
members  has  fluctuated  between  fifty  and  eighty.  During  the 
last  five  years  the  tide  of  prosperity  and  power  has  been  on  the 
rise  and  the  total  membership,  in  1912,  was  eighty-five. 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

During  the  first  fifty-seven  years  of  its  history  this  church  had 
been  served  by  twenty  ministers,  the  pastorates  averaging  less 
than  two  years  each.  The  names  of  these  pastors  John  Rogers, 
John  Hayward,  Nathaniel  Kendrick,  E.  Starkweather,  Abel  Woods, 
John  S.  Carter,  Seth  Ewers,  Aristarchus  Willey,  L.  Austin,  Alanson 
Covell,  Elias  Hurlbut,  Wm.  Stoors,  Burton  Carpenter,  H.  F. 
Davis,  Robert  Bryant,  Israel  Keach,  C.  E.  Miles,  M.  D.  Miller, 
P.  C.  Himes,  J.  Q.  U.  A.  Ware. 

Since  1867,  there  have  been  at  least  twelve  pastors:  E.  Good- 
speed,  E.  D.  Craft,  L.  Wheelock,  R.  Nott,  E.  Bullard,  now 
missionary  in  India,  T.  H.  Archibald,  T.  F.  Ogden,  John  Pearson, 
Guy  C.  Lamson,  H.  H.  White,  G.  L.  Powell  and  C.  T.  Reekie. 

Whiting 

The  W^hiting  Baptist  church  was  constituted  of  members  of 
the  church  in  Orwell,  and  accordingly  traces  its  origin  under  God 
to  those  two  well-known  servants  of  God,  Ephraim  Sawyer  and 
Henry  Chamberlain,  who  carried  their  Bibles  with  them  to  their 
work  as  constantly  as  they  did  their  axes,  read  and  chopped  alter- 
nately, and  spent  time  in  meditation  and  prayer  as  far  as  practic- 
able. Often  an  hour  or  two  before  sunset  they  met  the  people, 
during  the  summer  and  autumn  seasons,  for  religious  services,  and 
out  of  these  came  the  churches.  The  Whiting  church  was  set  off 
and  recognized  February'  25, 1799,  with  ten  members:  Ezra  Allen, 
Josiah  Stone,  Ashael  Fields,  Elisha  Fields,  Thomas  McNeil,  Elijah 
Kirkham,  Jr.,  Joanna  Wiswell,  Sarah  Stone,  Rachel  Beach,  Sarah 
Ketcham.  The  first  settled  pastor  was  David  Rathbun,  whose 
pastorate  began  April  26, 1799.  October  4, 1799,  the  church  voted 
to  bear  Elder  Rathbun's  extra  expense  for  liquor  for  himself  and 
family,  and  to  have  it  averaged  on  the  members  of  the  church. 
What  other  provision  was  made  for  the  supply  of  his  needs  and 
comfort  we  do  not  know.  This  record  is  well  worth  preserving 
as  a  help  in  noting  the  progress  in  moral  reform,  specially  in  the 
temperance  movement. 

In  the  first  sixty  years  of  its  history  the  church  had  the  follow- 
ing  named    pastors:    David    Rathbun,    Samuel    Churchill,    John 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VEKMONT  149 

Stearns,  I.  W.  Sawj^er,  Isaac  Wescott,  W.  G.  Johnson,  Volney 
Clark,  Barna  Allen  and  Stephen  Wright;  nine  in  number. 

Up  to  1858,  the  greatest  number  of  members  in  the  church  at 
any  one  time  was  in  1840,  when  it  numbered  one  hundred  and 
.  twenty-five.  The  greatest  number  added  by  baptism,  in  any  one 
year,  was  twenty-six,  in  1836.  There  had  been  eleven  revivals, 
averaging  one  in  every  five  years.  There  had  been  added  to  the 
church  up  to  that  time  by  baptism,  two  hundred  and  twenty-four; 
by  letter  eighty-four;  exclusions  had  been  twenty-eight;  dropped, 
three;  died,  forty-eight.  The  total  membership  was  forty-eight. 
J.  Q.  A.  Ware  was  pastor  from  1859  to  1864,  R.  L.  Smith  from 
1866  to  1878,  the  membership  averaging  about  sixty  during  this 
period.  During  the  last  two  decades  of  the  nineteenth  century, 
W.  H.  Mawhew,  Jos.  Freeman,  G.  C.  Shirk  and  R.  L.  Verry  served 
short  pastorates,  and  L.  Kenney  one  of  seven  years.  J.  W^  Ilsley 
followed  with  a  two  years'  pastorate;  H.  H.  White,  three.  T.  A. 
Howard  became  pastor  in  1903.  The  State  Convention  has 
generously  assisted  in  maintaining  the  church.  In  1911,  the 
Baptist  church  federated  with  the  Congregational  church,  with  T. 
A.  Howard  as  pastor,  the  services  being  held  six  months  in  one 
meeting-house,  and  six  months  in  the  other.  The  membership 
reported  in  1912  was  twenty-eight. 

Waltham 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Waltham  at  a  sch.oolhouse 
in  the  west  district  May  7,  1802,  and  recognised  by  a  council, 
March  10,  1803;  ordained  Jesse  Smith  its  first  pastor,  June  30, 
1803,  and  dismissed  him  to  another  church  the  following  December. 
Elder  Samuel  Rogers  followed,  1804,  and  remained  till  March, 
1806.  Elder  John  Howard  then  commenced  a  pastorate  of 
eleven  years,  which  proved  to  the  church  years  of  blessing. 
June  27,  1827,  Elias  Hurlbut,  a  licentiate  of  the  church,  was  or- 
dained pastor  and  labored  six  years  with  good  success.  Elder  J. 
K.  Wright  was  pastor  from  January,  1831,  to  January,  1839,  much 
to  the  prosperity  and  satisfaction  of  the  church.  Elder  Increase 
Jones  followed  him  with  a  four  years'  pastorate,  at  the  close  of 


150  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

which  he  went  out  with  a  number  of  the  members  to  join  the 
Adventists.  Ira  Bently  was  ordained  pastor,  August  12,  1843, 
but  continued  only  a  short  time.  S.  P.  Warren,  a  licentiate,  was 
ordained  March  23,  1848,  and  he  too  made  but  a  brief  stay.  E. 
W.  Allen  began  leadership  in  1858. 

The  Advent  exciteijient  greatlj^  reduced  the  ranks  of  the 
church,  and,  in  1860,  there  were  but  four  men  and  fifteen  women 
members. 

The  name  of  the  church  was  changed  by  vote  of  the  church, 
Sej)tember  17,  1817,  to  The  New  Haven  and  Weybridge  church. 
The  church  became  extinct  in  1876. 

Rupert 

Elder  Warren,  of  Salem,  labored  here  one-fourth  of  the  time 
from  1794  to  1797,  and  other  ministers  occasionally.  A  church  of 
thirty-three  members  was  organized  in  1803,  and  Ahan  Wales  was 
ordained  pastor.  A  very  extensive  and  powerful  revival  attended 
his  ministry,  and  a  large  number  were  added  to  the  church.  In 
1804,  the  membership  was  one  hundred  and  two.  Elder  Wales 
left  in  1809.  Rev.  Werden  P.  Reynolds  became  pastor  in  1813. 
Twenty-one  were  baptized  in  1815,  and  fifty-three  in  1817,  and 
ten  received  by  letter.  In  1818,  fifteen  new  members  were  re- 
ceived and  the  total  membership  became  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
two.  Declension  followed.  Some  of  the  members  became  Camp- 
bellites.  In  1830,  when  Elder  Wait  became  pastor,  the  cimrch 
was  reduced  to  about  thirty  members.  But  the  Spirit  was  again 
poured  oul .  In  the  spring  of  1831,  Daniel  Mattison,  a  young  man 
of  dissolute  habits  and  skeptical  opinions,  given  to  profanity  and 
intemperance,  astonished  the  church  by  telling  a  christian  experi- 
ence and  rec|uesting  baptism.  Mr.  IVIattison  convinced  the  most 
incredulous  of  his  sincerity  and  of  the  genuineness  of  his  conver- 
sion. He  manifested  much  zeal  in  religion  and  was  quite  useful. 
This  case,  as  might  be  expect e<l,  created  quite  a  sensation.  Not 
long  after,  the  church  commenced  a  protracted  meeting  which  was 
greatly  blessed.  The  power  of  God  was  manifest  in  the  conversion 
of  many.     Among  those  who  were  baptized  as  the  fruit  of  this 


HISTORY  OF    THE  BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT  151 

revival  were  Milo  Frary,  Horace  F.  Davis  and  Daniel  Mattison, 
all  of  whom  entered  the  ministry.  Daniel  Mattison  died  at  Mere- 
dith Village,  N.  H.,  after  a  brief  but  eminently  useful  ministry. 
About  this  time  Elder  E.  S.  Soulard  united  wdth  this  church.  He 
had  formerly  been  a  Methodist  preacher.  Elder  Linus  J.  Rey- 
nolds was  licensed  by  this  church  in  1825.  Elder  Wait  continued 
in  the  pastorate  four  years,  and  was  followed  by  Elder  G.  W.  Free- 
man. In  1841,  the  church  numbered  eighty-four.  The  year 
previous  it  had  taken  down  its  old  meeting-house  and  erected  a 
new  one,  on  the  same  site.  Up  to  1818,  the  church  had  been  con- 
nected with  the  Vermont  Association.  For  some  reason  its  name 
does  not  appear  again  in  the  minutes  of  that  Association.  In 
1848,  it  united  with  the  Shaftsbury  Association,  and  under  its 
name  in  the  digest  of  letters  is  this  quaint  report:  "The  church 
in  Rupert  report  themselves  to  the  Shaftsbury  Association  this 
year,  for  the  first  time.  Having  learned  the  necessities  of  this 
body,  and  having  respect  to  its  age  as  well  as  its  feebleness,  they 
have  kindly  come  to  cast  in  their  lot  with  us.  They  record,  mth 
devout  thanksgiving,  the  merciful  dealings  of  Divine  Providence 
wnth  them  during  their  history  as  a  church.  They  call  to  mind 
great  deliverances,  and  their  hopes  are  enkindled  when  they  think 
of  all  God  has  done  for  them.  Their  congregation  on  the  Sabbath 
is  full.  Instead  of  a  Sabbath  school  they  have  an  exercise  in  Bible 
study  on  Sabbath  evening,  which  most  of  the  congregation  join. 
They  say  'our  sympathies  are  with  the  various  objects  of  benevol- 
ence sustained  by  the  denominations.'  " 

The  next  year  (1849),  Elder  A.  Harvey  had  resigned,  and 
Rev.  N.  Combs  was  preaching  for  them.  The  Association  met 
with  them  that  year.  In  1850,  they  were  \Adthout  a  pastor  and, 
owing  to  the  sparseness  of  the  population,  they  were  having 
difficulty  in  sustaining  the  Sunday  school.  They  assembled 
regularly  to  read  the  Scriptures,  and  to  exhort  and  pray.  In  1850, 
they  were  still  destitute  of  a  pastor,  and  sent  only  a  verbal  report 
to  the  Association;  the  membership  was  seventy-eight.  This  was 
the  last  report  given  to  the  Association.  The  church  doubtless 
became  extinct  not  long  afterwards. 


152  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Bridport 

On  March  8,  1804,  four  brethren  and  four  sisters,  who  had 
lately  been  baptized,  entered  into  covenant  to  maintain  the 
forms  and  obligations  of  a  distinct  church,  and  were  duly 
recognized  as  the  Baptist  church  in  Bridport.  The  revival 
of  which  this  was  one  of  the  fruits,  was  due  to  the  preaching 
of  Elders  Samuel  Rogers,  Henry  Chamberlain,  Abel  Woods  and 
other  ministers,  who  visited  and  labored  with  this  people.  At  the 
first  meeting  of  the  church  twenty-two  Baptists,  resident  in  the 
vicinity,  united  with  them  by  letter,  and  Cabell  Smith  was  chosen 
clerk.  A  meeting-house  was  soon  erected  of  which  the  Congrega- 
tionalists  owned  one-third  and  the  Baptists  two-thirds.  Elder 
Chamberlain  was  chosen  pastor  in  1806,  and  continued  to  serve 
till  1812,  when  Elder  Elisha  Starkweather  took  up  the  work  and 
served  four  years.  At  this  time  a  parsonage  and  farm  was  pur- 
chased, which  the  minister  was  to  own  if  he  occupied  it,  and 
applied  in  payment  all  of  his  salary  for  a  certain  time.  Embar- 
rassed by  this  property,  the  prospects  of  the  church  for  a  time 
declined  and  it  had  but  occasional  preaching  by  Elder  Chamberlain. 
In  1815,  a  Baptist  Female  Society  was  organized  with  thirty -three 
members.  In  1820,  the  church  united  with  the  Methodists  in 
erecting  a  meeting-house  at  the  village  for  the  accommodation  of 
members  of  the  church  in  Addison  and  Cornwall  living  near,  who 
would  bear  most  of  the  expense  and  bring  large  accessions  of 
strength.  About  this  time.  Elder  Ravlin  and  Elder  Ephraim 
Sawyer  supplied  alternately. 

In  1821,  there  was  a  general  awakening,  and  forty  were  added 
to  the  church.  Jonathan  Merriam  was  next  pastor,  ordained 
January  29,  1825.  Mr.  Merriam's  work  was  distinctively  educa- 
tional. He  believed,  to  use  his  own  terms,  "that  mental  and  moral 
cultivation  must  go  hand  in  hand  if  we  are  to  raise  up  an  intelligent, 
consistent  and  active  race  of  christians."  By  his  efforts  a  Sunday 
school  and  Bible  class  was  organized,  the  first  in  the  town,  and  to 
this  work  he  gave  special  attention  with  marked  success.  In  the 
winter  of  1829,  under  very  deep  convictions  as  to  his  responsibility 
for  souls,  Mr.  Merriam  gave  himself  to  prayer  and  labor  to  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  153 

limit  of  his  strength,  and  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  church 
quickened  and  some  fifty  converted,  of  whom  twenty-eight  were 
baptized.  The  Masonic  excitement,  which  was  intense  at  that 
time,  limited  the  extent  of  this  revival.  Mr.  Merriam,  with  the^ 
consent  of  the  church,  traveled  extensively  in  1831,  as  the  Mission- 
ary agent  of  the  American  Sunday  School  Union,  but  resumed  his 
church  work  in  December,  after  a  somewhat  protracted  sickness. 

A  protracted  meeting  was  held  in  the  fall  of  1831,  and  resulted 
in  a  general  revival.  Mr.  Merriam  baptized  sixty  converts.  In 
seven  years  he  baptized  one  hundred  and  twelve,  and  had  the  joy 
of  seeing  the  church  walking  in  harmony,  growing  in  intelligence 
and  christian  philanthropy,  and  warmly  supporting  the  prmciple 
of  temperance  in  the  infancy  of  its  mission  in  the  State. 

In  1833,  he  removed,  and  his  place  was  supplied  by  Elders 
Kimball,  Fletcher,  Green  and  Harvey  successively.  Meanwhile  an 
active  emigration  reduced  the  church  to  forty -four  members,  and 
proportionably  lessened  the  size  of  the  congregation  and  of  the 
Sunday  school. 

In  1837,  Elder  E.  D.  Towns  was  ordained,  and  labored  for  a 
time  with  some  success.  About  1849,  the  prospects  of  the  church 
appeared  so  dark  that  several  meetings  were  held  in  which  the 
wisdom  of  disbanding  was  considered.  The  final  result  of  these 
prayerful  inquiries  was  a  unanimous  resolve,  "that  we  would  re- 
main aboard  Zion's  ship  and  try  to  keep  her  planks  together  in  this 
place  a  few  years  longer,  until  we  were  borne  over  the  billows  and 
anchored  safely  in  the  port  of  eternal  rest. "  About  this  time 
Elder  J.  K.  Wright  visited  Bridport,  and  supplied  the  church  half 
the  time.  They  united  in  building  a  house  of  worship  on  the 
original  site  in  the  westerly  part  of  the  town.  The  membership 
at  that  time  numbered  sixty-two.  The  little  church  continued  its 
walk  some  tw^enty  years  after  its  decision  to  keep  together.  Elder 
Wright  served  them  eight  years;  C.  R.  Green,  four;  W.  H.Blais- 
dell,  three.  Covenant  and  prayer  meetings  were  sustained,  often 
when  there  was  no  preaching.  Two  places  of  worship  were  kept 
up  at  times,  but  following  the  pastorate  of  Elder  Blaisdell  the 
church  ceased  sending  reports  to  the  Association,  and  about  1875, 
became  extinct. 


154  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Charlotte 

This  church  was  organized  in  a  pri^•ate  house  in  Charlotte, 
May  6,  1807.  It  consisted  of  nineteen  members,  who  were  dis- 
missed from  the  church  in  Monkton  for  this  purpose.  During 
the  same  season  nineteen  more  were  added  by  baptism  and  letter. 
In  October,  this  church  united  with  the  Vermont  Association  con- 
vened in  Bridport.  Its  first  deacon  was  S.  Gibbs;  clerk,  U.  Palmer. 
Of  its  subsequent  history,  little  is  available  more  than  the  annals 
of  its  pastorates  and  a  few  items  connected  with  them.  Elder  N. 
Dana  was  settled  in  1808,  and  served  two  years.  In  1810,  Elisha 
Starkweather  was  ordained  and  remained  several  years.  In  1817, 
John  Howard  was  settled  as  pastor,  when  a  brighter  day  began  to 
dawn  after  seven  years  of  trials,  in  which  her  membership  dimin- 
ished nearly  one-half.  Artemas  Arnold  officiated  from  1821  to 
1823.  About  this  time  Elder  J.  A.  Dodge  commenced  labor  with 
the  church  and  continued  with  them  for  many  years,  when  not  other- 
wise supplied.  In  1825,  A.  Covil  was  licensed  to  preach.  In  1826, 
thirteen  were  added  by  baptism;  among  the  number  was  Amos 
Clark,  who  afterward  served  the  church  as  deacon.  In  1828, 
Brother  D.  Tucker  was  chosen  deacon.  In  1831,  Elder  E.  Mott 
accepted  the  pastorate  and  a  revival  season  followed.  In  1834, 
the  church  united  with  the  Addison  Association.  In  1836,  M.  D. 
Miller  preached  half  the  time,  and  thirty-six  were  added  to  the 
church.  Amos  Clark  was  ordained  as  deacon,  also  Milo  Fuller, 
from  the  church  in  Keeseville,  was  received  and  appointed  deacon. 
M.  Flint  was  pastor  from  1837  to  1841. 

Charles  Fuller  was  licensed  in  1838.  Elder  J.  Tenbroek  began 
a  very  ])rosperous  pastorate  in  1841,  continuing  till  1845,  during 
which  time  forty  were  added  by  baptism,  and  others  by  letter, 
bringing  the  membership  to  seventy-six.  J.  M.  Driver  succeeded 
him,  serving  till  1850;  Lyman  Smith,  1850-1854;  E.  W.  Allen,  1856; 
J.  A.  Dodge,  1860;  G.  W.  Bixby,  1861;  L.  Smith,  1862-1865;  S. 
F.  Dean,  1867-1868;  A.  Jones,  1869-1872;  H.  D.  Hodge,  1873- 
1876;  I.  Saw^^er,  1877-1878;  C.  A.  Votey,  1879-1881;  R.  Nott, 
1884-1886;  J.  Freeman,  1888-1889;  A.  H.  Murray,  1890-1893;  H. 


Ilsley  Memorial  Baptist  Church 

A  gift  to  the  Middlebury  Baptist  Church  from  Col.  and  Mrs. 
Sihis  A.  Ilsley,  in  memory  of  his  father.  Rev.  Silas  Ilsley. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  155 

T.  Slocum,  S.  H.  Carr,  1898-1905;  T.  R.  Edwards,  1906;  Thomas 
Davison,  1907-1911.     Membership  in  1912,  thirty-seven. 

MiDDLEBURY 

The  pioneer  Middlebury  church  was  organized  in  the  court 
house,  December  18,  1809.  The  churches  represented  in  the 
council  were  Cornwall,  New  Haven,  Shoreham  and  Monkton. 
The  pastors:  Henry  Green,  Lemuel  Phelps,  Abel  Woods  and  Isaac 
Sawyer. 

Elder  Nathaniel  Kendrick  became  their  pastor,  continuing  in 
that  relation  from  December,  1810,  tillJune,  1817.  He  enjoyed  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  the  community  in  a  great  degree,  and 
during  the  sev^en  and  a  half  years  of  his  pastorate  over  ninety 
members  were  added  to  the  church.  But  difficulties  arose  which 
seemed  to  hinder  his  usefulness,  and  he  removed  from  Middlebury, 
greatly  to  the  loss  of  the  church.  Elder  Isaac  Bucklin  succeeded 
him,  but  found  it  impossible  to  smooth  perfectly  the  path  of  the 
brethren  and  sisters.  Elder  Henry  Green  took  great  interest  in 
the  church,  and  occasionally  went  from  Cornwall  to  help  them  in 
their  destitution. 

In  October,  1826,  the  church  became  discouraged,  and  called 
a  council  of  sister  churches  to  consider  the  propriety  of  disbaad- 
ing.  The  council  met  in  the  old  Episcopal  church.  Elder  Henry 
Green  questioned  each  member  separately,  respecting  religious 
feeling,  daily  walk,  prayer  and  so  forth.  Of  the  five  ministers 
composing  the  council,  three  favored  disbanding  the  church,  and 
two,  Elders  Green  and  Elias  Hurlbut,  opposed  it.  Elder  Green 
pithily  remarked  that  he  believed  that  the  child  was  alive,  and  he 
was  opposed  to  burying  it  before  it  was  dead;  and  he  thanked  God 
that  there  was  one  brother  who  thought  with  him.  He  said,  "I 
feel  that  there  is  life  in  the  church,  and  we  ought  to  nourish  it. " 
Elder  Hurlbut  carried  the  case  of  the  church  to  the  Convention; 
assistance  was  obtained,  and  Elder  Haff  was  settled  as  pastor. 
The  church  revived  courage,  several  were  added,  and  a  general 
appearance  of  prosperity  was  manifested. 

It  reported  a  membership  of  ninety  in  1843,  but  from  that 
time  it  declined,  till  in  1852,  it  became  extinct. 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  1879,  thirty  Baptists  in  Middlebury  were  organized  into  the 
present  Middlebury  church.  Rev.  Charles  Hibbard  was  secured 
as  pastor.  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald  became  deeply  interested  in  the 
enterprise  of  re-establishing  Baptist  interests  in  Middlebury.  For 
many  years  the  State  Convention  made  liberal  appropriations  for 
its  support.  But  the  Baptist  church  seemed  overshadowed  by 
other  churches^  and  its  growth  and  prosperity  retarded  by  many 
apparently  insuperable  difficulties.  Serious  doubts  were  some- 
times entertained  as  to  whether  further  expenditure  of  Convention 
funds  on  this  field  were  wise.  But  whenever  the  question  of 
abandoning  the  church  was  seriously  considered  there  were  always 
some  who.  like  good  old  Henry  Green,  saw  signs  of  life  in  the  child 
and  were  not  willing  to  bury  it  before  it  was  dead. 

During  Mr.  Hibbard's  pastorate,  of  about  four  years,  a  par- 
sonage was  secured  and  paid  for,  and  a  new  church  edifice  erected, 
and  the  church  started  on  a  hopeful  career.  In  1884,  Rev.  A.  DeF. 
Palmer  was  secured  as  pastor.  Two  years  later  came  a  revival 
and  ten  were  added  by  baptism,  three  by  letter  and  two  by  restora- 
tion, and  the  membership  became  fifty-seven.  Mr.  Palmer  was 
succeeded,  in  1889,  by  Rev.  A.  A.  Cambridge,  who  remained  three 
years,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  T.  G.  Lyon.  During  this  pastorate, 
a  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  of  thirty-eight 
members  was  formed,  and  a  Junior  Society  of  twenty  members, 
greatly  increasing  interest  in  the  church.  Mr.  Lyon  resigned  in 
September,  1894,  and  was  followedbyRev.D.  W.  Lyman,  in  1896. 
Mr.  Lyman  resigned  in  May,  1897,  and  Mr.  A.  B.  Potter  was  or- 
dained pastor  in  September,  1897.  The  years  1899  and  1900  were 
saddened  by  the  death  of  the  senior  deacon,  and  the  serious  illness 
of  the  other  deacon,  and  by  the  death  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  T.  H.  Archi- 
bald, who  had  for  many  years  been  deeply  interested  in  the  welfare 
of  the  church.  Rev.  E.  O.  Taylor  was  pastor  from  1901  till  1905, 
when  Rev.  Geo.  R.  Stair  was  secured  by  the  special  efforts  of 
Superintendent  W.  A.  Davison.  The  church  entered  upon  a  re- 
markable period  of  progress.  The  attendance  upon  congregations 
greatly  increased;  the  Sunday  evening  congregations  numbered 
two  hundred.  The  prayer  meetings  became  deeply  spiritual. 
The  Lord  put  it  into  the  heart  of  Col.  Silas  A.  Hsley  to  befriend 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  157 

the  church.  By  his  generosity  the  floating  debt  was  cancelled;  a 
thousand  dollars  given  as  an  endowment;  a  Brussels  carpet  obtained; 
a  parsonage  given  the  church,  valued  at  six  thousand  dollars; 
new  hymnals  furnished  the  church;  and  the  pastor's  salary  in- 
creased from  six  hundred  to  one  thousand  dollars.  Eighteen  were 
added  to  the  membership  by  baptism,  and  the  next  year  thirteen 
more  by  baptism  and  otherwise,  raising  the  membership  to  seventy- 
one.  The  prospects  of  the  church  were  so  encouraging,  and  Col. 
Ilsley's  heart  so  moved,  that  he  built  a  costly  and  attractive  marble 
church  edifice,  on  one  of  the  most  eligible  sites  in  the  place,  as  a 
memorial  to  his  father,  Rev.  Silas  Esley.  All  this  was  done  abso- 
lutely unsolicited.  Mr.  Stair's  pastorate  continued  prosperous. 
In  1907,  he  was  assisted  by  Evangelist  Hafer,  and  as  a  result  of 
special  effort,  thirty -three  were  received  by  baptism,  the  member- 
ship becoming  one  hundred  and  six.  In  1909,  twenty-five  per  cent 
of  the  membership  were  heads  of  families.  Mr.  Stair  became 
deeply  interested  in  the  Chapman-Alexander  evangelistic  services 
of  1809,  and  resigned  to  enter  evangelistic  work.  Rev.  A.  E. 
Harriman  was  secured  as  his  successor.  Twenty-seven  were 
added  to  the  church  that  year.  In  1910,  the  State  Convention  was 
entertained  by  the  Middlebury  church  and  had  the  delightful 
evidence  of  answers  to  the  prayers  of  the  faithful,  and  the  satis- 
faction of  knowing  that  the  expenditure,  through  a  series  of  years, 
of  about  ten  thousand  dollars  on  this  field,  had  not  been  in  vain. 
It  was  well  that  it  did  not  become  weary  in  this  well  doing. 

Mr.  Harriman  was  succeeded,  in  1910,  by  Rev.  R.  B.  Esten. 

The  Middlebury  church  reported  in  1912,  a  total  membership 
of  one  hundred  and  twenty-three;  resident  members,  eighty-four. 
Home  expenses  three  thousand,  four  hundred  dollars.  Contribu- 
tions, three  hundred  and  thirty-nine  dollars.  Sunday  school, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-two  members.  Church  property,  sixty- 
nine  thousand  dollars. 

Ferrisburg 

A  council  met  November  13,  1816,  at  the  house  of  Ashbell 
Fuller  in   Ferrisburg,  to  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of 


158  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

organizing  into  a  Gospel  church  a  small  band  of  believers,  consist- 
ing of  Brother  J.  P.  Hyde,  formerly  member  of  the  Essex  and 
Jericho  church,  at  whose  recjuest  the  council  was  called,  with  several 
others.  On  examination  it  was  found  that  but  four  of  the  appli- 
cants for  a  council  were  members  of  other  churches,  the  others  were 
recent  converts,  the  fruit  of  the  occasional  labors  of  Elders  Cham- 
berlain, Howard  and  Butler.  The  council  proceeded  to  examine 
these  as  candidates  for  baptism.  Those  presenting  themselves 
were  Moses  Hinds,  William  Walker,  Ashbell  Fuller,  Jr.,  John  A. 
Dodge  and  Luther  Carpenter.  Sisters,  Betsy  Walker,  Lucy  Fuller, 
Seraih  Fuller,  Nelly  Luce.  These  nine  gave  good  evidence  of 
regeneration  and  the  council  voted  to  receive  them  after  baptism. 
They  were  accordingly  baptized  the  next  day,  and  with  J.  P.  Hyde, 
Fred  E.  Fuller,  and  sisters  Sally  Fuller  and  Eleanor  Clinton,  were 
organized  and  acknowledged  as  a  Baptist  church.  The  church 
prospered.  Before  the  close  of  the  year,  twenty -three  converts 
had  been  baptized,  and  additions  continued  at  frequent  intervals. 
In  March,  1817,  Ephraim  Butler  was  ordained  pastor,  and  a  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  secure  a  suitable  place  of  worship  near 
the  center  of  the  town.  In  1818,  many  valuable  members  took 
letters  and  removed  to  other  parts,  and  quite  a  number  became 
the  subject  of  church  censure  and  discipline. 

At  a  covenant  meeting  in  April,  it  was  voted  to  give  Brother 
J.  P.  Hyde  and  John  A.  Dodge  "liberty  to  exercise  their  gifts  in 
speaking  for  the  edification  of  the  church. "  Elder  Butler,  at  his 
own  request,  was  dismissed  March  50,  1819. 

November,  1821,  the  church  ordained  John  A.  Dodge  as 
pastor.  He  continued  in  office  till  1838.  Elder  J.  H.  Wright  suc- 
ceeded him.  In  June,  1841,  the  church,  having  secured  an  inter- 
est in  the  brick  meeting-house  at  Ferrisburg  Center,  discontinued 
worship  in  the  schoolhouse  near  James  Hodge's  and  to  the  end  of 
their  existence  as  a  church  assembled  in  this  place. 

In  August,  1841,  Theodore  Lyman  was  elected  the  last  clerk. 
Under  the  occasional  labor  of  Elder  Wright,  the  little  band  con- 
tinued to  struggle  on  against  fluctuating  influences  incident  to 
time,  until  the  work  of  emigration  and  death  had  so  diminished 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  159 

their  number  that,  in  1854,  their  existence  as  a  church  ceased.  Their 
aggregate  membership  during  a  period  of  twenty-nine  years  was 
one  hundred  and  nineteen,  of  which  the  greater  part  miited  by 
baptism. 


Col.  Silas  A.  Ilsley 

Vice  President  of  Convention  Board 


Chapter  X 
REVIVALS 

The  early  history  of  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  is  marked  by 
many  "seasons  of  refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord,"  by 
which  christians  were  encouraged,  and  souls  in  large  numbers  "were 
added  to  the  Lord."  It  has  been  truthfully  said  of  our  early 
ministers,  "They  went  up  and  down  our  rivers  and  streams  among 
the  new  settlements  and  small  hamlets  and  had  wonderful  success. 
To  follow  them  in  their  letters  is  like  breathing  the  balm  of  the 
primeval  forests  through  which  they  used  to  travel.  There  is  an 
atmosphere  of  Apostolic  piety  and  zeal  about  them.  They  endured 
labors  and  encountered  difficulties  hardly  less  than  those  which 
Judson  and  his  companions  overcame.  The  evangelization  of 
Vermont  is  due  to  a  consecration,  and  a  missionary  spirit  identical 
in  kind  and  equal  in  enthusiasm  to  that  which  sent  Judson  to 
Burma." 

In  the  year  1799,  there  was  a  very  remarkable  manifestation 
of  renewing  grace  in  the  south  western  portion  of  this  State.  Of 
this,  Rev.  Caleb  Blood,  of  Shaftsbury,  gives  an  account  in  Backus' 
Church  History  of  New  England. 

In  the  early  part  of  1798,  Mr.  Blood  was  greatly  affected 
by  the  low  state  of  religion  among  the  people  and  began  to  pray 
earnestly  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  and  the  salvation  of 
souls.  Soon  was  manifest  an  abundant  answer  to  prayer.  One 
was  baptized  in  July,  four  in  August,  and  seventeen  in  September. 
The  good  work  went  forward  in  power,  -^nd  on  February  21, 1799, 
he  had  baptized  one  hundred  and  fifty  since  the  preceding  May. 
The  work  was  not  confined  to  one  church.  All  the  churches  in 
Shaftsbury  were  refreshed.  In  about  two  months  after  the  work 
began  the  whole  town  was  greatly  revived.  The  churches  in 
Shaftsbury  had  not  been  in  the  most  cordial  fellowship,  but  their 


162  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

differences  were  removed.  They  met  together  at  the  communion 
table  in  cordial  fellowship.  Seventy  were  added  to  the  West 
church  and  thirteen  to  the  East  church.  When  one  remembers 
the  scanty  population  of  the  town  at  this  time,  this  number  of 
conversions  must  be  regarded  as  a  most  remarkable  exhibition  of 
saving  grace. 

In  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  missionary  magazine  of  May, 
1804,  Rev.  Sylvarms  Haynes  gives  an  account  of  a  remarkable 
revival  in  Middletown.  During  several  years  there  had  been  a 
remarkable  spread  of  error  and  infidelity.  Unusual  stupidity  and 
contempt  of  religion  prevailed,  and  even  professed  christians  had 
become  uncommonly  dull  and  inactive.  The  churches,  too,  were 
wading  through  scenes  of  sorrowful  trials,  and  everything  looked 
dark  and  discouraging.  In  the  spring  and  summer  of  1800,  a  spirit 
of  prayer  was  awakened.  Mr.  Haynes  speaks  of  his  own  intense 
anxiety  and  burden  for  souls,  and  of  his  special  engagedness  in 
preaching  the  acceptable  year  of  the  Lord. 

In  the  spring,  an  aged  woman  in  the  west  part  of  the  town 
was  taken  sick,  whose  remarkable  exercises  of  mind,  conversation, 
and  death  (which  was  in  August  following),  deeply  and  lastingly 
impressed  some  of  her  grandchildren  and  their  discourse  had 
effect  on  other  youth.  By  this  time  some  christians  began  to  be 
aroused,  and  about  the  last  of  October  some  conferences  were 
attended.  In  November,  the  conferences  were  frequent  and  began 
to  be  crowded.  In  December,  the  work  continued  to  spread. 
Some  opposed  and  blasphemed  and  ridiculed  the  work.  On 
Thanksgiving  evening,  December  5,  a  great  uproar  was  made  in 
the  town,  and  many  were  baptized  in  a  way  of  solemn  mockery; 
but  christians  prayed,  and  the  Lord  WTought  in  such  a  manner 
that  in  a  short  time  the  work  spread  into  almost  every  part  of  the 
town,  and  seemed  to  bear  down  all  opposition  before  it.  Gaming 
tables  and  ball  chambers  were  greatly  deserted;  while  conferences, 
lectures,  and  Lord's  Day  meetings  were  thronged.  In  the  con- 
ferences all  ages  and  sexes,  down  to  little  children,  used  greatest 
freedom  in  expressing  their  views  and  feelings.  Although  the  work 
was  so  powerful,  yet  it  was  remarkable  for  its  regularity.  There 
was  no  confusion  in  the  meetings,  and  scarcely  the  least  degree  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  163 

disorder  in  the  whole  work.  The  greater  part  of  those  who  spoke 
in  conferences,  talked  as  candidly  as  though  they  were  under  oath, 
and  people  had  to  be  perfectly  still  to  hear  them.  About  the  last 
of  November,  1800,  they  began  to  come  forward  for  baptism  and 
church  membership.  The  severity  of  weather  was  no  impediment 
to  the  ordinance.  The  church,  which  numbered  fifty -two  members 
when  the  work  began,  numbered  one  hundred  and  fifty-six  before  a 
year  had  passed.  Forty-one  of  these  were  young,  unmarried 
persons.  About  twenty -eight  were  under  the  age  of  twenty, 
and  three  under  ten. 

When  the  pastor  saw  so  many  of  the  youth  coming  forward 
to  the  church,  his  anxiety  and  fear  lest  they  should  turn  again  to 
folly  almost  bereft  him  of  the  comfort  he  might  otherwise  have 
had,  but  they  persevered  better  than  his  fears,  and  none  did  better 
than  the  little  children. 

The  work  beginning  in  Middletown  spread  far  and  wide.  It 
soon  reached  Poultney,  where  was  a  branch  of  the  Middletown 
church  of  fifteen  members.  Brother  Haynes  was  often  called  to 
baptize  there.  The  branch  was  set  off  as  an  independent  church; 
ordained  Clark  Kendrick  as  pastor,  and  within  two  years  about 
sixty  persons  had  been  baptized.  Dorset  and  Benson  caught  the 
flame.  At  Hartford,  about  a  hundred  persons  were  baptized,  and 
as  many  in  Queensbury,  Bennington,  Rupert,  Hebron,  Walling - 
ford  and  Clarendon,  were  also  revived. 

The  years  from  1804  to  1807  were  years  of  refreshing  in  many 
places.  The  work  of  Stephen  Choate  appears  to  have  been  specially 
blessed.  Wilmington  was  visited,  and  a  church  of  forty -two 
members  organized.  At  Winhall,  a  number  were  baptized  and 
united  with  the  church  in  Jamaica.  At  Windham,  where  there 
had  been  only  a  few  members  of  the  Jamaica,  almost  every  home 
was  visited  with  grace,  and  a  church  was  organized  in  1807,  with 
forty-three  members.  The  work  in  Windham  was  specially 
among  the  youth,  the  first  trophy  being  a  young  woman  who  had 
been  a  leader  in  vanity.  The  work  was  powerful  in  Stratton  and 
Wardsboro.  Many  children  were  hopefully  converted.  Of  twenty- 
three,  who  w  ere  baptized,  eleven  were  under  sixteen  years  of  age, 
and  one  about  nine.  These  children  held  conferences  by  them- 
selves with  regularity  and  solemnity. 


164  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  regard  to  the  work  among  the  children,  the  following  ac- 
count, given  by  Sylvanus  Haynes,  gives  us  a  glimpse  of  its  nature. 
The  incident  occurred  in  connection  with  the  remarkable  revival 
in  Middletown,  in  1800.  He  writes  in  the  missionary  magazine 
Vol.  I,  pages  52  and  53,  as  follows: 

During  the  work  narrated  above,  I  attended  a  crowded 
conference,  at  which  a  little  girl,  about  nine  years  old,  desired 
liberty  to  speak,  which  was  granted  her.  She  rose  and  stood 
upon  a  seat,  and  in  a  solemn  and  candid  manner  and  with  decent 
language,  declared  the  exercises  of  her  mind.  She  spoke  of  having 
discovered  herself  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  sinners,  and  lamented 
having  lived  in  rebellion  against  God  so  long.  She  expressed  that 
she  had  felt  herself  condemned  by  the  law  of  God,  that  the  law  of 
God,  which  condemned  her,  was  a  good  law;  and  that  her  condemna- 
tion was  just.  She  then  proceeded  to  give  a  rational  account  of 
her  entire  reliance  upon  Christ  for  salvation;  and  that  now  God's 
nature  and  perfections  appeared  glorious  to  her  soul;  and  that  she 
loved  him  above  all  other  beings  in  existence.  She  also  proceeded 
to  tell  us  what  great  delight  she  took  in  praising  God,  singing  his 
praises,  attending  worship,  conferring  with  saints,  etc.,  and  then 
closed  by  observing  that  she  took  more  comfort  in  one  hour  in 
devotional  exercises,  than  ever  she  had  before  in  all  her  life  while 
pursuing  the  ways  of  sin. 

Knowing  that  she  had  labored  under  peculiar  disadvantages, 
with  regard  to  obtaining  religious  instruction,  I  was  surprised  at 
her  conversation,  and  was  determined  to  know  whether  she  under- 
stood what  she  expressed.  I  then  turned  to  her  and  asked  as 
follows:  H — ,  said  I,  you  tell  us  about  being  so  great  a  sinner. 
What  have  you  done  that  is  so  bad?  After  a  short  pause  she 
replied:  I  do  not  know  that  my  outward  conduct  has  been  worse 
than  many  others,  but  my  heart  is  so  wicked.  Then  I  observed 
again:  You  tell  about  God's  law  being  so  good  and  just,  but  do 
you  know  the  nature  of  that  law.?  That  law  is  so  severe  that  it  will 
curse  and  condemn  a  person  forever  for  only  committing  one  sin, 
unless  he  repents  of  it  and  applies  to  Christ  for  pardon.  Now,  said 
I,  in  a  serious  tone,  would  it  not  be  better  to  have  that  law  altered  a 
little  and  not  have  it  so  severe.     She  answered:  No,  Sir,  not  at  all; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  165 

it  is  none  too  strict.  I  observed  again:  But  you  tell  us  that  you 
love  God;  and  this  God  can  thunder  when  he  pleases,  and  dash 
worlds  to  atoms  in  a  moment,  and  are  you  not  afraid  of  him.  I 
used,  said  she,  to  be  afraid  of  him  but  now  I  love  him.  I  inquired 
again:  But  do  you  know  the  nature  of  this  God?  He  is  so  holy 
that  he  does  not  allow  people  to  commit  one  sin,  and  if  they  sin 
but  once,  he  will  send  them  to  hell,  if  they  do  not  repent  and  apply 
to  Christ.  Now,  said  I,  would  it  not  be  really  better  if  God  were 
altered  a  little  so  as  not  to  be  quite  so  strict.  No,  Sir,  said  she, 
he  is  just  right,  he  is  none  too  strict.  But  there  must  be,  I  said, 
some  alteration  somewhere,  or  else  such  sinners  as  we  are  can  never 
enjoy  the  favor  of  God.  She  replied :  I  need  all  the  altering.  Then 
I  asked  her  what  she  loved  God  for.  She  answered :  because  he  is 
so  holy  and  so  just.  I  queried  again:  but  you  tell  about  going  to 
heaven  and  what  do  you  want  to  go  there  for.^  She  answered:  to 
praise  God.  But,  said  I,  what  do  you  want  to  praise  him  for?  She 
said,  because  he  is  so  holy  and  so  just.  Well,  said  I,  what  if  you 
should  go  to  heaven,  and  God  should  tell  you  that  you  might  for- 
ever enjoy  those  pearly  walls,  and  golden  streets,  and  have  the 
company  of  saints  and  angels,  and  join  and  sing  with  them  to  all 
eternity,  but  I  must  go  away  to  another  heaven,  a  great  many 
millions  of  miles  away.  Now,  said  I,  would  not  heaven  be  just  as 
good  without  God  as  with  him.?  She  paused  a  moment,  and  then 
replied :  it  would  be  no  heaven  at  all .  Not  long  after  this  she  joined 
the  church  and  has  continued  in  good  standing  ever  since. 

Sylvanus  Haynes, 
Middletown,  October  10,  1803. 

In  1817,  Rev.  Mr.  Huntington  reported  a  revival  in  Braintree, 
as  the  results  of  which  he  had  baptized  sixty-seven  between  August 
1,  1817,  and  February  2, 1818.  The  same  year  there  were  baptized 
in  Brandon,  forty-one,  and  in  Wilmington,  one  hundred  and  forty 
were  hopefully  converted.  In  May,  1816,  there  came  a  remark- 
able season  of  refreshing  to  the  churches  in  Shaftsbury.  The  work 
extended  into  the  neighboring  town  of  Greensborough,  and  forty- 
three  were  baptized.  In  1817,  the  church  in  Mount  Holly  was 
visited  and  between  fifty  and  sixty  were  baptized,  and  the  church 


166  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

there,  although  in  a  mountainous  and  purely  agricultural  to^vTi, 
was  for  some  years  the  largest  Baptist  church  in  the  State,  number- 
ing at  one  time  more  than  four  hundred  members. 

In  1817,  at  Colerain,  sixty-four  were  added  to  the  church  by 
baptism  in  three  months,  and  in  Bernardstown  about  seventy  were 
baptized.  Rev.  Clark  Kendrick,  writing  from  Poult ney  under 
date  of  November,  1817,  says:  "About  this  time  there  was  an 
occurrence,  perhaps,  worth  noticing.  In  the  centre  of  the  town, 
where  nothing  of  the  work  had  discovered  itself,  one  evening 
toward  twilight,  a  number  of  girls,  from  about  eleven  to  fourteen 
years  of  age,  were  very  merrily  at  play  on  the  broad  steps  of  the 
Baptist  meeting-house,  and  of  a  sudden,  without  any  visible  cause, 
they  were  struck  with  solemn  awe,  and  retired  with  sighs  and  sobs 
to  a  house,  where  they  spent  the  evening  in  reading  the  Bible  and 
other  good  books.  Some  of  these  eventually  obtained  hope  and 
were  baptized.  This  circumstance  led  me  to  hope  that  the  Holy 
Spirit  was  mercifully  hovering  over  us. 

"In  October,  there  were  signs  of  deepening  interest,  and  before 
the  year  was  over,  I  baptized  in  this  town,  one  hundred  and  one, 
about  sixty  of  whom  were  baptized  during  the  cold  wintry  months. 
I  have  not  yet  learned  that  it  proved  prejudicial  to  the  health  of 
any  one  of  them."  (Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  Magazine, 
Vol.  1,  N.  S.  p.  305.) 

Cyrenius  Fuller  writes  of  preaching  in  Townshend  in  1817, 
when  four  children  under  ten  years  of  age,  two  of  them  under 
seven, related  the  deahngs  of  God  with  their  souls.  He  says:  "It 
is  usual  for  these  children,  with  others  of  their  age,  to  spend  their 
intermissions  at  school  as  a  prayer  meeting.  This  has  been  their 
daily  custom  for  some  time.  They  appear  as  faithful  as  any 
christians  I  ever  saw." 

This  work  became  general  and  reached  people  of  all  ages,  and 
in  a  few  months  thirty  were  baptized  in  Townshend. 

We  find  an  account  of  a  revival  in  Fairfax,  in  1816,  in  the 
missionary  magazine  for  July,  1817.  For  some  time  the  church 
had  languished,  being  torn  by  internal  dissensions,  largely  of  a 
political  nature.  Brethren  were  alienated.  A  council  was  called, 
and  much  prayer  was  offered,  not  only  in  Fairfax,  but  also  in  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  167 

churches  that  were  invited  to  the  council,  tor  divine  guidance  and 
blessing.  As  a  result  of  that  council,  divisions  were  healed,  and 
animosities  buried.  Almost  immediately  a  revival  commenced. 
The  first  appearance  of  it  was  in  a  school  of  small  children  taught 
by  a  pious  young  lady,  who,  sensible  of  the  responsibility  that 
rested  upon  her,  was  anxious  and  diligent  for  the  eternal  as  well  as 
the  temporal  welfare  of  her  pupils.  One  of  the  little  girls  had  told 
a  lie  a  year  before,  and  it  had  been  a  burden  upon  her  conscience 
ever  since.  At  last  she  confessed  it  to  her  teacher,  who  lovingly 
directed  her  to  look  to  Jesus,  who  alone  could  forgive  sin.  So  this 
little  one  was  led  to  Christ,  and  from  that  time  the  interest  spread 
among  the  pupils.  Sometimes  the  studies  had  to  be  suspended, 
so  many  were  weeping.  Two  men  passing  on  horseback,  hearing 
the  unusual  sounds  from  the  schoolhouse,  rode  up  to  an  open  vnn- 
dow,  and  inquired  the  cause.  The  teacher  explained  the  matter 
and  they  went  away  under  conviction  for  themselves. 

Brethren  of  the  church  were  sent  for  to  assist  the  young  in- 
quirers. Numbers  who  came  to  see  the  school  were  impressed  and 
soon  the  interest  became  general.  Between  seventy  and  eighty 
were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism. 

In  Rockingham,  in  1816  and  1817,  there  was  a  revival  and 
ninety-one  were  baptized  by  Rev.  Joseph  Elliott. 

In  Brandon,  about  the  same  time,  there  were  manifestations 
of  the  Spirit's  power,  forty-one  were  baptized  there. 

Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  the  time  from  1798  to  18^23  was  a 
season  of  great  refreshing,  and  of  large  additions  to  the  young  and 
feeble  churches  in  Vermont. 

The  work  in  the  years  1798  to  1824  was  a  remarkable  display 
of  God's  sovereign  grace.  It  was  the  origin  of  many  of  the 
churches  which  still  exist,  in  the  State,  and  saved  a  number  of 
others  from  becoming  extinct.  It  was  distinguished  by  the  great 
number  of  children  and  youth,  who  were  brought  to  Christ.  It  is 
sometimes  supposed  that  the  conversion  of  children  has  been  little 
expected  or  witnessed  until  Avnthin  recent  years.  This  is  not  true 
of  the  Baptist  churches  of  Vermont.  Many  of  those  who  were 
converted  in  those  early  days  were  children,  and  proved  to  be 
among  the  most  stable  and  useful  members  of  the  bodies  that 
received  them  into  membership. 


168  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  record  of  the  Baptist  ministers  in  Vermont  reveals  the 
fact  that  a  large  number  among  them  were  converted  under  twenty 
years  of  age. 

Another  thing  most  notable  in  these  revivals  is  the  depth  of 
conviction  of  sin  and  ruin,  which  characterized  the  subjects  of 
this  work,  their  deep  sense  of  the  holiness  and  the  justice  of  God, 
the  justness  of  their  condemnation  and  their  entire  reliance  upon 
the  atoning  work  of  Christ,  giving  himself  a  ransom  for  their  sins, 
for  acceptance  uath  God,  and  the  Spirit  of  God  as  the  author  of 
their  resurrection  to  newTiess  of  life.  It  was  with  them  no  simple 
resolution  to  turn  about  or  to  lead  a  new  life,  or  to  serve  God, 
but  it  was  an  earnest,  eager  crying  that- God  would  quicken  them, 
dead  in  trespasses  and  in  sins,  and  make  them  new  creatures  in 
Christ  Jesus.  Such  experience  could  only  come  from  the  clear 
preaching  of  the  enmity  of  man  to  God,  the  eternal  ruin  of  the 
persistent  sinner,  and  the  Cross  of  Christ  as  the  only  hope  of  lost 
men. 

For  about  five  years,  from  1824,  there  was  no  general  and 
widespread  revival  of  religion  among  the  churches,  but  the  years 
1830  and  1831  were  seasons  of  much  increase  to  many  churches, 
for  in  these  two  years  two  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  twenty-six 
were  added  by  baptism.  We  have  no  detailed  account  of  the 
condition  of  the  churches  in  these  years.  The  church  in  Middle- 
town  received  seventy-five  members  in  1830-1831;  the  church  in 
Ira,  nearly  one  hundred;  the  church  in  Pittsford,  sixty-four;  the 
church  in  Brandon,  a  large  number;  the  church  in  Rutland  village, 
which,  in  1833,  ten  years  after  its  organization  with  fifteen  mem- 
bers, had  come  to  number  nearly  two  hundred;  the  church  in 
Chester,  in  the  years  183''2  to  1842,  received  one  hundred,  and  ten 
to  its  membership. 

In  the  years  1831-1832,  five  hundred  and  fifty-nine  were 
baptized  in  the  Fairfield  Association. 

The  year  1843  was  also  a  year  of  large  ingathering,  twelve 
hundred  and  fifty-five  being  received  by  baptism,  and  thirty-one 
hundred  and  ninety-two  in  the  time  between  1841  and  1850. 

Concerning  the  genuineness  of  these  conversions.  Dr.  T.  H. 
Archibald  remarks : 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  169 

"We  think  Rev.  Mr.  Hibbard,  in  his  historical  address  in 
1875,  is  mistaken  when  he  says  that  these  additions  were  largely 
spurious  conversions.  He  appeals  for  proof  of  this  to  the  fact 
that  the  decrease  in  total  membership,  in  1844,  was  eight  hundred 
and  fourteen.  But  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  that  this  decrease 
was  almost  exclusively  owing  to  doctrinal  divisions,  particularly 
in  regard  to  the  second  coming  of  Christ;  and  while  the  divisions 
and  contentions  of  that  period  were  deplorable,  they  did  not 
involve  an  impeachment  of  the  christian  character  of  those  who 
withdrew  or  were  excluded  from  the  churches.  In  the  excitement 
which  prevailed,  and  the  inflamed  dissensions  which  existed, 
many  improper  views  were  doubtless  entertained,  and  many 
harsh  sayings  concerning  churches  and  ministers  were  written,  but 
still,  we  believe  that  the  great  body  of  those  who  left  the  churches 
were  real  but  mistaken  disciples  of  Christ." 

The  year  1866,  and  a  few  years  succeeding  it,  were  seasons  of 
spiritual  refreshing  to  many  of  the  churches  in  Vermont.  In  that 
year,  a  meeting  under  the  leadership  of  A.  B.  Earle,  was  held  in 
Burlington  to  which  the  churches  in  the  State  were  invited,  and 
which  was  largely  attended.  The  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was 
largely  manifested.  Many  hearts  which  had  long  been  cold  were 
warmed  by  divine  grace  and  many  went  home  to  pray  that  God 
would  revive  them,  that  his  people  might  be  glad  and  rejoice  in 
him.  In  the  year  1867,  many  churches  were  quickened  and  many 
brought  to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  Mr.  Earle  held  a  meeting 
for  the  Addison  County  /Association  at  Bristol,  and  one  at  Brandon, 
and  one  in  Chester.  All  these  were  largely  fruitful  in  good  results. 
Perhaps  nowhere  were  the  results  more  manifest  and  encouraging 
than  in, Addison  County.  The  digest  of  letters  for  1865  sounds 
like  a  wail  from  the  tombs.  One  church  represents  itself  as  "In 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death  with  nothing  but  thick  darkness 
around  them,  without  pastor  or  preaching,  no  prayer  meetings, 
no  Sunday  school  and  discouraged."  Another  says,  "As  a  church, 
we  still  exist  and  think  there  is  a  little  life,  a  slight  pulsation  is 
perceptible."  At  the  next  session,  there  were  some  rays  of  hope. 
In  1867,  they  assembled,  crying,  "What  hath  God  •wTought. "  Two 
or  three  churches,  which  had  long  been  without  pastors,  had  se- 


170  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

cured  able  ones.  Some  had  repaired  their  houses  of  worship  and 
received  a  few  by  baptism.  The  work  developed  in  power  at  the 
meeting  in  Bristol.  The  presence  of  the  Holy  Spirit  was  markedly 
manifest.  Christians  consecrated  themselves  afresh  to  Christ. 
Hearty  confessions  were  made  and  stumbling  blocks  were  removed. 
Soon  men  began  to  ask,  what  must  I  do  to  be  saved?  Mr.  Earle 
remained  but  three  days,  but  the  meetings  continued  for  a  month. 
Rev.  W.  L.  Palmer,  of  Cornwall,  remaining  to  assist  the  pastor. 
As  a  result,  about  one  hundred  were  converted  in  Bristol,  and  the 
work  spread  over  the  entire  county.  At  Cornwall,  the  pastor  of 
the  Bristol  church  aided  the  pastor  there  in  the  month  of  January, 
1868,  with  blessed  results,  doubling  the  number  of  the  members 
of  the  church  and  much  more  than  doubling  the  pecuniary  ability. 
Nor  was  the  work  confined  to  the  Baptist  churches  of  the  county. 
From  Bristol  the  work  spread  to  the  Congregational  church  in 
New  Haven,  as  the  result  of  which  the  pastor  received  more  than 
eighty  members  one  communion  season.  From  Cornwall  it  ex- 
tended to  Shoreham,  and  resulted  in  large  accessions  to  the  Con- 
gregational church  there.  A  revival  sprung  up  somewhat  inde- 
pendently of  the  others  in  ^Yhiting,  miderthe  labors  of  Rev.  Lyman 
Smith,  with  additions  in  considerable  numbers  to  the  church  there. 

At  the  meeting  of  the  Association  in  1868,  the  voice  of  thanks- 
giving for  a  great  deliverance  was  heard  from  places  which  had 
for  a  long  time  been  like  the  moimtains  of  Gilboa,  on  which  there 
was  neither  dew,  nor  rain,  nor  fields  of  offering.  The  effect  of  the 
work  thus  begun  continued  through  successive  years,  and  it  is  no 
exaggeration  to  say  it  saved  the  churches  of  that  Association 
from  extinction. 

Soon  after,  the  church  in  Addison  was  revived  under  the 
labors  of  Evangelist  Rev.  Edwin  Burnham,  and  a  considerable 
number  were  added  there.  Panton,  too,  was  visited  and  strength- 
ened and  the  churches  in  Vergennes  and  Middlebury  were  the 
fruit  of  the  work  begun  in  1867. 

There  is  one  respect  in  which  the  work  differs  from  the  earlier 
ones  to  which  reference  has  been  made.  Those  were  almost 
uniformly  atta'ned  through  the  co-operation  of  the  pastors  and 
members  of  the  churches,  where  they  occurred,  working  together, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  171 

without  much  of  any  help  from  vvithout  their  own  bounds.  These 
last  have  been  largely  the  result  of  the  labors  of  men  who  have 
devoted  their  lives  to  the  service  as  Evangelists.  While  we  thank 
God  for  the  salvation  of  souls  through  any  agency,  which  He 
appoints  and  uses,  it  becomes  an  important  question  for  us  to 
ponder  whether  we  have  not,  in  these  latter  days,  come  to  depend 
too  much  on  extraordinary  services,  and  ceased  to  expect  and 
pray  for  the  saving  health  to  accompany  the  ordinary  means  of 
grace. 

Let  it  not  be  supposed  that  the  seasons  to  which  we  have 
referred  are  the  only  displays  of  mercy  which  we  have  witnessed. 
There  has  been  no  year  in  our  history  when  God  has  not  mani- 
fested His  power  to  save.  Our  earnest  prayer  would  be  that  He 
would  continue  to  multiply  our  seed  sown,  and  cause  it  to  bud  and 
spring  forth  until  the  whole  land  is  covered  with  its  shadow. 


Chapter  XI 
ECCLESIASTICAL  LEGISLATION 

While  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  have  never  been  subjected  at 
any  time  in  their  history  to  the  severe  rehgious  persecutions, 
which  their  brethren,  in  some  of  the  other  states,  have  been  called 
to  endure,  yet,  at  an  early  day  they  were,  in  some  instances,  sub- 
jected to  fine  and  imprisonment  for  refuiing  to  pay  the  "church 
rates"  assessed  hy  the  several  towns  for  the  maintenance  of  reli- 
gious worship.  An  example  of  this  may  well  be  noticed.  Elisha 
Ransom,  under  date  of  March,  23,  1795,  writes  of  a  member  of 
Elder  Drew's  church,  at  Hartford,  Vt.,  who  was  sent  to  jail  for 
refusing  to  pay  the  State  church  rates,  yet  was  obliged  to  pay 
thereon.  He  contested  the  case  with  the  authorities,  at  a  cost 
of  more  than  fifty  pounds,  but  in  each  trial  the  decision  was  against 
him.  Ransom  says  that  five  petitions,  with  more  than  two 
hundred  signatures,  were  sent  to  the  Assembly  asking  for  redress. 
Then  he  adds,  "I  went  up  to  speak  for  them;  and  after  my  aver- 
ment that  the  certificate  law  was  contrary  to  the  rights  of  man, 
of  conscience,  the  first,  third  and  fourth  and  seventh  articles  of 
our  Constitution  and  to  itself,  for  it  took  away  our  rights,  and 
then  ofl^ered  to  sell  them  back  to  us  for  a  certificate,  some  stretched 
their  mouths,  and  though  no  man  contradicted  me  in  one  argu- 
ment, yet  would  they  shut  their  eyes,  and  say  they  could  not 
see  it  so.  I  had  a  great  many  friends  in  the  House,  but  not  a 
majority. " 

Probably  there  are  not  many  examples  of  this  kind  of  dealing, 
and  it  may  be  that  this  is  the  only  instance  in  Vermont  history. 

There  was  a  provision  in  the  early  legislation  of  the  State  by 
which  a  certain  section  of  land  in  each  to^^vTi  was  to  become  the 
property  of  the  first  settled  minister  in  town.  Under  this  act,  a 
few  Baptist  ministers  in  the  State  became  landed  proprietors. 
In  1818,  an  act  was  passed  of  which  the  follo-^-ing  is  a  copy: 


174  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

"That  the  selectmen  of  the  several  towns  in  this  State  be 
and  are  hereby  authorized  to  take  care  of  and  lease  out  all  the 
lands  in  their  respective  to-mis  granted  to  the  use  of  the  ministry, 
for  the  social  worship  of  God,  and  still  remaining  to  such  use;  and 
the  avails  of  such  lands  shall  hereafter  be  applied  to  the  use  of 
the  religious  society,  or  societies,  that  may  be  in  such  towns,  to  be 
expended  in  the  support  of  religious  worship  in  such  towois.  And 
if  there  shall  be  more  than  one  such  society  in  any  town,  then  said 
avails  of  such  lands  shall  be  divided  between  them  in  proportion 
to  the  number  of  which  said  society  consists,  in  said  to^^Mi  respec- 
tively, and  if  there  be  no  such  society  in  any  such  town  the  same 
shall  be  applied  to  the  use  of  said  to\\Ti  to  hire  preaching  in  said 
town  for  the  time  being."  Under  this  law  there  are  some  Baptist 
societies  which  still  receive  a  small  income  from  the  avails  of  these 
lands. 

The  legislation  of  Vermont  in  regard  to  ecclesiastical  matters, 
is  as  follows:  The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Vermont  in 
its  October  session  of  1783,  passed  an  act  entitled,  "An  act  to 
enable  Towns  and  Parishes  to  erect  proper  Houses  of  Worship, 
and  support  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,"  which  provided  among  other 
things,  that  a  meeting  of  the  freeholders  of  any  town  or  parish 
might  be  called,  and  two-thirds  of  the  legal  voters  at  such  meeting 
may  appoint  a  place  or  i)laces  for  the  public  worship  of  God,  and 
fix  a  place  or  places  for  building  a  house  or  houses  for  public  wor- 
ship, and  vote  a  tax  or  taxes  to  defray  the  expense  of  such  building 
or  buildings,  and  also  hire  or  agree  with  a  minister,  or  ministers, 
such  settlement  or  settlements  as  to  them  shall  seem  to  be  equitable, 
to  be  assessed  on  the  polls  and  rateable  estates  of  persons  living 
on  estates  lying  within  the  limits  of  such  town  or  parish.  With 
a  pro\nsion  that  every  person,  being  of  adult  age,  shall  be  con- 
sidered as  agreeing  with  the  major  part  of  the  inhabitants  of  such 
towTi  or  parish,  until  he  shall  bring  a  certificate,  signed  by  some 
minister  of  the  Gospel,  deacon  or  elder,  or  the  moderator  in  the 
church  or  congregation  to  which  he  or  she  shall  pretend  to  belong, 
being  of  a  different  persuasion,  which  certificate  shall  declare  the 
party  to  be  of  their  persuasion,  and  until  such  certificate  shall  be 
shown  to  the  clerk  of  such  town  or  parish,  (who  shall  record  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  175 

same),  such  party  shall  be  subject  to  pay  all  such  charges  with 
the  major  part,  as  by  law  shall  be  assessed  on  his  or  their  polls  or 
rateable  estate.     (See  Slade's  State  Papers,  page  472.) 

The  above  act  seems  to  have  been  repealed  March,  1787, 
(See  Hough  and  Spooner's  edition,  Vermont  Laws,  page  180)  and 
in  substance  re-enacted  October  18,  1887.  (See  Haswell's  edition, 
Vermont  Statutes,  pages  201,  202.)  The  same,  with  a  slight  varia- 
tion, was  re-enacted  October  26,  1797.  (See  Fay's  edition  of  the 
Statutes,  pages  474-479.)  By  an  act  of  November  3,  1801,  the 
foregoing  provisions  were  altered  so  that  if  any  person  would 
make  a  written  declaration  as  follows:  "I  do  not  agree  in  reli- 
gious opinions  wdth  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants  of  this  town, " 
J.  B.,  and  deliver  it  to  the  town  clerk,  he  should  be  exempt  the 
same  as  he  was  under  the  former  laws  by  the  certificate  therein 
provided  for. 

By  an  act  passed  October  24,  1807,  all  the  provisions  of  the 
law  requiring  any  person  to  pay  taxes  for  building  meeting-houses 
or  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  by  tax,  without  his  express  agree- 
ment, were  repealed,  and  such  has  been  the  law  ever  since.  (See 
Tolman's  edition  of  Vermont  Statutes,  Vol.  2,  pages  178-180.) 

This  synopsis  of  the  laws  of  the  State  in  regard  to  religious 
matters  was  furnished  to  the  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown,  by  Hon.  Wm. 
Pingrey,  and  was  published  in  his  History  of  the  Church  in  Caven- 
dish, in  the  minutes  of  1874,  page  72. 

It  will  be  seen  that  these  provisions  did  not  select  any  given 
denomination  as  the  object  of  support  by  public  taxation.  The 
major  part  of  the  taxpayers  of  any  towTi  might  choose  any  denom- 
ination as  the  recipient  of  their  favor.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  differ- 
ent towns  gave  their  support  to  different  organizations,  and  in 
some  cases,  partly  to  one  and  partly  to  another,  and  there  are 
instances  where  Baptist  churches  shared  in  the  avails  of  these 
provisions.  Then  the  conditions  of  exemption  from  bearing  any 
part  in  the  matter  were  so  easy  of  attainment  that  it  seems  over- 
scrupulous that  any,  as  in  the  case  before  mentioned,  by  Mr. 
Ransom,  should  refuse  to  comply  with  them. 


Chapter  XII 

BEGINNINGS  EAST  OF  THE  GREEN  MOUNTAINS 

1780-1800 
The  Birth  of  Baptist  Churches  East  of  the  Mountains 

While  the  Spirit  of  God  was  active  in  the  valleys  west  of  the 
mountains,  and  ministers  of  apostolic  zeal  were  winning  converts 
and  organizing  churches  and  associations,  a  work  of  equal  interest 
was  in  progress  east  of  the  mountains.  Guilford  vied  with  Shafts- 
bury,  organizing  four  Baptist  churches,  three  of  them  in  successive 
years,  and  another  a  few  years  later.  The  relation  between  the 
inhabitants  of  Guilford  and  Brattleboro  was  much  like  that  be- 
tween the  people  of  Shaftsbury  and  Bennington.  The  settlers  of 
Brattleboro  were  emigrants  from  Massachusetts,  and  they  readily 
adopted  the  measures  of  their  native  state  in  the  support  of  reli- 
gion, so  that  Brattleboro  became  uninviting  to  Baptists.  The 
towns  of  Guilford  and  Dummerston,  one  lying  to  the  south  and 
the  other  to  the  north,  were  resorted  to  by  them,  where  they  could 
enjoy  greater  religious  freedom. 

The  town  of  Guilford  was  chartered  April  2,  1754,  and  was 
first  settled,  in  1761,  by  Micha  Rice  and  family.  During  the  last 
quarter  of  the  eighteenth  century,  it  was  the  most  populous  and 
influential  town  in  the  State.  The  first  church  organized  there 
was  a  Congregational  one,  which  settled  its  first  pastor  in  1775. 
His  name  was  Royal  Girley,  who  received  the  right  of  land  reserved 
and  located  for  that  purpose. 

The  first  Baptist  preacher  who  held  meetings  regularly  in 
Guilford  was  doubtless  Rev.  Mr.  Whipple,  of  Brattleboro.  He 
resided  "over  West  River,"  coming  there  from  Groton,  Conn. 
He  held  some  meetings  in  his  own  house,  but  his  labors  were  mostly 
in  Guilford  and  Halifax. 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  first  Baptist  church  was  constituted  in  1780.  Richard 
Williams  was  pastor.  This  church  was  located  in  the  southeast 
part  of  the  town.  Ten  years  after  its  formation  it  numbered  one 
hundred  members.  Jeremy  Packer  was  its  second  pastor.  He 
was  ordained  by  this  church  and  continued  pastor  for  nineteen 
years,  when  he  removed  to  Hinsdale,  N.  H.  The  church,  after 
failing  to  report  itself  to  the  Association  for  several  years,  was 
dropped  in  18*26,  and  became  extinct.  The  second  church  was 
constituted  in  1781.  Whitman  Jacobs  was  pastor  in  1796.  A- 
mong  the  members  of  this  church  was  Benjamin  Carpenter,  who 
served  the  State  as  Lieutenant-Governor  from  1779  to  1781. 
The  third  church  covenanted  together  in  1782.  Perley  Hicks  was 
pastor,  and  preached  half  the  time  in  dwelling  houses  and  barns. 
In  eleven  years  the  church  numbered  over  one  hundred  members. 
The  fourth  church  was  formed  in  1797.  Benjamin  Bucklin  was 
ordained  pastor  in  1802,  and  preached  to  them  about  twenty  years, 
when  that  church  dissolved. 

At  a  council  called  by  the  second  and  third  churches  to  meet 
in  Joseph  Slaughter's  barn,  about  the  first  of  April,  1800,  called 
for  the  purpose  of  considering  the  expediency  of  uniting  these  two 
churches,  it  was  voted  expedient,  and  the  two  churches  united 
under  the  name  of  the  "  United  Church  of  Guilford." 

Rev.  Simeon  Snow,  from  Upton,  Mass.,  was  at  the  council  and 
the  church  invited  him  to  preach  to  them  awhile,  which  he  con- 
sented to  do,  and  afterward  became  their  pastor,  continuing  three 
years.  This  Union  church  still  lives.  A  further  account  of  its 
history  will  be  given  in  another  chapter. 

The  Free  Baptist  cyclopedia  mentions  the  existence  of  a  Free 
Baptist  church  in  Guilford,  which  became  part  of  the  Dover  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  in  1822  and,  in  1831,  had  fifteen  members.  In  1842, 
this  church  is  reported  as  lost  to  the  Free  Baptists.  The  time  of 
the  origin  of  this  church  being  about  that  of  the  extinction  of  the 
Fourth  church,  it  seems  quite  probable  that  this  fourth  church 
was  found  by  David  Marks,  about  the  time  that  the  Dover  church 
and  a  few  others  in  this  locality  went  over  to  the  Free  Baptist 
denomination,  and  extended  its  life  for  twenty  years  in  that  fel- 
lowship. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  179 

The  same  year  that  the  Baptists  were  rallying  and  organizing 
in  Guilford,  Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  then  of  Canaan,  N.  H.,  was 
holding  a  '"wonderful  meeting"  in  the  west  part  of  the  town  of 
Woodstock.  Elder  Jedidiah  Hibbard  was  preaching  about  the 
same  time.  In  July,  1780,  it  is  thought  the  first  Baptist  church 
was  organized  in  the  North  Parish,  with  Elder  Elisha  Ransom 
as  its  first  pastor.  Three  years  later  this  church,  uniting  with  three 
others,  formed  an  Association  to  which  it  gave  its  name,  The 
Woodstock  Association.  Prominent  among  the  members  of  this 
first  church  were  Stephen  Delano,  Ichabod  Churchill,  Benjamin 
Burtch,  James  Washburn,  all  of  whom  had  been  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  in  North  Parish,  and  became  Baptists  in 
1782.  A  few  years  later,  Joseph  Churchill  also  became  convinced 
of  the  correctness  of  Baptist  teachings,  and  joined  their  number. 
In  the  spring  of  1785,  a  religious  interest  was  awakened  in  the 
south  part  of  the  town  and  several  young  people  were  converted. 
Some  of  the  members  of  the  First  church,  uniting  witli  the  con- 
verts, formed  the  Second  Baptist  church,  about  1785.  It  numbered 
among  its  members  Abraham  Kendall,  Daniel,  Ralph  and  Jabes 
Cottle,  Stephen  Smith,  father  of  Elias  Smith,  and  many  others. 
Joel  Butler  was  ordained  its  pastor,  January  5,  1785,  and  minis- 
tered to  this  church  two  years.  This  church  soon  united  with  the 
First  Church,  and  the  united  body  grew  in  numbers  and  influence. 

West  Dummerston  was  another  center  of  pioneer  Baptist 
influence.  About  the  year  1780,  the  families  of  Jesse,  John  and 
Louis  Manly  came  to  this  place  from  Royalton,  and  were  probably 
the  first  Baptists  settled  in  towai.  Soon  after  the  family  of  Ezekiel 
Wilson  came,  and  that  of  John  Turner,  who  came  from  Richmond, 
Maine,  where  he  had  been  baptized.  For  a  short  time  David 
Johnson  was  preaching  here.  The  early  records  of  the  church 
are  lost,  but  it  is  believed  that  the  church  was  constituted  during 
the  year  1782,  consisting  of  from  six  to  ten  members  from  the 
families  mentioned.  Isaiah  Stone  was  their  first  pastor,  and 
probably  was  ordained  here.  His  pastorate  continued  till  1789. 
The  years  immediately  following  were  years  of  blessing,  under  the 
ministry  of  Moses  and  Isaac  Kenney,  and  upward  of  seventy-five 
were  baptized.     Beriah  Willis   and  Samuel   Wakefield  were  or- 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

dained.  Rufus  Williams,  of  Fitzwilliam,  was  ordained  pastor  in 
1793.  Elder  Josiah  Goddard  became  pastor  sometime  in  1799, 
and  during  that  great  revival  period,  within  two  years  one  himdred 
converts  were  baptized  into  the  membership  of  this  early  church, 
and  the  foundations  of  the  px'esent  West  Dummerston  church 
were  firmly  laid. 

One  of  the  pioneer  ministers  in  this  region  was  Elder  Wm. 
Ewens.  He  made  an  earnest  effort  to  establish  a  Baptist  church 
in  Halifax,  and  was  the  first  minister  of  any  denomination  to 
preach  to  that  people.  There  was  an  attempt  made  to  settle 
him  as  the  minister  of  the  town.  They  raised  the  frame  of  a 
meeting-house  for  him  and  partly  boarded  it.  There  was  no 
ceremony  at  the  laying  of  the  foundation,  but  when  the  frame  was 
up,  Elder  Ewens  stood  in  the  place  where  the  door  was  to  be  and 
offered  a  prayer  of  consecration.  The  structure  was  never  finished. 
It  stood  in  the  woods  near  the  center  of  the  town.  A  few  meetings 
were  held  within  the  frame,  but  the  town  failed  to  settle  Mr. 
Ewens  for  some  reason,  and  the  frame  rotted  down.  For  a  num- 
ber of  months  or  years  the  disappointed  elder  held  meetings 
in  log  houses  and  schoolhouses,  and  a  number  were  converted  and 
baptized.  Elder  Warren  renewed  the  attempt  to  found  a  Baptist 
church  in  Halifax,  and  succeeded  in  forming  a  small  church  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town.  A  number  of  the  members  lived  in  Marl- 
boro and  Wilmington,  and  after  a  short  time  this  church  was  dis- 
solved, probably  on  account  of  the  founding  of  churches  more 
conveniently  near  some  of  the  members.  A  Mr.  Goodall,  Con- 
gregational minister,  came  about  the  time  that  Elder  Ewens  left, 
and  was  settled  and  took  up  the  ministerial  lot.  The  Baptist 
remnant,  however,  were  not  wholly  discouraged.  Elder  Littlefield, 
from  Colerain,  assisted  and  encouraged  them  until  1793.  This 
year  gave  birth  to  the  church,  which  still  survives.  A  council 
was  called  by  a  number  of  brethren,  Daniel  Safford,  Benjamin 
Wilcox,  Joseph  Worden,  William  Thomas,  David  Allen  and  others, 
and  these  were  organized  into  a  church.  They  settled  Elder 
Abner  Bemis,  from  Westminster,  Mass.,  who  was  their  pastor 
thirteen  years,  until  his  death.  He  is  described  in  Scripture  terms 
as  a  good  man  and  full  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  many  people  were 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  181 

added  to  the  Lord  through  his  labors  of  love.  There  was  a  gradual 
increase  during  his  ministry,  and  a  great  ingathering  near  its  close. 

Before  his  death  a  large  meeting-house  was  erected  near  the 
center  of  the  town,  costing  twelve  hundred  dollars.  The  first 
deacons  were  David  Allen  and  Samuel  Wood.  Elder  Bemis' 
death  was  due  to  a  cancer  on  his  lip,  from  which  he  had  suffered 
with  great  patience  and  fortitude.  He  was  invited  to  council  with 
his  brethren,  when  they  were  weighing  the  important  question  of 
his  successor.  They  met  at  his  residence  to  consider  the  matter 
prayerfully.  With  one  or  two  exceptions,  they  were  unanimous 
in  accepting  his  choice  of  Elder  Mansfield  Bruce,  a  young  brother, 
whom  he  had  recently  baptized.  Just  then  Brother  Bruce  unex- 
pectedly entered  the  room.  Father  Bemis  warmly  grasped  his 
hand  and  said  "My  son  in  the  gospel,  I  leave  you  in  charge  of  my 
sheep  and  my  lambs;  take  good  care  of  them."  Already  this 
young  man  had  proved  himself  a  workman  that  needeth  not  to  be 
ashamed.  This  prayerful  and  evidently  wise  choice  was  defeated 
by  the  two  dissenting  members,  who  immediately  wrote  to  Elisha 
Hall  to  visit  them  on  trial.  He  received  this  as  a  unanimous  call 
from  the  church,  replying,  "I  have  a  peculiar  regard  for  the  church 
and  am  willing  to  cast  in  my  lot  with  them,  to  live  and  die  with 
them."  He  came,  and  to  keep  peace,  the  majority  consented  for 
a  season.  In  a  short  time  he  scattered  the  flock.  The  church, 
however,  survived  this  and  other  severe  trials,  and  still  lives  and 
fills  a  place  in  the  sisterhood  of  Baptist  churches  in  Vermont. 

That  there  was  a  Baptist  church  in  Westminster  West,  about 
1782,  seems  probable,  from  the  fact  that  in  1784  over  fifty  inhabi- 
tants of  the  town  entered  their  names  in  the  clerk's  office,  under  a 
certificate  that  they  worshipped  with  the  Baptists.  Among  these 
names  were  those  of  Deacon  Benjamin  Smith  and  Deacon  Nathan- 
iel Robinson.  Elder  Oliver  Gurnsey,  who  lived  in  the  parish, 
and  Elder  Wellman,  who  lived  in  Brookline,  were  Baptist 
ministers,  whose  names  appear  often  in  the  early  history  of  the 
parish.  It  is  said  of  them  that  they  were  uneducated  men  who 
scorned  the  need  of  preparation  for  preaching;  who  opened  their 
mouths  for  the  Lord  to  fill,  and  pitied  the  preacher  that  de- 
pended upon  his  manuscript. 


182  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Baptists  organized  in  Brookline,  probably,  in  1785.  The  first 
date  on  record  is  September  4,  1798,  when  a  covenant  was  copied 
from  an  earher  one  dated  1785,  which  was  undoubtedly  the  time 
when  the  church  was  organized.  We  have  no  knowledge  of  what 
transpired  for  the  first  thirteen  years.  The  records  are  meager 
and  imperfect.  This  church  belonged  to  the  Ley  den  Association, 
till  the  time  of  the  Windham  Association,  and  never  failed  to 
make  its  annual  report . 

December  3,  1785,  the  first  Baptist  Church  in  Windsor 
was  organized,  and  the  following  January,  Roswell  Smith  was 
received  with  his  gift  from  the  church  in  Woodstock,  and  the 
next  April,  Mr.  Smith  was  "called  to  the  constant  improvement  of 
his  gift.  He  being  present,  consented  to  it." 

A  providential  event,  of  no  small  interest,  was  the  coming  of 
Aaron  Leland  to  Chester,  in  1786.  He  was  destined  to  become 
che  acknowledged  leader  and  apostle  of  the  churches  in  the  Wood- 
stock Association,  with  the  upbuilding  of  which  he  had  much  to 
do.  The  story  of  his  coming  is  of  special  interest.  In  the  winter 
of  1786,  David  Johnson,  of  Chester,  Vt.,  was  visiting  friends  in 
Holliston,  Mass.,  and  while  there  heard  of  young  Leland,  and 
from  his  friends  received  a  very  happy  impression  of  him,  and 
learned  that  he  might  possibly  be  inclined  to  go  to  Vermont. 
With  this  hope,  Mr.  Johnson  returned  home  and  talked  with  his 
friends  about  it,  with  this  result,  that  fifteen  citizens  of  Chester, 
none  of  them  Baptists,  signed  a  petition  urgently  inviting  Mr. 
Leland  to  settle  as  their  pastor.  Influenced  by  this  petition,  and 
by  a  very  friendly  letter  of  Mr.  Johnson  accompanying  it,  Mr. 
Leland  set  out  on  the  long  journey  and  in  due  time  reached  Chester. 

Upon  reaching  the  place  the  young  minister  was  disappointed. 
The  country  was  not  so  well  settled,  nor  the  people  so  interesting 
as  he  had  expected.  He  was  troubled.  The  path  of  duty  was 
not  clear.     He  looked  to  the  throne  for  guidance. 

There  is  a  tradition  that  the  crisis  came  in  the  night.  He 
was  planning  to  return  in  the  morning;  but  being  unable  to  sleep, 
he  arose,  and  went  out  of  doors,  and  under  an  apple  tree  kneeled 
and  prayed.  And,  while  he  prayed,  the  one  who  cheered  the 
Apostle  Paul  at  Corinth,  seemed  to  speak  to  him  in  the  same 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  183 

terms,  "I  have  much  people  in  this  city."  These  words  were  so 
deeply  impressed  upon  his  mind  that  he  decided  upon  Chester  as 
his  field  of  work.  He  returned  to  his  home  in  HolHston,  for  a 
few  months,  and  then  came  back  to  Chester  to  begin  his  life  work. 

Two  years  later,  August  10,  1789,  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  a  little  church  of  ten  members  recognized  by  an  ecclesiasti- 
cal council  called  for  that  purpose.  At  the  end  of  five  years  the 
church  numbered  fifty  members.  Five  years  later  it  reported 
one  hundred  and  forty-two  members.  In  1799,  a  precious  revival 
began,  and  in  four  years  one  hundred  and  eighty-six  were  added  to 
the  church  by  baptism. 

The  labors  of  this  apostolic  preacher  at  this  time  were  arduous 
in  the  extreme.  He  scoured  the  country  for  miles  around,  seeking 
converts,  and  encouraging  christians,  and  organizing  them  into 
churches.  Through  a  forest  path  he  reached  Jamaica,  twenty 
miles  away,  and  worked  with  that  people  and  organized  a  church 
there.  The  records  of  the  town  of  Rockingham  show  that  he 
was  the  recognized  shepherd  of  the  Baptists  of  that  town.  At 
Cavendish,  Andover,  Grafton  and  Springfield,  he  visited  and 
gathered  converts  into  the  Chester  church.  At  Londonderry  he 
preached  in  a  saw  mill.  Members  from  these  distant  places  were 
received  as  branches  of  the  Chester  church,  and  were  encouraged 
with  the  assurance  that,  as  soon  as  they  had  reached  the  member- 
ship of  twelve,  they  might,  if  they  wished,  be  organized  as  inde- 
pendent churches.  This  is  a  matter  of  record  concerning  the 
Cavendish  church,  and  of  natural  inference  concerning  the  rest. 
The  time  came  when  this  assurance  was  fulfilled.  On  the  31st 
of  August,  just  fourteen  years  after  the  organization  of  the 
Chester  church,  an  ecclesiastical  council  was  convened  and,  with 
the  happiest  of  feelings,  four  churches  were  set  off  from  the  Chester 
church  to  begin  their  independent  life.  These  were  the  Baptist 
churches  of  Cavendish,  North  Springfield,  Andover  and  Grafton. 
The  membership  of  the  parent  church  was  suddenly  reduced  from 
two  hundred  and  fifty-three  to  seventy-nine.  A  rare  record  this, 
four  churches  set  off  in  one  day  from  a  mother  church. 

This  family  of  churches  have  lived  in  happiest  relationship 
for  more  than  a  century,  and  in  fellowship  with  the  churches  of 
the  Woodstock  Association. 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

November  12,  1787,  a  church  was  formed  in  Putney,  under 
the  ministry  of  David  Johnson,  (doubtless  the  same  man,  who 
was  instrumental  in  bringing  Elder  Leland  to  Chester). 

In  1790,  a  church  was  gathered  in  Jamaica  by  Elder  Aaron 
Leland;  Calvin  Howard,  the  first  convert  to  Baptist  principles  in 
Jamaica,  was  chosen  deacon.  Though  without  a  regular  preacher, 
and  dependent  upon  transient  supplies,  this  church  prospered, 
and  in  October  of  this  year,  it  sent  out  a  colony,  when  the  church 
in  West  Wardsboro  was  organized.  Elder  Leland  was  instrumental 
in  gathering  this  church  also.  In  1796,  a  branch  of  this  church 
was  established  in  West  Townshend,  which  became  an  independent 
body  in  1810  and  was  extinct  in  1845. 

A  few  converts  had  been  gathered  in  Wardsboro  as  early  as 
1792.  Then  came  Aaron  Leland,  and  preached  and  baptized  six 
more,  and  in  October  of  that  year  (1792),  these  were  organized 
into  a  Baptist  church,  by  the  advice  of  a  council  of  five,  in  which 
Leland  was  the  only  minister. 

On  the  twenty -fourth  of  October,  1794,  twenty -two  members 
of  the  Dummerston  church  were  dismissed  that  they  might  form 
a  church  in  Marlboro,  to  be  called  the  Marlboro  and  Newfane 
church.  Fifteen  of  these  were  men  and  seven  women.  On  the 
twenty-ninth  of  the  same  month  they  were  recognized  by  a  council, 
and  John  Phillips  was  chosen  clerk,  a  position  which  he  held  for 
more  than  forty  years.  This  is  all  that  can  be  gathered  of  the 
history  of  this  church  for  the  first  six  years,  the  records  being  lost. 


Rev.  Aaron  Leland 

Lieutenant  Governor  of  Vermont,  1822 — 1824 

Founder  and  pastor  of  Chester  Baptist  Church  1786^ — 1832 

Born,  1761— Died,  1832 


Chapter  XIII 
THE  WINDHAM  COUNTY  ASSOCIATION 

The  Windham  County  Association  was  originally  organized 
under  the  name  of  the  Leyden  Association,  taking  its  name  from 
the  place  where  it  was  formed,  in  1793.  Although  organized  in 
Massachusetts,  and  composed  partly  of  churches  in  that  State,  it 
was  recognized  as  a  Vermont  Association,  the  majority  of  its 
churches  being  in  Vermont. 

In  1796,  it  numbered  fourteen  churches  and  eight  hundred  and 
seventy-seven  members,  with  ten  ordained  ministers.  The  Vermont 
churches  were  the  First,  Second  and  Fourth  Guilford  churches, 
Dummerston,  Somerset,  Putney,  Halifax,  Marlboro  and  Newfane. 

For  a  period  of  forty-two  years  the  Association,  under  its 
original  name,  worked  along  practically  the  same  lines  as  its  sister 
Associations.  Its  first  organized  mission  work  was  that  of  provid- 
ing, through  its  settled  pastors,  for  the  supply  of  pastorless 
churches,  at  least  a  few  Sundays  in  each  year. 

As  early  as  1806,  it  recognized  the  claims  of  foreign  missions, 
and  appointed  a  committee  to  receive  and  transmit  to  the  Massa- 
chusetts Baptist  Missionary  Society  such  sums  as  should  be  con- 
tributed for  missions,  and  from  that  time,  annually,  contributions 
were  made  for  this  object. 

The  session  in  1809,  closed  under  the  depressing  and  alarming 
prospect  of  the  want  of  bread  in  this  part  of  the  country,  and  the 
last  Thursday  in  December  was  commended  to  the  churches  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer.  The  Vermont  Association  took  like 
action  for  the  same  reason.  The  records  of  the  next  session  make  no 
reference  to  this  threatened  distress.  On  the  margin  of  a  copy  of 
the  minutes  for  1810,  is  penned  this  note,  "Most  of  the  ministers 
of  this  Association  are  in  good  circumstances  for  living,  some  of 
them  are  wealthy.  All  the  churches  in  this  Association  which  are  in 
Vermont  are  in  Windham  County. " 


186  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  session  of  1811  was  rendered  exceptionally  impressive  by 
the  Association  assuming,  by  request,  the  function  of  a  council, 
and  ordaining  to  the  "  Evangelic  Ministry, "  Nathaniel  Rice. 

The  constitution  of  their  missionary  society  was  published 
that  year.  The  membership  of  the  society  was  limited  to  persons 
contributing  to  its  treasury  at  least  one  dollar. 

The  object  of  the  society  was  declared  to  be,  to  furnish 
occasional  preaching,  and  to  promote  the  knowledge  of  evangelic 
truth  in  the  new  settlements  within  the  United  States,  or  farther, 
if  circumstances  should  require. 

The  only  record  of  any  mission  at  a  distance  is  that  of  1824, 
when  Brother  J.  Parsons  was  employed  as  missionary  for  ten 
weeks  in  Pennsylvania. 

The  letter  of  Luther  Rice,  in  1814,  roused  the  members  of  this 
Association,  as  it  did  the  other  Associations,  to  a  more  active  in- 
terest in  foreign  missions,  and  a  standing  secretary  of  the  Associa- 
tion was  appointed  to  hold  correspondence  with  the  correspond- 
ing secretary  of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions. 

In  1818,  Elder  Going  was  present,  and  was  specially  helpful  in 
organizing  an  education  society  of  twenty -four  members.  Later, 
1830,  the  organization  of  a  Vermont  Branch  of  the  Northern  Bap- 
tist Education  Society  was  cordially  recommended. 

A  number  of  beneficiaries  received  the  assistance  of  this  as- 
sociational  educational  society,  among  them  Jeremiah  Hall,  J.  M. 
Graves,  Wm.  Metcalf,  Bela  Wilcox  and  M.  McCullar. 

Exceptional  recommendations  of  the  Association  were  these, 
(1823) :  Voted  that  instead  of  Rev.  we  insert  in  our  minutes  Eld., 
as  the  appellation  for  ministers.  (1833)  Resolved  that  we  recom- 
mend the  discontinuance  of  the  practice  of  wearing  mourning 
apparel. 

This  Association  voiced  its  sentiments  on  the  subject  of  tem- 
perance somewhat  conservatively,  and  its  successive  resolutions 
indicate  steady  growth  of  conviction,  expressing  itself  in  stronger 
and  stronger  declaration. 

Its  first  resolution  was  in  1827,  "Resolved,  that  we  abstain 
from  the  use  of  spirituous  liquor  on  ordinary  occasions,  and  withhold 
it  from  visiting  parties,  and  from  our  workmen."     In  1828,  ''Re- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  187 

solved,  that  we  recommend  to  our  churches  to  abstain  from  the 
use  of  spirituous  hquors,  except  as  prescribed  by  physicians  as 
a  medicine."  1829,  "The  Committee  of  Temperance,  considering 
the  vast  and  aw-ful  ravages  which  the  use  of  ardent  spirits  is 
making  upon  the  morals  of  society,  the  peace  of  famihes,  and  in- 
dividual happiness — Would  report,  as  christians,  it  is  our  duty  to 
exert  all  our  influence  to  stem  the  desolating  flood.  Whatever  we 
may  think  of  the  lawfulness  of  a  moderate  use  of  this  kind  of  stim- 
ulant; yet,  indulgence  in  christians  has  a  baleful  influence  on 
society.  Hence  christian  benevolence  requires  entire  abstinence. 
Resolved,  therefore,  that  we  will  totally  abstain  from  the  use  of 
ardent  spirits,  and  use  our  influence  to  induce  others  to  do  so, 
too."  From  this  strong  position  the  Association  never  retreated, 
but  frequently  reiterated  its  strong  protest  against  the  iniquitous 
traffic  and  destructive  indulgence. 

In  1824,  the  Association  numbered  twenty-eight  churches,  six 
of  which  being  located  in  Massachusetts,  east  of  the  Connecticut 
River,  were  dismissed  to  form  the  Wendell  Association.  In  1830, 
all  the  remaining  churches  belonging  to  Massachusetts  were  dis- 
missed to  form  the  Franklin  County  Association,  leaving  twelve 
churches  belonging  to  Vermont,  which,  in  1835,  assumed  the  name 
of  the  Windham  County  Association.  Rev.  Mansfield  Bruce  was 
moderator,  and  Amherst  Lamb,  the  year  when  the  new  name  was 
given. 

The  churches  then  associated  with  the  membership  of  each 
were  as  follows:  Putney,  fifty-six;  Hahfax,  one  hundred  and  fifty- 
four;  Marlboro  and  Newfaie,  one  hundred  and  fifty;  Dummerston, 
one  hundred  and  sixteen;  Guilford,  one  hundred  and  thirteen; 
Brookline,  eighty-nine;  Wilmington,  ninety -five;  Wardsboro,  forty- 
four;  Whitingham,  seventy-five;  Dover,  thirty-six;  Stratton, 
forty-one;  Readsboro,  thirty-seven.  Total  membership,  one  thou- 
sand and  six. 

The  ordained  ministers  were:  Samuel  Fish,  Putney;  P.  Howe, 
Marlboro  and  Newfane;  J.  Packer,  Dummerston;  A.  B.  Eggleston, 
Benjamin  Buckstin,  Guilford;  Mansfield  Bruce,  Wilmington;  Am- 
herst Lamb,  Whitingham;  James  Carpenter,  Readsboro. 

The  Windham  Association  has  been  a  harmonious  and  stable 
body  of  churches,  subject  to  comparatively  few  changes,  and  sel- 


188  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

dom  disturbed  by  serious  difficulties.  Two  only  of  the  original 
churches  have  become  extinct,  the  Somerset  and  the  Readsboro. 
The  extinction  of  the  Readsboro  church  was  not  permanent,  and 
it  has  been  reorganized  and  is  living  a  prosperous  and  influential 
life,  while  the  remnants  of  the  old  Somerset  church  were  gathered 
into  the  Dover  church. 

But  few  churches  have  been  added  to  the  original  number. 
Jamaica,  in  1838;  Brattleboro,  in  1840;  Townshend,  in  1856;  West 
Brattleboro,  in  1874;  and  Heartwellville,  in  1907.  In  1910,  there 
were  in  the  Association  seventeen  churches,  fifteen  pastors,  one 
thousand  and  thirty -nine  resident  members,  one  thousand,  three 
hundred  and  eighty-six  total  membership,  and  the  benevolent 
contributions  reported  that  year  were  $2848.00. 

This  body  at  its  first  session, under  the  name  of  The  Windham 
Association,  became  an  auxiliary^  of  the  Baptist  General  Tract 
Society,  for  the  circulation  of  its  literature;  every  subscriber  being 
entitled  to  one-half  his  subscription  in  tracts,  at  a  cost  of  one  cent 
for  fifteen  pages  of  tracts.  Rev.  Amherst  Lamb  was  appointed 
agent  and  depositary  for  this  work. 

At  this  first  session,  interest  was  showTi  in  Sunday  school  work, 
a  feature  which  has  been  conspicuous  in  this  Association  ever  since. 
Ziba  Howard  and  Amherst  Lamb  were  chosen  to  present  in  every 
church  (by  exchange  or  otherwise)  the  subject  of  the  Sunday  school, 
and  to  excite  a  deeper  interest  in  this  institution.  In  1847,  an  As- 
sociational  Sunday  School  Convention  was  proposed  and  soon  was 
made  a  permanent  organization,  holding  its  meetings  annually  in 
June,  and  attended  with  real  interest.  June  1,  1910,  this  Conven- 
tion held  its  fifty -seventh  annual  meeting  in  Readsboro. 

As  a  domestic  missionarv^  society,  this  Association  had  looked 
carefully  after  the  interests  of  its  weaker  churches.  It  was  specially 
helpful  to  the  church  in  Dover,  for  a  long  time.  For  nine  years  this 
church  was  supplied  one-third  of  the  time  by  the  pastors  of  the 
^Association.  But  for  this  assistance,  and  the  help  of  the 
State  Convention  for  a  short  time,  this  church  would  doubtless 
have  become  extinct. 

Quarterly  meetings  were  sustained  for  many  years,  and  were 
specially  helpful  to  the  weaker  churches.       Special  evangelistic 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  189 

meetings  were  arranged  at  intervals,  two  or  more  of  the  pastors 
assisting  the  local  pastor.  In  1878,  at  the  suggestion  of  Colonel 
J.  J.  Estey,  a  band  of  laymen  was  organized  to  assist  churches  in 
series  of  meetings,  and  he  was  appointed  general  manager  of  the 
band. 

Another  marked  feature  of  this  Association  has  been  its  sym- 
pathetic interest  in  the  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  ministers, 
within  its  bounds.  For  more  than  fifty  years,  during  the  first  ses- 
sion of  each  anniversary,  a  collection  was  taken  and  by  vote 
specially  designated  to  some  such  needy  family.  The  \vidow  of 
Cyprian  P.  Frenyear  was  thus  kindly  remembered  for  several  years 
after  her  husband's  death. 

The  various  objects  of  moral  reform  received  the  attention  of 
the  Association.      Slavery   was   denounced  in   unsparing   terms;  | 
temperance  advocated  unceasingly;  individual  churches  appear  to  i 
have  paid  special  attention  to  these  subjects.    The  Halifax  church  [ 
had,  in  1837,  a  temperance  society,  numbering  two  hundred  and 
eighty -eight  members,  and  an  anti-slavery  society,  numbering  one 
hundred  and  sixty -two  members.    The  use  of  tobacco  as  well  as ; 
of  intoxicants  was  condemned  by  repeated  resolutions. 

In  promoting  the  benevolence  of  the  churches,  the  Associa- 
tion made  earnest  effort.  The  representatives  of  the  missionary 
societies  were  cordially  welcomed  to  the  anniversaries  and  given 
opportunity  to  present  their  cause.  In  1871,  a  resolution  was  passed, 
"That  for  the  purpose  of  economy  and  efficiency  in  our  benevolent 
operations,  an  Associational  Agent  be  appointed  to  raise  money  for 
any  or  all  of  the  benevolent  objects  that  come  before  the  churches." 
Under  this  resolution  the  following  appointments  were  made:  To 
raise  money  for  Ministerial  Education,  C.  P.  Frenyear,  Jamaica; 
for  Foreign  Missions,  M.  Carpenter,  South  Windham;  for  State 
Convention,  A.  W.  Goodnow,  Wilmington;  for  Home  Missions, 
L.  J.  Mattison,  Brattleboro;  and  for  Bible  and  Publication  So- 
ciety, S.S.White,  Williamsville.  In  1872,  the  Association  authorized 
Mr.  A.  Stoddard  to  prepare  cards  and  printed  envelopes  for  be- 
nevolent purposes,  and  distribute  them  to  the  churches  willing  to 
use  them,  on  payment  of  cost,  and  assumed  the  pajonent  for  the 
balance  of  the  same.    The  benevolent  contributions  of  this  Asso- 


190  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ciation  from  1835  to  1873  inclusive,  so  far  as  reported,  amounted 
to  $15,811.95. 

Ministerial  education  received  the  prayerful  interest  of  the 
Association.  A  noteworthy  instance  is  the  record  in  1869  of  a  reso- 
lution to  pray  the  Lord  to  send  forth  laborers,  and  the  grateful 
record  the  following  year  of  the  fact  that  two  more  of  their  young 
men  had  entered  upon  a  course  of  study  for  the  ministry,  and  to 
these  the  Association  pledged  not  only  their  prayers,  but  their 
pecuniary  assistance,  if  it  should  be  needed.  A  committee  was  ap- 
pointed to  secure,  if  possible,  a  collection  from  each  church  in  the 
Association  for  this  purpose,  and  to  distribute  the  same  to  these 
brethren.     "Resolved,  to  continue  in  prayer  for  more  laborers." 

Leland  and  Gray  Academy  and  Vermont  Academy,  both  wnth- 
in  the  bounds  of  the  Association,  were  often  commended  to  the 
patronage  and  help  of  the  churches. 

The  importance  of  preserving  the  histories  of  the  churches 
has  been  fully  recognized  by  this  body.  By  invitation  of  the  As- 
sociation, the  churches  have  prepared  historical  sketches,  which 
have  been  read  at  the  anniversaries,  and  printed  in  the  minutes. 
The  Wardsboro  sketch  was  printed  in  the  minutes  of  1864;  Halifax, 
1865;  Guilford,  in  1866;  Brattleboro,  in  1868;  Whitingham,  in  1870; 
Brookline,  in  1871 ;  Pondville,  formerly  knouTi  as  the  Marlboro  and 
New^ane,  m  187'-2;  Dover,  in  1873;  Annals  of  the  Ley  den  Associa- 
tion, in  1874;  Wilmington,  in  1875. 

Cyprian  P.  Frenyear,  pastor  of  the  church  in  South  Windham 
and  later  of  Townshend,  1868-1876,  was  an  ardent  collector  and 
publisher  of  the  facts  of  Vermont  Baptist  history  and  to  his  tireless 
industry  in  this  line  we  are  greatly  indebted. 

No  feature  of  the  history  of  this  Association  is  more  excep- 
tional or  more  interesting  than  the  number  of  long  pastorates 
its  churches  have  enjoyed. 

James  Mann  was  pastor  of  the  Somerset  church  from  1812  till 
its  union  with  the  Dover  church  in  1829,  and  for  two  years  after 
was  pastor  of  the  united  body,  a  pastorate  of  nineteen  years. 

Jonathan  Huntley  served  the  Baptists  of  Dummerston  thirty- 
two  years,  from  1802  till  his  death  in  1834.  It  was  during  his  pastor- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  191 

ate,  in  1817,  that  eighty-seven  converts  were  baptized  into  the 
membership  of  the  Dummerston  church.  When  seventy-two  mem- 
bers of  the  first  church  in  Dummerston  withdrew  and  formed  the 
second  church,  he  was  chosen  pastor,  and  in  1827,  was  permitted  to 
baptize  twenty-one  converts.  As  one  of  the  results  of  this  revival, 
the  two  Dummerston  churches  were  united,  and  Mr.  Huntley  con- 
tinued to  serve  them,  and  in  1830,  three  years  from  the  time  of  the 
union,  he  had  again  the  joy  of  leading  a  revived  people  and  of  bap- 
tizing thirty-seven  converts.  He  died  with  the  harness  on,  having 
wrought  a  good  work  on  the  people  whom  he  so  long  served. 

Samuel  Fish  was  pastor  at  Halifax  for  fifty  years.  He  was 
bom  in  Halifax  on  October  13,  1788;  was  converted  at  the  age  of 
twenty;  preached  occasionally  in  Halifax,  Guilford  and  Leyden, 
and  more  frequently  in  Colerain,  till  1820,  when  he  was  invited  to 
preach  as  supply  in  his  native  town,  where  he  was  ordained  pastor 
in  1822.  In  the  years  immediately  following  his  settlement  there 
were  one  hundred  and  twelve  added  to  the  church  by  baptism.  He 
continued  to  preach  in  Halifax  till  1867,  when  he  removed  to  Guil- 
ford, where  he  remained  but  two  years,  when  he  returned  to  Hali- 
fax as  pastor,  and  continued  to  preach  for  three  years,  completing 
fifty  years  of  service  there.  In  his  autobiography,  written  when  he 
was  about  ninety  years  of  age,  he  says :  "The  whole  that  I  baptized 
into  both  churches,  east  and  west,  was  two  hundred;  I  preached,  I 
dare  say,  four  hundred  funeral  sermons.  As  I  preached  three  times 
one-half  the  Sabbaths,  I  think  for  nearly  sixty  years,  I  might  have 
delivered  eight  thousand  sermons. "  His  last  sermon  in  his  pulpit 
was  from  the  text:  "I  pray  God  that  your  whole  body,  soul  and 
spirit,  may  be  preserved  blameless  unto  the  coming  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ." 

Mr.  Fish  was  twice  married  and  was  the  father  of  fifteen  chil- 
dren, eleven  of  whom  lived  to  maturity,  and  these,  with  one  excep- 
tion, were  baptized  by  their  father.  One  of  his  sons  was  the  late 
Rev.  Henry  Clay  Fish,  long  pastor  at  Newark,  New  Jersey. 

One  who  knew  him  says:  "Almost  reverential  was  the  regard 
for  him  which  was  inspired  by  beholding  him  in  his  later  days." 
He  died  on  the  25th  of  January,  1883,  at  the  age  of  ninety-four 
years. 


192  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

James  Carpenter  was  pastor  of  the  Readsboro  church  twenty 
years,  1823-1843. 

The  Dover  church  was  served  by  Origen  Smith  as  pastor  from 
July  6,  1852,  until  the  close  of  1872,  making  a  pastorate  of  twenty 
and  one-half  years.  During  this  pastorate  a  meeting-house  was 
built  and  four  revivals  enjoyed.  In  one  of  these  there  were  bap- 
tisms on  ten  successive  Sundays.  Ninety-two  were  added  to  the 
church;  sixty -three  by  baptism.  During  seven  consecutive  years, 
Pastor  Smith  was  absent  but  one  Sunday.  He  gave  to  this  church 
the  best  years  of  his  life,  the  wisdom,  zeal  and  piety  of  manhood, 
the  ripe  experience  of  age. 

Phineas  Howe  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Pondville  church 
(formerly  known  as  the  Marlboro  and  Newfane  church)  October 
28,  1824,  and  with  the  exception  of  three  years  (1832-1835),  he  was 
pastor  till  1842,  making  a  pastorate  oi  fifteen  years,  during  which 
one  hundred  and  seventy -five  were  added  by  baptism.  The  Pond- 
ville church  numbered  one  hundred  and  ninety-five  members  in 
1841.  Mr.  Howe  was  born  in  FitzwilUam,  N.  H.,  in  1792,  experi- 
enced religion  at  the  age  of  twenty -eight,  and  in  the  spring  of  1824, 
began  his  pastorate  at  Marlboro  and  Newfane.  His  active  min- 
istry covered  about  a  quarter  of  a  century,  during  which  time  he 
baptized  three  hundred  and  eight  converts.  He  was  faithful  in  all 
the  duties  of  his  calling,  and  left  a  very  fragrant  memory  among  his 
people.  Happy  the  church  that  can  have  such  a  pastor  so  long. 

The  Wilmington  church  was  led  by  Mansfield  Bruce  as  pastor 
for  nearly  twenty-four  years.  He  was  bom  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  April 
11, 1781 ;  was  converted  at  the  age  of  twenty -three;  united  with  the 
Congregational  church  in  Ne^\•ton;  united  with  the  Marlboro 
church  in  1806;  was  ordained  evangelist  in  1809;  soon  after  became 
pastor  of  the  Marlboro  church.  He  died  Fel^ruary  5,  1843,  at  the 
age  of  sixty -two.  His  pastorate  in  Wilmington  was  a  very  successful 
one.  He  was  an  humble,  devoted  christian;  a  sound  and  earnest 
preacher.  He  married  one  hundred  and  one  couples,  baptized  four 
hundred  and  three  persons,  and  traveled  between  sixty  and 
seventy  thousand  miles. 

In  1875,  at  the  time  when  the  historical  sketch  of  the  Wilming- 
ton church  was  written,  A.  W.  Goodnow  was  completing  a  pastorate 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  193 

oi  fifteen  years.  Up  to  that  time,  with  a  history  of  sixty -nine  years, 
the  Wilmington  church  had  had  but  nine  pastors. 

Linus  Austin  served  the  Whitingham  church  over  nine  years, 
and  then  Amherst  Lamb,  in  two  pastorates  gave  twenty-one  years, 
the  better  part  of  his  active  ministry  to  this  church.  He  was  a 
sound  preacher  and  highly  respected  in  the  community,  having 
been  several  times  returned  to  the  State  Legislature  as  representa- 
tive of  his  town.  Mr.  Lamb  died  May  29,  1870,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy -nine  years. 

Horace  Fletcher,  who  died  in  Townshend,  November,  1871, 
had  served  that  church  for  twenty-seven  years.  It  has  been  said  of 
him  that  his  natural  and  acquired  accomplishments  entitled  him  to 
the  reputation  of  being  a  "true  gentleman  of  the  old  school."  He 
was  a  man  of  rare  mental  and  moral  endowments,  and  might  well 
be  regarded  as  a  model  man  and  minister.  Mr.  Fletcher  was  born 
in  Cavendish,  in  October,  1796;  graduated  at  Dartmouth  College 
in  1817,  with  highest  honors;  read  law  and  practiced  that  profes- 
sion fifteen  years,  then  turned  to  the  study  of  theology,  and  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  Townshend  church  in  January,  1844,  and 
gave  to  that  church  the  remnant  of  his  cultured  life. 

Mark  Carpenter  is  another  name  worthy  of  special  mention, 
whose  work  in  this  Association  was  so  long  as  to  leave  a  permanent 
impression  upon  it.  He  was  pastor  of  the  Brattleboro  church  nearly 
six  years;  West  Dummerston,  in  two  periods,  about  five  years; 
South  Windham,  seven  years,  and  Townshend  during  his  declining 
days.  Mr.  Carpenter's  history  is  one  that  may  well  encourage  any 
young  man  who  has  not  enjoyed  early  privileges.  He  was  born  in 
Guilford,  September  23,  1802.  Before  he  became  of  age  he  had  but 
three  months  of  schooling.  On  attaining  his  majority  he  set  about 
acquiring  an  education.  He  was  converted  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four,  and  soon  after  licensed  to  preach  by  the  Baptist  church  in 
Northampton,  Mass.  Spent  five  years  in  academy  and  college  at 
Amherst,  taking  his  last  year  and  graduating  at  Union  College, 
Schenectady,  N.  Y.,  in  1830,  and  after  three  years'  course  in  New- 
ton, began  his  ministry  at  Milford,  N.  H. 

He  was  active  in  all  the  enterprises,  both  of  the  churches  he 
served  and  in  the  Association  with  which  he  was  identified  so  long. 


194 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  EST  VERMONT 


The  minutes  of  1848  give  the  following  list  of  pastors  and 
ordained  ministers,  who  have  labored  with  the  Windham  Associa- 
tion since  1782  to  that  year: 


Isaiah  Stone 
Moses  Kenney 
Isaac  Kenney 
Ruf  us  Freeman 
Josiah  Goddard 
Abner  Bemis 
Maturin  Ballou 
Simeon  Combs 
Simeon  Snow 
Le"v\as  Allyn 
Jonathan  Wilson 
Nathaniel  Bolls 
Isaac  Wellman 
Paul  Himes 
Jonathan  Huntley 
John  Spaulding 
Joseph  Gambrel 
Linus  Austin 
Mansfield  Bruce 
Daniel  H.  Grant 
Aaron  Burbank 
Obed  Warren 


James  Parsons 
Asa  Hibbard 
Bela  Wilcox 
Levi  Dunham 
David  Cutler 
Amos  Beckwith 
Stephen  Choate 
Joseph  Elliot 
Eli  Ball 
Abial  Fisher 
George  Witherel 
Asahel  Wells 
Asahel  W' ood 
Nathaniel  McCulloch 
James  Carpenter 
Alden  B.  Eggelston 
Nehemiah  Fisher 
Sem  Pierce 
Obed  Spery 
Phineas  Gowe 
P.  B.  Fisk 


Ziba  Howard 
Nathan  Ames 
Milo  Frary 
Leland  Huntley 
Denzel  M.  Crane 
Emerson  Andrews 
Joseph  Freeman 
Moses  Field 
Nathan  '1  Cudworth 
Edmund  H.  Smith 
Manoah  D.  Miller 
E.  M.  Burnham 
Caleb  Smith 
Samuel  Fish 
Amherst  Lamb 
Foster  Hartwell 
Samuel  Kingsbury 
Joseph  C.  Foster 
J.  H.  Crowley 
Norman  Clark 
George  B.  Bliss 


Chapter  XIV 

LATER  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CHURCHES  IN  THE 
WINDHAM  ASSOCIATION 

Guilford 

The  four  pioneer  churches  of  Guilford  were  comparatively 
short-lived,  but  as  leaders  among  those  who  sought  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  land  for  Christ,  they  hold  an  honorable  position  in  the 
history  of  Vermont  Baptists.  Jeremiah  Packer,  during  his  pastor- 
ate of  nineteen  years,  received  one  hundred  persons  into  the  First 
church.  Among  the  number  he  baptized  was  Samuel  Fish,  who  be- 
came a  devoted  and  successful  minister  of  the  Gospel.  Matthew 
Bennett  was  licensed  by  this  church. 

The  names  of  some  of  the  members  of  this  early  church  can  be 
gathered  from  the  list  of  the  delegates  to  the  Leyden  Association, 
to  which  this  church  seldom  failed  to  report  itself. 

These  are  some  of  them:  Matthew  Bennett,  John  Burrows, 
Jeremiah  Packer,  John  Noyes,  Jabes  Franklin,  Solomon  Williams, 
Levi  Goodenough,  Aaron  Wilder,  Deacon  Simeon  Barnjes,  Benja- 
min Franklin,  David  Gaines,  Paul  Green,  Isaac  Noyes,  Samuel 
Fish,  Deacon  Solomon  Smith,  John  Everett,  Joseph  Weatherhead, 
Isaac  Brown,  Uriah  Thayer,  Deacon  Wilham  Holmes,  Jr.,  Philip 
Barnes,  Cyrus  Carpenter. 

The  Second  church  attained  a  membership  of  ninety-seven  in 
its  short  history  of  nineteen  years.  Whitman  Jacobs,  pastor,  was 
originally  from  Thompson,  Conn.,  where  he  was  pastor  twenty 
years.  A  part  of  his  church,  removing  to  Royalston,  Mass.,  he 
went  with  them  and  was  installed  pastor  of  the  new  church  in 
December,  1770.  He  was  dismissed  from  there  in  1786,  and  soon 
after  came  to  Guilford.  Simeon  Snow  succeeded  him  in  1798.  His 
pastorate  was  short,  as  in  1800,  this  church  united  with  the  Third 


196  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

church  to  form  a  new  one.  Some  of  the  ^embers  of  this  church  were 
Edward  Barney,  John  B.  Carpenter,  Berriah  WiUis,  Benjamin 
Carpenter,  Paul  Chase  and  Benjamin  Bucklin. 

The  Third  church,  organized  in  1782,  and  united  with  the 
Second  in  1800,  gave  to  the  Baptist  ministry  Rev.  Joseph  Carpen- 
ter, who  became  a  successful  pastor  in  Ira. 

The  Fourth  church,  organized  in  1797,  and  extinct  in  1821,  was 
never  large,  its  largest  membership  being  fifty -two,  but  it  licensed 
two  of  its  members  who  were  afterward  ordained.  These  were 
Joseph  Packer,  and  Samuel  Fish,  Jr.  Mr.  Fish  gave  the  following 
estimate  of  his  pastor:  "My  old  pastor.  Elder  Benjamin  Bucklin, 
was  somewhat  peculiar.  He  was  a  blacksmith  and  a  farmer.  He  had 
a  good  share  of  common  sense  and  judgment,  as  well  as  a  good 
measure  of  the  Spirit  of  Jesus.  He  was  quite  illiterate  but  acquired 
a  good  property.  When  asked  once  by  a  man  of  considerable  note 
how  he  preached,  he  replied,  T  try  to  persuade  the  people  to  do 
better. '  "  When  the  church  disbanded  he  became  a  member  of  the 
United  church,  and  was  its  pastor  in  1821.  He  died  in  Guilford, 
May  3,  1838,  at  the  advanced  age  of  eighty -four  years. 

Some  of  the  members  of  this  church  were  Edward  Barney, 
Joseph  Gallop,  Noah  Shepardson,  Isaac  Goodspeed,  Enos  Martin, 
John  Green,  Edward  Green,  Thomas  Barber,  Joseph  Gary,  Joel 
Bolster  and  Alpheus  Clark. 

The  United  church  of  Guilford,  eldest  of  our  churches  east  of 
the  mountains,  had  a  meeting  June  19,  1800,  and  chose  Deacon 
Bucklin,  moderator,  and  Cyrus  Carpenter,  clerk.  Chose  Deacon 
Bucklin,  Jacol)  Stoddard,  Samuel  Nichols  and  Paul  Chase  to  serve 
as  deacons.  Took  into  consideration  some  things  relative  to  sing- 
ing, and  voted  to  sing  the  old  way,  viz.,  by  lining.  The  next  year 
they  voted  to  sing  without  lining.  Lewis  Allen  succeeded  Elder 
Snow  as  pastor  and  was  ordained  in  1806,  continuing  pastor  till 
1816,  when  he  was  followed  by  Jonathan  Wilson,  who  served  until 
1821.  During  Elder  Wilson's  ministry  a  powerful  revival  was  en- 
joyed and  about  fifty  were  added  to  the  church,  two  of  whom  be- 
came ministers,  namely,  Amherst  Lamb  and  Ira  Stoddard.  Ira 
Stoddard  removed  to  the  State  of  New  York  where  he  was  ordained 
and  preached  to  a  Baptist  church  in  Eden  in  1830,  and  afterward 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  197 

removed  to  Jamestown.  Amherst  Lamb  was  ordained  by  this 
church  as  an  evangelist  on  November  28,  1821,  became  its  pastor, 
and  served  six  years.  Asa  Hibbard  was  pastor  in  1827.  Beginning 
in  ApriJ,  1828,  Mansfield  Bruce  and  Benjamin  Bucklin  preached 
alternately  for  several  years,  and  their  united  ministry  was  blessed; 
the  church  grew  in  numbers  and  strength.  In  1830,  it  numbered 
one  hundred  and  twenty-seven  members.  A  succession  of  short 
pastorates  followed : 

Joseph  Gambell,  1832;  Daniel  Grant,  1833;  Mansfield  Bruce 
again,  1834;  Alden  B.  Eggleston,  1835,  two  years;  A.  Burbank, 
1837,  one  year;  James  Parsons,  1838;  Milo  Frary,  1840,  two  years; 
E.  H.  Smith,  1842,  six  years;  Geo.  B.  Bills,  1848;  S.  S.  Kingsley, 
1849,  three  years;  H.  Archibald,  1852,  three  years;  John  Hunt, 
1855;  Joseph  Mitchell,  1856,  two  years;  J.  P.  Huntington,  1859, 
two  years;  George  Carpenter,  1861,  two  and  a  half  years;  Jonas 
Bennett,  1863. 

During  the  first  sixty-six  years  of  its  life,  this  church  had 
twenty-one  pastors,  three  of  whom  were  ordained  by  itself,  besides 
one  of  its  number,  Nathan  G.  Collins,  who  was  ordained  an  evan- 
gelist, August  27,  1840.  In  1818,  the  church  erected  a  meeting- 
house at  a  cost  of  $1200.00.     In  1844,  it  secured  a  parsonage. 

During  the  thirty  years  from  1860  to  1890,  the  church  main- 
tained a  membership  of  between  sixty  and  seventy  members,  oc- 
casionally attaining  a  higher  figure.  The  policy  or  necessity  of  brief 
pastorates  was  broken  in  1873,  when  Origen  Smith  began  a  term  of 
about  six  years,  followed  by  C.  S.  Sherman  for  a  term  of  more  than 
ten  years.  Since  1895,  short  pastorates  have  been  again  the  rule. 
G.  F.  Beecher,  1895-1896;  L.  H.  Morse,  1899-1902;  J.  E.  Irving, 
1903;  James  Jones,  1904-1906;  Thomas  Sparks,  1907;  N.  F.  Powell, 
1909;  E.  Hatfield,  1910.  During  this  period  the  membership 
dropped  below  thirty,  but  recent  ingatherings  have  raised  it  to 
sixty  in  1911. 

Halifax 

Following  the  close  of  Elder  Hall's  pastorate,  the  church  was 
supplied  by  Asa  Jacobs,  beloved  of  all  and  very  successful.  In  1814, 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Paul  Himes,  a  zealous  and  devoted  minister,  became  pastor,  and 
served  seven  years.  He  left  the  church  and  society  badly  divided. 
In  1821,  Elder  Samuel  Fish  took  charge  and  brought  the  church  into 
harmony.  A  work  of  grace  soon  began  in  which  more  than  fifty  put 
on  Christ  by  baptism.  In  1842,  there  came  another  refreshing  and 
continued  nearly  two  years.  Father  Fish's  pastorate  continued 
thirty  years,  during  which  time  he  had  the  entire  confidence  of  the 
people.  Up  to  1853,  few  country  churches  have  been  equally  blest. 
Then  came  an  unfortunate  controversy  in  relation  to  the  location 
of  a  new  house  of  worship.  This  resulted  in  the  division  of  the 
church  and  the  building  of  two  meeting-houses.  After  the  division, 
the  church  proper  located  its  meeting-house  in  the  west  part  of  the 
town,  and  was  known  as  the  West  Halifax  church,  while  the  other 
branch  was  called  the  Halifax  Center  church.  William  N.  Fay  was 
called  to  the  pastorate  of  the  West  church.  He  was  succeeded  in 
1853,  by  G.  O.  Atkinson  and  S.  A.  Blake  in  1862.  Samuel  Fish  was 
pastor  of  the  Center  church  wdth  brief  interruption  until  1873,  when 
Horace  Fowler  began  supplying  both  churches.  This  plan  continued 
for  the  most  of  the  time  till  1885,  when  a  union  of  the  two  churches 
was  accomplished,  and  though  meetings  continued  to  be  held  in 
both  meeting-houses,  there  was  no  division,  both  bodies  co- 
operating as  one.  W  hile  separated,  the  branches  were  of  about  equal 
strength,  the  membership  of  each  beginning  at  about  sixty  members 
and  waning  to  about  twenty. 

Since  the  union  was  accomplished  the  church  has  prospered 
under  the  ministry  of  A.  W.  Goodnow,  1887-1822;  A.  A.  Smith, 
1893-1897;  S.  J.  Smith,  1898-1901;  J.  E.  Berry,  1902-1905;  W.  J. 
Vile,  1905-1907;  W.  M.  Hitchcock,  1908.  The  membership  last 
reported  was  thirty-six. 

Brookline 

For  several  years  after  its  organization  the  Brookline  church 
had  no  settled  pastor.  From  time  to  time  some  brother  was  invited 
to  improve  his  gifts  and  conduct  public  services.  June  2,  1802, 
Amos  Beckwith  was  ordained  pastor,  and  Lemuel  Blandin  and  John 
Blandin,  deacons.    The  church  having  no  house  of  worship,  these 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  199 

ordaining  services  were  held  in  Josiah  Taft's  new  barn;  the  record 
says:  "with  decency,  order  and  great  solemnity."  Mr.  Beckwith's 
pastorate  was  short,  not  exceeding  a  year  and  a  half.  Isaac  Well- 
man  was  the  next  pastor  to  be  ordained.  November  3,  1908.  His 
pastorate  was  twelve  years ;  his  salary  ranged  from  forty  to  seventy- 
five  dollars.  His  other  source  of  income  was  a  farm  of  eighty  acres, 
which  he  owned  and  cultivated.  Two  revivals  occurred  under  his 
administration,  one  in  1810,  when  forty  were  added  by  baptism,  and 
the  other  in  1817,  of  about  the  same  extent.  About  1822  there  was, 
in  Windham  County,  quite  an  extensive  reaction  against  the  ex- 
treme Calvinistic  doctrines  in  favor  of  the  sentiments  of  the  Free 
Baptists,  and  Isaac  Wellman  renounced  restricted  communion,  and 
was  welcomed  by  the  Free  Baptists.  A  council  was  called  and 
denominational  and  church  fellowship  withdrawn  from  Mr.  Well- 
man.  This  action  was  due  solely  to  the  church's  devotion  to  its 
principles,  for  they  loved  their  pastor  very  much.  Two  years  later 
Mr.  Wellman  returned,  renounced  open  communion,  confessed  his 
error,  and  was  fully  restored  by  the  church. 

David  Cutler  was  ordained  pastor,  August  25,  1827,  and  his 
pastorate  was  a  harvest  of  souls.  At  last,  however,  a  grievous  trial 
grew  out  of  the  sale  of  a  horse  by  Jesse  Gray  to  Elder  Cutler,  that 
threatened  the  destruction  of  the  church,  but  by  the  aid  of  a  coun- 
cil, harmony  was  restored.  In  1827,  the  churches  of  East  and  North 
Townshend  were  formed,  and  about  seventy  members  of  the  Brook- 
line  church  were  dismissed  by  letter  for  this  purpose,  reducing  its 
membership  nearly  one-half.  Denzel  Crane  was  ordained  in  Janu- 
ary, 1837,  and  on  the  same  day  the  new  meeting-house  was  dedi- 
cated. A  tragic  incident  occurred  during  the  erection  of  this  meet- 
ing-house. At  the  raising  of  the  belfry,  the  wall  being  brick,  the 
west  bent  of  the  belfry  was  raised  and  stayed,  and  as  the  men  com- 
menced to  lift  the  second  bent,  the  supporters  of  the  work  gave  way, 
and  precipitated  forty  men  a  distance  of  nearly  twenty  feet  below, 
among  the  fallen  timbers  and  boards.  The  jar  of  the  falling  tim- 
bers loosened  the  stay  of  the  bent  that  was  raised,  and  that  started 
downward,  too,  but  seemingly  by  the  hand  of  Providence,  it  was 
stopped  by  a  projecting  brick.  Had  this  fallen  upon  the  heads  of 
the  men  below,  many  would  have  been  killed.  As  it  was,  six  men 
were  seriously  injured. 


200  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  the  spring  of  1841,  Samuel  Kingsbury,  Jr.,  of  Windham, 
was  called  to  the  pastorate.  A  revival  followed  and  thirty-one  were 
baptized.  Mr.  Kingsbury  continued  pastor  till  the  spring  of  1849. 
In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  this  devoted  servant  of  God,  his 
wife  and  three  children,  all  died  within  two  weeks.  In  Mr.  Kings- 
bury's pastorate,  the  church  attained  its  highest  membership,  one 
hundred  and  ten. 

During  the  next  decade,  Rufus  Smith  and  C.  B.  Smith  were 
the  only  pastors.  C.  B.  Smith,  then  principal  of  Leland  and  Gray 
academy,  was  ordained  February,  1855,  and  during  his  service 
nineteen  were  added  and  the  Sunday  school  was  specially  prosper- 
ous. In  the  next  decade,  J.  P.  Huntington  and  Sem  Pierce  had  very 
brief  terms  of  service,  and  C.  Farrar  one  of  about  seven  years. 
Twenty-two  were  received  to  membership  under  his  ministry,  and 
the  house  of  w^orship  greatly  improved,  largely  through  the  efficiency 
of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Farrar.  Up  to  1871,  about  five  hundred  different 
members  had  belonged  to  this  church.  Meanwhile,  there  had  been 
constant  drain  upon  it  by  deaths  and  removals,  the  number  dis- 
missed by  letter  largely  exceeding  those  received  in  that  manner. 
Sometimes  for  years  together  the  church  was  pastorless,  but  still 
mamtained  its  discipline  and  observed  the  ordinances,  and  though 
called  to  pass  through  severe  trials,  maintained  its  steadfastness. 
The  roll  of  pastors  since  1871,  when  the  historical  sketch  was  pub- 
lished in  the  minutes,  is  as  follows:  W.  A.  A.  Millerd,  J.  D.  Dono- 
van, C.  D.  Fuller,  C.  Farrar,  I.  D.  Burwell,  H.  V.  Baker,  Alvin 
Parker,  O.  J.  Taylor,  I.  M.  Compton,  Geo.  H.  Nickerson,  W.  Brew- 
ster, G.  H.  Chambers,  W.  C.  Sunbury,  C.  E.  Child,  H.  S.  Metcalf, 
H.  S.  McHale.     Resident  membership  in  1912,  nineteen. 

DUMMERSTON 

Sometime  in  1801,  Elder  Goddard  took  his  leave  and  for  a  short 
time  the  flock  was  without  an  undershepherd.  Jonathan  Huntley 
was  ordained  in  1802.  A  meeting-house  was  erected  the  next  year 
at  a  cost  of  $1200.  Asahel  Wells  was  ordained  October  5,  1815, 
and  the  great  revival  of  1816  followed,  when  eighty-seven  were 
baptized.    The  church  attained  the  number  of  two  hundred  mem- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  201 

bers.  Then  dissension  arose  over  the  reception  of  a  member  who 
had  been  excluded,  causing  a  division  in  the  body.  A  council  led 
to  mutual  confession  and  settlement  of  the  trouble.  Then  Elder 
Huntley  asked  for  his  dismission,  which  was  soon  granted  him.  At 
the  same  time  seventy -two  members  asked  for  and  obtained  letters 
of  dismission  and  were  organized  into  a  church  called  the  Second 
Baptist  Church  in  Dummerston.  They  placed  Elder  Jonathan  Hunt- 
ley over  them  as  pastor,  and  enjoyed  his  labors  during  the  existence 
of  the  church.  Nothing  notable  occurred  with  them  till  1827,  when 
a  revival  in  Putney  commenced  in  a  remarkable  way  and  spread 
through  the  whole  region,  and  twenty-one  were  added  to  this 
church,  bringing  its  membership  to  ninety-eight.  The  First  church 
were  without  a  pastor  for  a  time,  till  July,  1819,  they  obtained  the 
services  of  Levi  Dunham  for  two  years,  then  had  preaching  only 
part  of  the  time,  till  the  revival  already  mentioned,  under  the  in- 
fluence of  which  the  two  churches  reunited,  forming  a  church  of 
one  hundred  and  forty-four  members  with  Elder  Huntley,  pastor; 
Deacons  Jesse  Manley,  Luke  Taylor  and  Ohver  Carpenter  to  stand 
as  deacons,  and  Joel  Chandler  as  clerk. 

A  revival  in  1830,  turned  an  ebbing  tide  and  added  thirty-seven 
to  the  membership.  In  1834,  Elder  Jonathan  Huntley  died.  May 
27,  after  laboring  in  this  field  thirty-two  years. 

The  church  revised  its  roll  this  year,  and  the  number  was  found 
to  be  one  hundred  and  fourteen.  Ziba  Howard  was  ordained  No- 
vember 25,  1835,  and  his  services  enjoyed  till  1839.  Edmund  H. 
Smith  followed  him. 

For  twenty  years  following,  the  church  suffered  decline.  Most 
of  the  time  it  was  pastorless,  and  failed  to  send  letters  to  the  As- 
sociation. In  1859,  the  church  rallied  and  built  a  meeting-house  at 
a  cost  of  $1700.  Pastors  were  then  secured,  not  for  long  terms,  but 
sufficient  to  supply  preaching  at  least  part  of  the  time.  H.  B. 
Streeter,  in  1860;  J.  M.  Mace,  1862;  Mark  Carpenter,  1865.  The 
tide  of  prosperity  seemed  to  be  rising;  twenty-seven  were  added  by 
baptism  and  letter.  J.  G.  Bennett  served  two  years,  1868-1869. 
In  1870,  while  without  a  pastor,  twenty-one  were  added  and  the 
membership  was  seventy-four.  Short  pastorates  or  seasons  of  sup- 
plies followed  for  two  decades:  S.  S.  White,  M.  L.  Fox,  F.  E.  Car- 


202  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

penter,  D.  W.  Palmer,  A.  N.  Woodruff,  M.  Carpenter,  C.  J.  Wilson, 
C.  R.  Powers,  A.  D.  Spaulding,  E.  F.  Mitchell,  E.  P.  Merrifield, 
S.  Bickford,  I.  M.  Compton,  L.  H.  Kimball,  T.  H.  Langley,  J.  A. 
Swart,  Miles  G.  Tupper,  C.  E.  Clark.  The  recent  supplies  have 
been  from  churches,  by  the  encouragement  and  help  of  the  State 
Convention,  which  assumed  the  care  of  this  church.  Member- 
ship in  1912,  thirteen. 

PoNDviLLE  (Formerly  Marlboro  and  Newfane) 

Nehemiah  Fisher,  who  was  deacon  in  1802,  was  licensed  to 
preach  in  1809,  and  proved  a  most  valuable  helper  of  the  church, 
for  many  years  supplying  the  pulpit  acceptably  in  the  interim  be- 
tween pastorates.  In  1806,  twenty-one  converts  were  baptized, 
one  of  whom  was  Mansfield  Bruce,  who  was  promptly  appointed 
deacon, and  three  years  later  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church,  serv- 
ing faithfully  till  1818,  and  welcoming  to  the  church,  by  baptism, 
eighty-five  happy  converts.  Paul  Himes  was  next  pastor,  serving 
but  two  years  and  baptizing  forty-three  persons.  October  24,  1824, 
Phineas  Howe  began  his  remarkable  pastorate,  marked  by  recurring 
revi\als  and  the  baptism  of  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five 
persons.  Among  these  was  one  man  ninety-seven  years  of  age  who 
had  waited  sixty-seven  years  to  become  fit  for  the  ordinance.  With 
the  exception  of  three  years,  1832-1835,  when  D.  H.  Grant  and  other 
licentiates  suppUed,  Elder  Howe  served  till  1842.  About  1840,  a 
new  meeting-house  was  built  and  the  location  changed  to  Pondville. 
This  change  caused  dissatisfaction  in  part  and  some  of  the  members 
for  a  time  held  a  separate  meeting.  Caleb  Smith  supplied  in  1843; 
Foster  Hartwell  was  pastor,  1844-1848;  C.  L.  Baker,  supplied  in 
1849;  A.  W.  Stearns,  pastor,  1850-1853;  J.  P.  Huntington,  1853- 
1856;  I.  C.  Carpenter,  1856-1862;  C.  D.  Fuller,  1862-1864;  J.  M. 
Wilmarth  1864-1867;  S.  S.  White  1868-1871.  From  1802  to  1871 
four  hundred  were  received  to  this  church  by  baptism;  eight  were 
licensed  to  preach,  and  eight  deacons  appointed. 

Since  1871,  the  list  of  pastors  is  as  follows:  J.  A.  Rich,  1872- 
1873;  A.  J.  W^alker,  1874-1875;  W.  Beavins,  1876-1878;  L.  F.  Shep- 
ardson,  1879-1881;  W.  Crocker,  1881-1884;  G.  N.  Green,  1885; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  203 

E.  F.  Mitchell,  1886-1889;  E.  H.  Hatfield,  1890-1893;  I.  F.  Coops, 
1894-1895;  F.  S.  Bickford,  1896-1901;  J.  H.  Langley,  1902;  J.  A. 
Swart,  1905;  M.  S.  Tupper,  1906;  E.  C.  Clark,  1907-1911.  The 
membership  was  one  hundred  and  twenty  in  1886;  eighty-four  in 
1896,  and  sixty-five  in  1912. 

Dover 

John  Thompson,  Isaac  Laselle  and  Ebenezer  Sears,  were  prob- 
ably the  first  Baptists  in  Dover,  coming  there  about  1786.  Elder 
Aaron  Leland,  of  Chester,  soon  heard  of  them  and  came  to  preach 
for  them  occasionally.  Elder  Combs  came  also,  now  and  then,  and 
about  1789,  baptized  Jane  Sears,  Mary  Staples  and  Priscilla 
Thompson,  the  first  to  be  baptized  in  this  place.  In  1798,  there  was 
quite  a  general  awakening  under  the  preaching  of  James  Davis, 
a  Congregational  minister.  By  1814,  there  were  a  sufficient  num- 
ber of  Baptists  to  warrant  the  organization  of  a  church  and  this  was 
accomplished  on  October  4  of  that  year. 

The  constituent  members  were  Ebenezer  Sears,  Lemuel 
Osgood,  Silas  Babbitt,  Thomas  McDaniels,  Jonathan  Thompson, 
Oliver  Carpenter,  Abida  Doan,  Simeon  Jones,  Calvin  Orcutt, 
Jonathan  Woods,  Isaac  Laselle,  Jane  Sears,  Priscilla  Thompson, 
Deborah  Burr,  Betsy  Gould,  Susan  Dean,  Jane  Gould,  Hulda 
Gould,  Lydia  McDaniels,  Tirza  McDaniels,  Patty  Carpenter, 
Lydia  Orcutt. 

According  to  an  historical  sketch,  prepared  in  1841,  by  Ahira 
Gould  and  Isaac  Laselle,  the  church  up  to  that  time  had  no  leader 
whom  they  regarded  as  a  settled  pastor,  but  had  many  ministers 
who  preached  a  third  of  the  time  or  perhaps  only  a  few  Sundays. 
George  Robinson  is  the  first  minister  mentioned.  Others  who  sup- 
plied were  Calvin  Orcutt,  a  licentiate,  under  whose  preaching  the 
membership  of  the  church  was  nearly  doubled;  Calvin  Pratt,  a 
licentiate;  Sem  Pierce,  James  Mann,  D.  H.  Grant,  Mansfield 
Bruce,  G.  B.  Fisk,  Samuel  Kingsbury,  A.  W.  Goodnow. 

For  nineteen  years,  the  church  was  supplied  one-third  of  the 
time  by  pastors  in  the  Association.  Origen  Smith  preached  his 
first  sermon  to  this  people  July  6,  1852,  and  continued  to  be  the 


204  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

pastor  till  the  close  of  the  year,  1872,  twenty  and  one-half  years. 
Four  revivals  made  this  pastorate  memorable.  In  one  of  these  there 
were  baptisms  ten  successive  Sundays,  and  ninety-two  were  ad- 
ded ;  sixty -three  by  baptism.  At  the  close  of  Elder  Smith 's  ministry, 
the  church  numbered  seventy -five. 

For  a  time  there  was  a  decline  in  the  growth  of  the  church,  and 
fifteen  years  later  the  membership  had  been  reduced  to  forty -nine ; 
then  came  renewed  gro\\i:h  and  in  six  years  the  report  was  fifty- 
four,  and  one  year  later  it  was  seventy -four.  Since  that  time  the 
membership  has  diminished  till  in  1912,  it  was  fifty-three. 

In  1829,  fourteen  members  were  added  from  the  west  part  of 
the  to\\Ti,  as  a  branch  church,  having  all  the  privileges  of  a  church 
save  the  power  to  exclude  members.  It  is  believed  that  these  mem- 
bers were  the  remnant  of  the  Somerset  church,  sometimes  called  the 
Dover  and  Somerset  church,  which  was  formed  in  1791,  united  with 
the  Shaftsbury  Association  in  1792,  and  changed  its  relation  to  the 
Ley  den  in  1794.  Their  first  and  only  pastor  was  James  Mann,  who 
settled  with  them  about  1812.  He  was  still  their  pastor  when  they 
united  with  the  Dover  church.  After  the  union  he  became  pastor 
of  the  two  parts  for  two  years.  In  1832,  a  committee  of  investiga- 
tion was  sent  to  the  branch  church,  upon  whose  report  it  was  voted 
"to  disapprobate  Elder  J.  Mann's  conduct  as  unwholesome,  and 
dropt  him  and  them  as  a  branch. "  This  is  the  last  we  hear  of  the 
Somerset  Baptist  church. 

This  disapprobation  is  explained  by  the  fact  that  James  Mann, 
in  1821,  became  dissatisfied  with  Calvinism  and  close  communion, 
and  the  church  voted  in  May  of  that  year  that  salvation  was  pro- 
vided for  all  men,  and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  instituted  for  all 
christians.  David  Marks,  visiting  them  about  that  time,  found  their 
sentiments  in  harmony  with  those  of  the  Free  Baptists,  and  led 
the  Dover  branch  to  join  that  denomination  and  to  give  its  name 
to  a  small  quarterly  meeting. 

Jamaica 

The  town  was  settled  in  1775;  chartered  in  1780;  organized  in 
1781.  In  January,  1789,  Calvin  Howard  became  the  first  convert 
to  Baptist  principles  and  was  baptized  at  the  mouth  of  the  Turkey 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  205 

Mountain  brook  in  November,  by  Elder  Aaron  Leland,  of  Chester, 
who  at  this  time  led  the  first  meeting  held  in  town.  Often  after 
this  he  returned  to  hold  meetings  and  baptize  converts.  In  1790,  a 
Baptist  church  was  gathered,  the  first  in  the  town,  by  Aaron  Leland. 
It  was  large  from  the  beginning,  and  Calvin  Howa^-d  was  chosen  its 
first  deacon.  Though  without  a  regular  preacher,  and  dependent 
upon  transient  supplies,  yet  it  seems  to  have  prospered  as  it  sent 
out  a  colony  as  early  as  October  of  this  year,  when  the  West  Wards- 
boro  church  was  organized. 

Elder  Leland  was  instrumental  in  gathering  this  church  also, 
and  while  he  was  moderator  of  the  council  that  recognized  it,  one 
John  Dye  %  a  prominent  member  of  the  Jamaica  church,  was  clerk. 
In  1793,  the  Jamaica  church  united  with  the  Wardsboro  church, 
securing  the  services  of  Elder  Simeon  Coombs,  who  divided  his  time 
between  these  churches  for  the  next  ten  years,  with  his  residence 
in  Wardsboro.  After  contributing  members  to  help  form  the  Wards- 
boro church,  in  1792,  there  remained  twenty-six  members  in  this 
church.  In  1796,  a  branch  of  this  church  was  established  at  West 
Townshend.  This  branch  became  an  independent  body  in  1810  and 
was  extinct  in  1845.  In  1797,  the  membership  was  forty-six,  having 
gained  twenty  in  two  years,  which  indicates  unusual  prosperity  in 
so  sparse  a  settlement.  The  year  closing  October  1,  1801,  seems  to 
have  been  a  very  prosperous  one,  as  they  reported  to  the  Associa- 
tion that  year  that  there  had  been  no  diminutions  by  death  or 
removals,  but  an  addition  of  forty -nine.  Such  large  accession  in 
a  year's  time  indicates  a  large  revival,  and  possibly  large  increase  of 
settlers.  In  1803,  Elder  Coombs  became  possessed  of  one-half  the 
ministerial  land,  his  portion  being  one  of  the  most  valuable  in  town, 
consisting  of  one  hundred  and  four  acres.  The  meeting-house,  par- 
sonage, cemetery  and  common,  occupy  a  part  of  it,  and  these  por- 
tions were  given  church  and  towTi  when  Elder  Coombs  retired  from 
the  pastorate  of  the  church.  June  27,  1803,  by  vote  of  the  town 
in  town  meeting  assembled,  Calvin  Howard  and  others  associated 
with  him,  were  constituted  a  legal  Baptist  society.  September  21, 
of  the  same  year,  the  Wardsboro  church  gave  Elder  Coombs  and 
his  wife  a  letter  of  dismission  to  the  Jamaica  church,  to  which  he 
afterwards  gave  his  undivided  time.    1804,  the  total  membership 


206  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

of  the  church  was  ninety-three.  In  1805,  Elder  Coombs  closed  a 
prosperous  pastorate  of  twelve  years,  and  returned  to  Massa- 
chusetts, 

Elder  Coombs  sprung  from  the  Third  Baptist  church  in 
Middleboro,  Mass.,  and  removed  to  Montague  in  the  same  state  in 
1791,  where  he  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in  November 
of  that  year.  From  Montague  he  removed  to  Wardsboro,  Vt., 
residing  there  ten  years.  He  came  to  this  town  to  reside  in  1803 
and  remained  two  years.  The  remainder  of  his  life,  fifteen  years, 
he  spent  in  Massachusetts.  In  his  early  life  he  had  been  a  soldier 
under  General  Sullivan  and  was  in  at  least  one  hard-fought  battle 
in  Rhode  Island.  During  the  last  years  of  his  life  he  spent  from 
four  to  six  months  annually  in  the  employ  of  the  Massachusetts 
Baptist  Missionary  Society,  when  he  would  take  long  preaching 
tours  in  destitute  regions. 

The  later  history  of  this  church  cannot  be  given  in  detail. 
Elder  Coombs  was  succeeded  in  the  pastorate  by  Elders  Choate, 
Shumway,  Baker,  P.  B.  Fisk,  Graves,  Bruler,  Robinson,  Chamber- 
lain, T.  Blood,  Nathan  Arras,  Leland  Huntley.  In  1842,  the  mem- 
bership was  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven,  when  N.  Cudworth  be- 
came pastor.  A  revival  blessed  his  labors,  and  in  1843,  there  were 
baptisms  on  eleven  successive  Sundays.  The  pastor  was  assisted 
by  Nelson  Jones  and  M.  D.  Miller.  Seventy -five  were  added  to  the 
church;  seventy -one  by  baptism.  Mr.  Cudworth  remained  till 
1844,  and  was  followed,  in  1847,  by  Norman  Clark,  I.  H.  Wood, 
A.  H.  Steams.  In  1857,  under  the  ministry  of  R.  Meyers, 
assisted  by  Evangelist  Peacock,  sixty-two  were  added  to 
the  church;  fifty-three  by  baptism.  Mr.  Meyers'  pastorate  con- 
tinued till  1864.  J.  H.  Wood,  S.  S.  White  and  C.  P.  Frenyear  suc- 
ceeded him.  Mr.  Frenyear 's  work  was  fruitful  of  results  in  co ver- 
sion, and  additions,  in  1870,  of  thirty-eight  and  others  at  intervals, 
till  1875,  when  his  health  somewhat  failing,  he  removed  to  Towns- 
hend,  J.  H.  Parmelee,  Rufus  Smith,  D,  F.  Safford,  W.  S.  Walker, 
E.  B.  Earle,  James  Nobbs,  S.  H.  Taylor,  J.  F.  Blacklock,  E.  H. 
and  McEwen,  F.  Dressier,  D.  S.  ISIulhern,  F,  C.  Brewster,  bring  the 
list  of  pastors  to  date,  1912.     Membership,  fifty-one. 


Deacon  Jacob  Estey 

Organ  manufacturer,  Brattleboro 

A  benefactor  of  many  Vermont  Baptist  Churches 

Born,  1814— Died,  1890 


history  or  the  baptists  in  vermont  207 

Brattleboro 

In  the  year  1840,  at  the  beginning  of  that  disastrous  decade 
when  many  of  our  churches  were  becoming  extinct,  a  new  and 
promising  church  came  into  being  in  the  growing  village  of  Brattle- 
boro. The  rise  of  this  church  was  rapid.  During  the  winter  and 
spring  special  meetings  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Emerson  Andrews. 
These  were  blessed  to  the  community,  and  many  were  converted. 
Twenty -three  Baptists  united  in  covenant  relation  April  2,  1840. 
Before  the  church  was  publicly  recognized.  May  6,  the  number  of 
members  had  increased  to  sixty-six,  and  when  it  was  received  into 
the  Windham  Association  on  the  16th  of  the  following  September, 
it  reported  eighty -three  members.  Within  a  year  the  church  erected 
a  meeting-house  at  a  cost  of  $2700,  the  burden  of  which  fell  heavily 
on  three  or  four  members  of  the  building  committee. 

Rev.  Joseph  Freeman  was  chosen  first  pastor,  but  resigned 
after  four  months,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  Moses  Field,  whose 
frail  health  compelled  him  to  resign  after  two  years '  service. 

The  financial  resources  of  the  church  at  the  beginning  were 
small.  The  first  year  they  raised  $200,  and  received  from  the  sister 
churches  of  Windham  and  Woodstock  Associations  about  $150. 
The  State  Convention,  recognizing  the  promise  and  courage  of  this 
new  church,  made  small  appropriations  annually  for  nine  years, 
the  whole  amount  being  about  $350.  Meanwhile,  the  church 
had  been  manifesting  praiseworthy  liberality  in  the  support  of 
missions,  contributing,  during  the  time  of  their  dependence,  from 
$600  to  $700  for  various  objects  of  benevolence.  In  1847,  a  parson- 
age was  erected  at  a  cost  of  about  $1200. 

Rev.  J.  C.  Foster  was  pastor  from  1843  till  1856,  and  under  his 
wise  administration  the  church  overcame  many  obstacles  incident 
to  that  trying  period  of  its  history.  Rev.  P.  S.  Adams  was  the  next 
pastor.  During  the  first  year  of  his  short  pastorate  twenty  were  re- 
ceived by  baptism,  and  the  church  attained  a  membership  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty -nine.  Mark  Carpenter  followed  with  a  pastorate 
of  six  years.  Rev.  A.  Sher^nn  began  work  as  pastor  in  1865,  when 
the  church  enjoyed  another  revival  season,  and  planned  for  larger 
things  by  the  purchase  of  a  new  building  lot  at  a  cost  of  $16,000. 


208  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  period  from  1869  to  1876  was  one  of  remarkable  growth  and 
prosperity.  Large  annual  accessions  by  baptism  were  made,  especi- 
ally in  the  year  1872,  when  special  meetings  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  and  later  by  Rev.  J.  Tilson  and  Rev.  C.  J.  Swan, 
and  upward  of  one  hundred  were  received  by  baptism  and  letter. 
Rev.  J.  H.  Matteson  was  pastor  during  this  period,  and  at  the  time 
of  his  resignation,  the  church  numbered  four  hundred  and  seventy- 
six  members.  The  Methodist  chapel  in  West  Brattleboro  was  bought 
in  1872,  and  a  church  constituted  there  in  1874. 

Rev.  H.  Burchard  began  a  promising  ministry  in  1876,  which 
was  sadly  terminated  by  his  death  in  1880.  During  this  pastorate  a 
branch  was  organized  in  Putney  in  1874,  which  became  an  inde- 
pendent church  in  1883. 

The  church  has  continued  to  enjoy  uninterrupted  prosperity 
under  the  able  pastorates  of  Rev.  J.  B.  Gow,  1880-1883;  F.  E. 
Tower,  1883-1887;  F.  J.  Barry,  1887-1895;  L.  D.  Temple,  1895- 
1903;  G.  B.  Lawson,  1903-1909;  and  J.  R.  Gow. 

Several  features  have  marked  the  history  of  this  church  which 
account  in  part  for  its  prosperity.  Its  interest  in  missions  and  benev- 
olent enterprises  has  been  marked  from  the  first,  and  its  contribu- 
tions have  been  exceptionally  large.  At  intervals  it  has  availed 
itself  of  the  best  evangelistic  help  and  made  aggressive  efforts  for 
the  conversion  of  the  people,  and  these  efforts  have  been  signally 
blessed.  In  1892,  following  special  meetings  conducted  by  Dr. 
W.  A.  Davison,  seventy-two  were  received  bj'  baptism  and 
twenty-one  by  letter.  In  1908,  State  Evangelist  N.  T.  Hafer,  as- 
sisted, and  twenty -five  were  received  by  baptism  and  ten  by  letter. 

The  church  has  made  much  of  the  Sunday  school,  and  in  re- 
modelling its  house  of  worship,  provided  for  the  school  a  most  con- 
venient assembly  room  and  class  rooms.  Mr.  L.  W.  Hawley,  who 
has  held  the  office  of  Sunday  school  superintendent  for  more  than 
twenty-five  years,  has  proved  an  able  leader  in  this  important 
branch  of  church  work. 

In  the  membership  of  the  church  have  been  men  of  marked 
business  ability,  who  have  counted  it  a  privilege  to  advance  the 
interest  of  their  own  local  church,  and  to  promote  the  cause  of 
Christ  throughout  the  State  and  in  mission  lands.    Among  these, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  209 

appreciative  mention  may  be  made  of  Deacon  Jacob  Estey,  j  and 
his  son,  Julius  J.  Estey,  Gov.  L.  K.  Fuller  and  Dr.  H.  D.  Holton. 

Putney 

The  first  Baptists  in  Putney  were  Daniel  Jewett,  Abiel 
Fisher,  and  Timothy  Radway,  who  resided  in  town  a  few  years  be- 
fore the  establishment  of  a  church.  The  first  minister  to  preach 
here  was  David  Johnson.  The  Baptist  church  was  organized  No- 
vember 12,  1787.  The  original  members  were  Daniel  Jewett, 
Samuel  Bennett,  Timothy  Radway,  Maturin  Ballou,  Abiel  Fisher, 
Lucretia  Potter,  Lydia  Baldwin,  Margaret  Bennett  and  Elizabeth 
Winslow.  Their  first  minister  was  Maturin  Ballou.  First  deacons, 
Abiel  Fisher  and  Amos  Beckwith.  First  clerk,  Daniel  Jewett.  A 
house  of  worship  was  erected  in  1790.  In  1793,  Asa  Hibbard  was 
ordained  pastor.  Other  early  ministers  were  Amos  Beckwith, 
Jonathan  Huntley,  Josiah  Goddard,  Abiel  Fisher,  Lewis  Allen, 
George  Witherell,  Jonathan  Wilson,  Asahel  Wells,  Asahel  Wood, 
Nathaniel  McCulloch,  Isaac  Wellman,  Forrest  Moore,  Phineas 
Howe,  Joseph  Gambell,  Denzel  M.  Crane,  Ziba  Howard.  Their 
stay  with  the  church  varied  from  one  to  seven  years.  The  church 
has  been  called  to  part  ^dtli  three  ministers  by  death,  viz.,  Maturin 
Ballou,  Rev.  Asahel  Wood,  1825;  and  Ziba  Howard  aged  eighty- 
seven,  in  1841.  Seven  ministers  have  been  licensed  by  this  church: 
Amos  Beckr^'ith,  Abiel  Fisher,  Lewis  Allen,  Forrest  Moore,  Amariah 
Joy,  Nathaniel  Cudworth. 

A  new  meeting-house  was  erected  in  connection  with  other 
denominations  in  1836.  The  first  revival  season  was  under  the 
preaching  of  Maturin  Ballou,  when  some  forty  converts  were  bap- 
tized; the  second,  under  Josiah  Goddard  in  1811,  adding  forty- 
five;  third,  under  Joseph  Elliott  and  Mansfield  Bruce,  in  1817,  add- 
ed twenty-one;  fourth,  soon  after  the  death  of  Asahel  Wood,  1825, 
added  thirteen.  In  1827,  nineteen  were  added  under  Isaac  Well- 
man.  The  church  numbered  ninety-seven  in  1827.  Soon  after  1840 
the  church  began  to  decline  in  consequence  of  the  great  loss  of  mem- 
bers by  death  and  emigration,  and  in  1860  it  became  extinct. 


210  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  1877,  twenty  Baptists,  resident  in  Putney,  united  with  the 
Baptist  church  in  Brattleboro,  and  three  years  later  they  were 
organized  as  a  branch  church  with  eighteen  members,  and  were 
carefully  fostered  by  the  Brattleboro  people.  In  1880,  as  an  inde- 
pendent church,  they  called  and  ordained  Rev.  N.  D.  Parsons  as 
pastor.  For  several  years  their  services  were  held  in  the  Town  Hall. 
June  19,  1884,  they  were  publicly  recognized  as  a  Baptist  church. 
In  1885,  a  new  meeting-house  was  completed  in  the  erection  of 
which  they  were  substantially  aided  by  contributions  from  Deacons, 
Jacob  Estey,  Julius  Estey,  L.  K.  Fuller  and  others.  N.  D.  Parsons 
continued  with  them  till  1887  and  was  succeeded  in  1889  by  H.  M. 
Douglas,  who  served  five  years.  In  1892,  a  debt  of  $2,200,  which 
had  been  a  great  barrier  to  their  progress,  was  removed,  the  Estey 
Organ  Company  contributing  liberally  to  this  end.  E.  F.  Mitchell 
was  next  pastor,  1891-1899;  D.  J.  Pierce  served  one  year,  1901; 
E.  R.  Perkins,  1902-1904;  A.  S.  Buzzell,  1905;  H.  E.  Buffum,  1906- 
1908;  J.  E.  Berry,  1909. 

The  church  numbered  seventy-five  members  in  1912. 

Whitingham 

• 
The  first  Baptists,  resident  in  Whitingham,  were  Mr.  Day 
and  uife,  Caleb  Rider  and  wife,  Joseph  Cloden  and  wife.  The  first 
reformation  was  in  1 793,  under  the  preaching  of  an  aged  and  very 
pious  man  by  the  name  of  Williams,  of  the  Seventh  Day  Baptist 
order,  who  soon  died.  Most  of  those  converted  under  his  ministry 
soon  after  became  Methodists.  In  1795,  David  Lamb  came  to  the 
town  bj^  request  of  the  inhabitants  and  was  ordained,  but  did  not 
gather  a  church  and  soon  died.  He  was  a  Baptist.  In  1796,  David 
Fames,  Josiah  Brown,  Walter  Fames  and  Esther  Fames,  came  with 
letters  of  recommendation  from  the  Baptist  church  in  Temple, 
N.  H.  These  being  zealously  devoted  to  their  principles,  invited 
Baptist  ministers  to  preach  and  the  result  was  a  reformation  in 
1801.  Jonas  Brown  was  then  baptized  and  ordained  deacon.  A 
number  of  others  were  baptized.  In  1807,  Elder  George  Witherell 
led  in  christian  efforts  and  a  remarkable  outpouring  of  the  Spirit 
followed.    The  Baptist  church  was  organized  September  18,  1808. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  211 

The  original  members  were  Josiah  Brown,  William  Franklin, 
Joseph  Olden,  Walter  Eames,  Jonas  Brown,  James  Carpenter, 
Joseph  Brown,  Joel  B.  Eames.  Sisters:  Milicent  Browii,  Sarah 
Franklin,  Lean  Olden,  Susannah  Howe,  Lucy  Tarbell,  Katherine 
Eames,  Lois  Brown,  Esther  Eames,  Dorcas  Sabin,  Olive  Eames, 
Esther  Eames,  2nd.  October  17, 1809,  John  Spaulding  was  ordained 
pastor  and  preached  two  years.  After  this,for  a  time, they  were  sup- 
plied by  James  Carpenter,  a  licentiate;  Elder  Purinton,  Elder  Bruce, 
Elder  Haynes  and  some  others.  Linus  Austin  became  pastor  in 
1817,  on  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars.  He  was  ordained  January 
8,  1817,  and  continued  pastor  eight  years.  It  was  during  his  pas- 
torate that  Brother  David  Eames  sickened  and  died.  He  was  a  man 
of  remarkable  piety  and  a  force  in  the  church.  While  suffering  from 
the  disease  from  which  he  died  he  went  from  house  to  house  visiting 
all  the  members,  and  the  result  was  a  quickening  of  the  church  and 
the  conversion  of  many.  During  this  time  Russel  Brown,  George 
W.  Bacon,  William  G.  Brown,  Sophia  Brown  and  Francis  Beemis, 
all  went  to  Bennington  to  school  and  were  there  converted,  and  re- 
turned and  were  baptized.  Russel  Brown  went  to  college  and  died 
in  his  sophomore  year.  He  was  a  young  man  of  great  piety  and 
talent.  Aides  Brown  was  one  of  the  converts  at  this  time  and  after- 
ward became  deacon.  Nathan  Brown  was  also  a  member  at  this 
time,  who  afterward  became  missionary  to  Burma,  Assam  and 
Japan.  In  1824,  the  church  numbered  sixty-one  members,  twenty- 
eight  brothers  and  thirty-three  sisters.  Amherst  Lamb  closed  his 
first  pastorate  here  in  1836,  and  Tristram  Aldrich  served  a  year, 
followed  by  A.  B.  Eggleston,  who,  after  a  pastorate  of  a  year  and  a 
half,  joined  the  reformed  Methodists.  Sometime  about  1840,  he 
returned  to  the  Baptists  and  was  ordained  in  Plainfield,  Mass. 
Foster  Hartwell  was  next  pastor  for  six  years,  when  Amherst  Lamb 
began  a  second  pastorate  of  twelve  years.  The  church  continued 
to  be  the  leading  one  in  town.  October,  1857,  Erastus  Briggs  came 
from  Hinsdale,  and  was  ordained  the  following  January,  and  labored 
faithfully  till  his  death.  He  was  a  sincere  and  beloved  pastor.  He 
was  succeeded  September,  1861,  by  Thomas  Wrinkle  from  the 
Baptist  church  in  Colebrook,  Conn.  He  enlisted  in  the  army  Jan- 
uary 5th,  1864,  served  a  year  and  a  half,  returned,  and  was  dis- 


212  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

missed  to  the  church  in  Bernardston,  Mass.  T.  B.  Briggs  was 
next  pastor,  1865-1868;  S.  P.  Everett  ordained,  1870;  E.  D.  Hall, 
ordained,  1873;  J.  S.  Bennett,  1875-1876;  L.  Tandy,  1878-1878; 
Origen  Smith  was  pastor  from  June,  1879,  till  his  death  in  Decem- 
ber, 1884;  G.  Colesworthy  took  up  the  work,  1886-1889;  R.  G. 
Alger,  1893-1894;  E.  H.  BuflFum,  1895-1898;  E.  C.  Rood,  1899; 
R.  A.  Nichols,  1901-1903;  E.  O.  Croft,  1904;  I.  H.  Beeman,  1905- 
1907;  J.  P.  Dorst,  1908-1909;  Philip  Contois,  1910;  Frederic  Emer- 
son, 1912. 

The  Whitingham  church  had  a  membership  of  forty-three  in 
1912.  For  many  years  it  has  been  aided  by  the  State  Convention, 
without  which  it  would,  no  doubt,  have  been  unable  to  maintain  its 
work.  It  has  never  been  a  large  church,  its  highest  number  having 
been  eighty-eight  members  in  1843.  It  has  been  giving  valuable 
workers  to  other  fields,  and  maintaining  the  means  of  grace  in  a 
needy  field. 

Wilmington 

During  the  last  decade  of  the  eighteenth  century  some  of  the 
residents  in  Wilmington  had  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
Halifax,  then  under  the  ministry  of  Obed  Warren.  Soon  after — 
Mr.  Warren  removing  from  Halifax — these  members  were  granted 
letters  of  dismission  and  united  with  the  Somerset  church,  as  a 
branch.  These  members  usually  worshipped  with  the  Pedo-Bap- 
tist  churches  in  Wilmington.  Occasionally  they  enjoyed  the  min- 
istry of  some  minister  of  their  own  sentiments.  In  the  spring  of 
1806,  an  extensive  revival  prevailed  in  the  towTi,  under  the  min- 
istry of  Alvin  Toby,  pastor  of  the  Congregational  church.  Sep- 
tember 1,  1806,  a  council  was  called  and  the  Baptists  in  Wilming- 
ton set  off  as  an  independent  church,  wdth  thirty  members.  Linus 
Austin,  a  subject  of  the  revival  mentioned,  was  licensed  to  preach 
June  24,  1807,  and  preached  as  stated  supply  three  years.  He  was 
also  the  first  church  clerk.  Preaching  was  then  supported  by  a  tax 
on  the  members.  Two  seasons  the  church  enjoyed  the  services  of 
Joseph  Elliott  of  Hinsdale,  N.  H.  Rev.  Ehjah  Montague  of  North 
Leverett,  Mass.,  Rev.  Stephen  Choate  of  Wardsboro,  and  Rev. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  213 

Josiah  Mattison  of  Shaftsbury,  acted  as  fathers  to  this  young 
church.  EH  Ball,  ordained  September  25,  1811,  was  pastor  two 
years.  Rev.  Linus  Austin  ministered  again  to  the  church  in  1814 
and  1815. 

A  powerful  work  of  grace  was  enjoyed  during  the  au- 
tumn and  winter  of  1816  and  1817,  and  sixty -two  were  added  by 
baptism.  This  has  ever  since  been  called  the  great  revival.  It  was  dis- 
tinguished, not  only  by  the  number  of  converts,  but  by  the  power 
by  which  persons  were  arrested  and  brought  to  Christ.  A  sister  in 
the  church  (Mrs.  Waste)  lost  early  in  the  autumn  a  lovely  daughter. 
The  afflicted  mother  for  a  while  was  inconsolable.  She  finally,  after 
prayer,  became  reconciled  and  began  to  work  and  pray  for  others. 
An  awakening  was  soon  manifest.  The  church  was  quickened  and 
the  whole  community  awakened.  Thirteen  were  hopefully  con- 
verted in  one  evening.  Rev.  Mr.  Brooks,  an  evangelist,  labored 
with  the  church  in  this  work.  Rev.  Messrs.  Fuller,  Robinson,  and 
Bruce,  also  shared  in  the  work.  Rev.  Mansfield  Bruce,  who  be- 
came pastor  in  1819,  baptized  most  of  the  converts. 

Rev.  O.  Smith  gave  the  following  account  of  Mr.  Bruce:  He 
was  born  in  Grafton,  Mass.,  April  11,  1781.  At  the  age  of  twenty- 
three  he  was  converted  and  united  with  the  Congregational  church 
in  Newton  West  Parish.  He  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Marl- 
boro and  New^ane  in  1806.  Soon  after  he  was  chosen  deacon,  which 
office  he  filled  till  1809,  when  he  was  ordained  an  evangelist.  He 
soon,  however,  became  pastor  of  the  church.  September  24,  1805, 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Grace  Goddard,  who  survived  him  till  Feb- 
ruary 11,  1875,  which  was  her  ninety-first  birthday.  He  was  pastor 
of  the  Wilmington  church  nearly  twenty-four  years.  He  died 
February  5,  1843,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age.  He  was 
highly  esteemed  in  the  community.  He  married  one  hundred  and 
one  couples,  baptized  four  hundred  and  three  persons,  and  traveled 
between  sixty  and  seventy  thousand  miles.  Following  his  death 
Rev.  M.  D.  Smith  was  pastor  till  1849;  A.  Case,  1849-1850;  Mason 
Ball,  1851-1853;  William  TilHnghast,  1854-1856;  Caleb  Smith, 
1857-1859. 

During  the  first  sixty-nine  years  of  its  history  this  church  had 
nine  pastors.    At  least  five  of  its  members  have  become  ministers, 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

viz.,  Linus  Austin,  for  some  time  pastor  in  Wliitingham,  and  was 
also  Missionary  Agent  in  New  York;  Nathan  Collins,  who  labored 
as  an  evangeUst  in  the  West,  and  was  chaplain  in  the  army  during 
the  War  of  the  Rebelhon;  Cyrus  Smith,  an  evangelist,  and  also 
Professor  in  the  Baptist  Union  Institution,  Murfreesboro,  Tenn.; 
Origen  Smith,  successful  in  the  work  of  Christ;  and  Harvey  Parme- 
lee,  for  a  time  in  the  service  of  the  Convention. 

The  first  church  edifice  was  erected  in  1817.  The  present  edi- 
fice was  built  in  1839,  and  thoroughly  remodelled  in  1852. 

Rev.  A.  W.  Goodnow  was  pastor  fifteen  years,  beginning  in 
1860.  The  church  attained  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  six- 
teen, the  largest  in  its  history.  Rev.  H.  Fowler  followed,  1876- 
1879;  Rev.  L.  Kinney,  1880-1881;  Rev.  A.  W.  Goodnow  was  again 
pastor,  1882-1886;  D.  N.  Phelps,  1887-1888;  Wm.  Spencer,  1890; 
J.  D.  Skinner,  1892;  A.  A.  Smith,  1893-1896;  E.  C.  Rood,  1897- 
1899;  M.  R.  Foshay,  1900-1902;  J.  A.  Mitchell,  1903;  E.  C.  Stover, 
1906-1907;  E.  M.  Bartlett,  1907-1908;  Adolph  Aubert,  1909. 

The  membership  of  the  church  (1912)  was  eighty-eight. 

Readsboro 

A  Baptist  church  was  formed  in  Readsboro  as  early  as  1812. 
In  1822,  by  the  accession  of  twenty  members,  its  membership  be- 
came thirty-nine,  and  at  that  time  it  was  received  into  the  Leyden 
Association.  James  Carpenter  was  pastor.  Until  1845,  the  name 
of  the  church  appears  in  the  minutes  as  still  under  the  pastoral  care 
of  James  Carpenter,  and  mthout  indications  of  progress.  From 
that  time  it  has  been  regarded  as  extinct. 

In  1878,  Mr.  H.  N.  F.  Marshall,  a  business  man  from  Boston, 
held  a  series  of  meetings  here  which  resulted  in  the  conversion  of  a 
considerable  number.  The  recent  converts  holding  Baptist  senti- 
ments united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Stamford,  Vt.,  as  a  tem- 
porary arrangement.  March  26, 1879,  a  Baptist  church  was  formed 
in  Readsboro,  and  E.  A.  Read  was  secured  as  pastor.  Meetings  were 
held  in  out  districts.  Two  years  later  Mr.  Read  resigned  and  S.  G. 
Abbott  was  immediately  secured  as  pastor,  but  on  account  of 
sickness  in  his  family,  was  obliged  to  leave  the  following  July. 


A.  B.  Clakk,  Readsboro 
Member  of  Convention  Board 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  215 

The  church  having  no  meeting-house  of  its  own,  held  meetings  for  a 
time  with  the  Wesleyan  Methodists,  paying  a  stipulated  part  of  the 
salary  and  yet  maintaining  its  own  organization  and  fidelity  to 
Baptist  principles.  In  1883,  the  Town  Hall  was  obtained  as  a  place 
of  worship.  G.  Colesworthy  was  pastor  from  1884  to  1889.  That 
year  the  Town  Hall  burned,  but  the  church  saved  most  of  its  furni- 
ture. Though  under  adversity  they  were  encouraged  by  State 
Missionary  McGeorge,  and  a  Committee  from  the  Association,  and 
held  Sunday  school  and  preaching  services.  In  1891,  Rev.  William 
Spencer  became  pastor  and  steps  were  taken  toward  building  a 
meeting-house,  friends  in  Brattleboro  and  North  Adams  assisting. 
The  new  meeting-house  was  dedicated  free  of  debt  in  1892.  The 
cost  was  $4,750.  Rev.  R.  S.  Alger  became  pastor  in  1893,  continuing 
tiU  1898.  F.  T.  Kenyon,  1899-1900;  G.  W.  F.  Hill,  1901-1903; 
W.  E.  Baker,  1905-1907.  State  Evangelist  Hafer  assisted  pastor 
Baker  in  1907,  and  eleven  were  baptized  that  year.  A.  J.  Bowser 
was  ordained  pastor  in  1908,  seven  were  received  to  membership, 
and  the  follo'sving  year  twenty  were  baptized  and  six  received  by 
letter.  Thomas  Packard  was  pastor  in  1910  and  C.  E.  Gould  in 
1911.  Membership  of  the  church  at  that  time,  seventy-one. 

The  Readsboro  church  has  been  assisted  by  the  State  Conven- 
tion since  1892,  receiving  in  that  time  amounts  aggregating 
$1967.33. 

Heartwellville 

In  1906,  Rev.  C.  S.  Daniels  and  State  Evangelist  Hafer  held 
special  meetings  in  Heartswell  and  awakened  an  interest.  Twelve 
were  baptized  and  with  twelve  others,  united  in  church  fellow  ship 
under  Mr.  Daniels  as  pastor.  The  State  Convention  generously 
aided  the  new  enterprise.  Their  meeting  place  was  improved  and 
the  outlook  was  hopeful.  The  nearest  church  to  this  one  is  five 
miles  away.  Mr.  Daniels,  after  a  pastorate  of  five  years,  resigned. 
In  his  report  in  1911,  Dr.  Davison  recommended  the  union  of  this 
church  with  the  Readsboro  church  in  the  support  of  a  pastor  on 
both  fields.  Rev.  C.  E.  Gould,  of  Readsboro,  supplied  during 
most  of  the  year,  1912, 


216  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

TOWNSHEND 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  Towmshend  was  formed  on  the 
20th  day  of  September,  1810,  and  existed  till  near  the  close  of  1840. 
The  meeting-house  was  built  in  1817.  The  acting  pastors  of  the 
church  and  society  are  as  follows :  Samuel  Kingsbury,  from  ordina- 
tion in  1808-1817;  Benjamin  I.  Lane,  fall  of  1817-1819; 

Lathrop,  January,  1820,- June,  1821;  George  Robinson,  Decem- 
ber, 1821 -December,  1824;  Joseph  M.  Graves,  January,  1825- 
Januar3%  1829;  Simeon  Chamberlain,  March,  1831-March,  1834; 
Hiram  A.  Graves,  spring  and  summer  of  1835;  Nathan  Ames, 
1836;  Charles  Farrar,  spring  of  1837-sprmg  of  1838. 

Second  Church  in  Townshend 

On  the  15th  of  June,  1827,  twenty-four  or  more  Baptists  met 
for  organization  in  the  dwelling  house  of  Edward  ^Yhite.  The  ensu- 
ing 4th  of  July,  a  council  met  and  the  church  was  organized  with 
thirteen  brethren  and  eighteen  sisters.  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves,  the 
Baptist  preacher  at  West  TowTishend,  preached  one-third  of  the 
time  for  brief  periods.  In  1834,  the  Legislature  passed  an  act  of 
incorporation  for  the  Leland  Classical  and  English  school.  The 
northern  half  of  the  academy  building  served  as  a  place  of  worship. 
The  first  teacher,  Erastus  Willard,  frequently  preached  there. 
R.  M.  Ely  was  pastor  from  1832  to  1838.  Rev.  W.  D.  Upham  was 
next  ordained  and  served  four  years,  until  his  death.  His  pas- 
torate was  marked  by  a  continuous  revival.  Rev.  Horace 
Fletcher  then  began,  in  1844,  a  pastorate  that  lasted  twenty-eight 
years,  a  period  of  steady  healthy  growi:h.  The  church  attained  a 
membership,  in  1869,  of  two  hundred  and  forty.  In  1866,  forty- 
seven  were  added,  and  in  1869,  twenty. 

Mr.  Fletcher  had  graduated  from  Dartmouth  college  at  the 
age  of  twenty -one,  at  the  head  of  his  class.  Five  years  he  then  spent 
in  teaching  and  in  the  study  of  the  law,  was  admitted  to  the  bar, 
and  had  spent  fifteen  years  in  its  practice.  Rev.  Horace  Fletcher 
grew  in  intellectual  and  spiritual  strength,  as  well  as  in  influence 
and  reputation,  even  into  old  age.   The  honorary  title  of  Doctor  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  217 

Divinity  was  conferred  on  him  by  Hamilton  Theological  Seminary, 
a  title  justly  earned.  After  an  uninterrupted  pastorate  of  nearly 
twenty -eight  years,  he  died  November,  1871.  Rev.  R.  M.  Prentice 
became  pastor  May  1,  1872,  and  Rev.  Cyprian  Frenyear  succeeded 
him  in  1875,  and  after  brief  service,  died  May  10,  1876.  Mr.  Fren- 
year served  as  the  State  historian  of  the  denomination,  devoting 
much  time  and  energy  to  the  collection  and  publication  of  historical 
and  biographical  matter.  It  was  his  desire  to  publish  a  history  of 
Vermont  Baptists.  His  valuable  collection  of  material  was  pur- 
chased by  the  Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society. 

Rev.  T.  M.  Butler  was  settled  in  1876,  dismissed  October 
29,  1882;  R.  S.  Mitchell  served  from  June  30,  1883,  till  July  9, 
1887;  D.  W.  Athern,  October  1,  1888,  to  1891;  C.  D.  R.  Meacham, 
1892  to  1898;  L.  B.  Curtis,  1899  to  1900;  E.  A.  Royal,  1902  to 
1904;  W.  W.  Gushee,  1907;  Joseph  McKean,  1908. 

Membership  in  1912,  sixty-three. 

South  Windham 

The  story  of  the  origin  of  the  South  Windham  church  is  fully 
given  in  a  letter  from  Rev.  Stephen  Choate  to  the  editor  of  the 
Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  Magazine,  under  date  of  Wards- 
boro,  April  7,  1807.  In  the  course  of  the  previous  year  there  had 
been  some  revival  in  Winhall.  It  spread  in  a  part  of  Jamaica  and 
Windham  in  a  glorious  manner.  Almost  every  house  in  the  neigh- 
borhood, where  the  reformation  spread,  shared  in  it.  Strong  and 
hostile  opposers  were  won  to  Christ.  The  work  was  principally  in 
Windham,  where  there  was  no  Baptist  church  and  only  a  few  mem- 
bers of  the  Jamaica  church.  On  the  5th  of  April ,  Mr. Choate  preached 
to  a  large  assembly.  After  the  sermon  ten  recent  converts 
related  their  experience  and  were  fellowshiped.  Although  the 
meeting  began  early  it  was  late  when  the  people  repaired  to  the 
water,  about  half  a  mile  distant,  in  the  edge  of  the  woods,  a  beau- 
tiful and  convenient  place  both  for  the  baptism  and  for  the  spec- 
tators. Here  with  great  solemnity  the  ten  were  buried  with  Christ 
in  baptism.  After  the  ordinance  Brother  Baker,  a  candidate  for  the 
ministry  who  was  present,  gave  a  word  of  exhortation  and  the  peo- 


218  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

pie  returned  to  their  homes.  A  meeting  was  appointed  for  the  even- 
ing and  "at  early  candle  light"  the  people  collected.  Mr.  Baker 
preached,  and  considerable  time  was  spent  in  conference  and 
prayer,  and  four  persons  related  their  experience,  and  plans  were 
laid  for  a  baptism  in  the  morning.  Sunday  morning,  September  6th, 
four  were  baptized. 

On  the  10th  of  October,  Mr.  Choate  and  Elder  Henry  Cham- 
berlain w^ere  at  Windham  and  the  examination  of  candidates  was 
continued,  one  of  whom  had  been  a  violent  opposer.  Eight  gave 
accounts  of  their  experience  and  by  that  time  it  was  so  near  even- 
ing that  there  was  not  time  to  wait  for  others  who  wished  to  go  for- 
ward. Again  the  woodland  baptistery  was  visited  and  four  re- 
ceived the  ordinance.  In  the  evening  three  more  candidates  were 
examined,  and  in  the  morning  seven  put  on  Christ  in  baptism.  On 
the  12th  of  January  following,  1807,  Mr.  Choate  assisted  in  the 
organization  of  these  brethren  into  a  church  of  forty -three  members, 
most  of  whom  had  been  converted  in  that  revival  season.  Under 
such  delightful  circumstances  the  South  Windham  church  had  its 
origin.  On  the  occasion  of  its  centenary  Pastor  Leonard  Aldrich 
gave  a  sketch  of  the  history,  from  which  the  following  items  are 
taken : 

The  church  increased  in  membership  somewhat  rapidly  and  in 
1812,  five  years  from  its  l^eginning,  it  numbered  eighty -five  mem- 
bers. This  number  continued  to  increase  until  1842,  when  one  hun- 
dred and  ninety -four  names  were  enrolled.  That  was  the  zenith  of 
the  church's  numerical  strength.  Then  a  gradual  decline  began 
which  has  continued  to  the  present.  The  losses  have  been  due  more 
to  death  than  emigration,  as  is  evident  from  the  fact  that  during 
the  century  the  dismissions  by  letter  have  been  but  five  more  than 
the  accessions  by  letter,  one  hundred  and  eighty-five  and  one  hun- 
dred and  seventy-five  of  each,  respectively.  Deaths  outnumbered 
the  baptisms.  Losses,  however,  by  revision  of  the  roll  and  dropping 
members,  changes  this  proportion. 

For  nineteen  years  the  church  met  wherever  it  could  find  a 
shelter.  Tradition  has  it  that  the  first  meeting-house  was  erected  by 
Colonel  Cobb  because  of  its  beneficial  influence  on  business.  The 
vestibule,  cupola  and  bell  were  added  in  1853,  the  vestry  was 
built  in  1895,  and  the  church  renovated. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  219 

The  church  has  been  served  by  twenty  pastors.  The  first  was 
Deacon  Thomas  Baker,  a  shoemaker  by  trade,  who  followed  his 
craft  for  support  while  in  the  ministry,  the  salary  being  but  one 
hundred  and  four  dollars,  one-fourth  in  cash,  and  the  rest  in  grain 
and  labor;  Samuel  Kingsbury  Avas  the  next  pastor,  from  1819-1838, 
nineteen  years.  Accessions  during  this  pastorate  were  not  numer- 
ous. Milo  Tracy,  the  next  minister,  reaped  the  fruit  of  his  sow- 
ing, baptizing  eighty-eight.  The  other  ministers  and  supplies  have 
been:  M.  D.  Miller,  W.  Fisher,  C.  L.  Baker,  Charles  Green,  W. 
L.  Picknell,  Charles  Farrer,  C.  P.  Rugg,  E.  P.  Merrifield;  Milo 
Tracy,  second  pastorate;  Mark  Carpenter,  Ephraim  Hapgood,  C.  L. 
Frost,  H.  V.  Baker,  B.  F.  Tuck,  C.  A.  Votey,  Charles  VanSchaick, 
A.  Hathaway,  Charles  Buckingham,  Charles  W.  Dealtry,  William 
Thorne,  F.  H.  Conant,  Sidney  Aldrich,  J.  W.  Vile.  Charles  Green 
was  pastor  ten  years;  Mark  Carpenter  seven  years. 

Fourteen  young  men  have  been  licensed  by  this  church  to 
preach  the  gospel.  Among  these  are  Charles  Fairman,  J.  Furman, 
Olan  Baker,  and  a  son  of  Pastor  Milo  Tracy. 

The  church  has  been  in  vital  connection  with  the  Association, 
and  by  its  delegates  and  its  contributions  taken  part  in  the  State 
work  and  in  missionary  efforts.    Membership  in  1912,  twenty-nine. 

Wardsboro 

Permanent  settlements  in  Wardsboro  began  in  June,  1780, 
when  John  Jones,  Ithamer  Allen,  and  others  came  from  Milford 
and  Sturbridge,  Mass.  Others  joined  them  soon  and  the  town  was 
organized  March  14, 1786.  They  were  without  preaching  for  sev- 
eral years.  They  were  accounted  famous  according  as  they  had 
lifted  up  axes  upon  the  thick  trees.  In  1792,  Elder  Stone  came  and 
preached  occasionally  and  baptized  four  converts.  Then  Aaron 
Leland  came  over  from  Chester,  and  preached  and  baptized  six 
more,  and  in  October  of  the  same  year,  1792,  these  were  organized 
into  a  Baptist  church,  by  the  advice  of  a  council  of  five,  in  which 
Aaron  Leland  was  the  only  minister.  He  was  appointed  moderator. 

The  ten  thus  united  were  Lemuel  Brailey  and  Keziah  Brailey, 
his  wife,  Samuel  Davis  and  Rachel  Davis,  his  wife;  Nathaniel 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Gould  and  Abigail  Gould,  his  wife;  James  Wallace,  Timothy  Wake- 
field, Enoch  Fisk  and  Asa  Day.  Samuel  Wheeler  was  appointed 
Clerk.  He  was  received  upon  his  promise  that  he  would  soon  pro- 
cure a  letter  of  recommendation  from  another  church,  which  he 
never  did,  much  to  the  trial  of  the  church,  until  a  council  was  called 
which  decided  that  he  was  not  a  legal  member.  Frequent  additions 
were  made  to  the  church  until  1795,  when  they  built  a  meeting- 
house, which,  however,  was  not  completed  fully  till  1805.  In  1795, 
also,  they  settled  Simeon  Combs,  who  served  first  as  an  evangelist, 
then  two  years  as  installed  minister  and  again  as  evangelist,  till 
1803.  Elder  Combs  became  pastor  on  the  condition  (1),  that  the 
church  could  support  him;  (2),  that  the  church  would  support  him; 
(3),  w^ould  ordain  deacons;  (4),  would  allow  his  occasional  absence 
to  preach  in  destitute  places;  (5),  give  him  four  weeks  to  visit  his 
friends. 

For  several  years  the  Baptists  in  Jamaica  partly  supported 
Elder  Combs,  who  divided  his  time  between  the  two  churches,  but 
as  from  1803,  he  gave  his  whole  time  to  Jamaica,  the  Baptists  of 
Sutton  aided  those  in  Wardsboro. 

In  August,  1794,  the  church  voted  the  preacher  a  salary  of 
forty -five  pounds,  but  in  October  added  money  to  move  his  family, 
and  later  they  appointed  a  committee  to  fix  the  prices  at  which  all, 
who  were  delinquent  in  paying  the  money,  should  pay  their  sub- 
scriptions in  provisions.  At  one  time  they  voted  their  minister  a 
beef,  and  at  another  to  give  him  fifty  pounds  of  flax  and  twenty 
pounds  of  wool. 

August  4,  1800,  Paul  Davis,  who  had  been  church  clerk  for 
several  years,  was  licensed  to  preach,  and  this  year  was  marked  by  a 
great  revival.  Illustrative  of  the  care  the  church  exercised  in  action 
which  might  effect  the  interests  of  other  churches  is  a  letter  written 
by  Elder  Combs  when  Paul  Davis  began  to  preach. 

"Wardsboro,  Dec.  16, 1797. 

This  may  certify  to  all  our  Baptist  churches,  and  friends  of 
other  denominations,  that  our  beloved  brother,  Paul  Davis,  is  a 
regular  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Wardsboro,  and  is  a  man 
of  sober  life  and  conversation,  and  hath  exercised  his  gift  in  public 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  221 

in  a  doctrinal  line  to  considerable  satisfaction,  but  we  have  heard 
him  but  a  few  times  and  are  not  fully  determined  what  his  gift  is; 
but  we  hope  and  think,  (and  not  without  evidence)  that  he  will, 
by  improvement  and  experience  together  with  the  prayers  and  en- 
couragement of  the  church,  make  a  good  minister  of  the  gospel  of 
Christ." 

Stephen  Choate,  who  had  been  clerk  for  two  years,  was  a  young 
and  promising  brother  and  the  church  voted  "that  it  was  their 
minds  that  he  had  a  public  gift  that  ought  to  be  improved."  In 
October,  1805,  a  council  from  four  other  churches  ordained  him. 
He  proved  an  active,  laborious,  successful  minister,  and  under  his 
ministry  many  were  added  to  the  church,  which  attained  at  that 
time,  a  high  degree  of  efficiency.  But  in  the  meridian  of  life  and  in 
the  midst  of  his  usefulness,  he  died,  in  1811.  The  church  was  with- 
out settled  ministry  for  several  years. 

From  the  organization  of  the  church  until  October,  1814,  the 
church  was  scattered  about  in  three  towmships.  At  that  time  the 
members  living  in  Dover  were  dismissed  to  form  a  church  there. 
In  1816  and  1817,  large  accessions  were  received  through  the  efforts 
of  Elder  Brooks.  Sixty  were  baptized,  most  of  them  young  people, 
two  of  whom  became  Baptist  ministers,  L.  Glazier,  and  D.  Grant. 
In  1819,  the  members  living  in  Stratton  were  dismissed  and  or- 
ganized by  themselves,  and  the  Wardsboro  church  was  greatly  re- 
duced but  not  discouraged.  Joseph  Gambrell,  a  licentiate  from 
Rockingham,  was  ordained  pastor,  and  for  ten  years  was  both 
sower  and  reaper.  He  organized  the  first  Sunday  school  in  the 
society.  The  year,  1834,  was  marked  by  a  notable  event.  Finding 
the  location  of  the  meeting-house  unfavorable  the  people  resolved 
to  move  it,  and  this  was  done.  The  house  was  taken  down,  moved 
about  two  miles  to  West  Wardsboro,  then  known  as  Hammons 
Mills,  rebuilt,  a  bell  put  in  the  tower,  and  the  sanctuary  recon- 
secrated to  God's  service.  The  peace  and  prosperity  of  the  church 
was  greatly  promoted  by  this  enterprise.  Joshua  Vincent  was  or- 
dained and  took  up  the  work  in  the  new  location,  held  protracted 
meetings  and  gathered  thirty-six  members,  most  of  them  heads 
of  families.  P.  B.  Fisk  was  the  next  pastor,  continuing  till  1846, 
with  the  interruption  of  one  year,  1843,  which  was  filled  by  Nathan 


222  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

Ames.  His  fruitful  service  was  terminated  by  his  death,  March  16, 
1846.  In  September,  1853,  the  church  had  the  pleasure  and  honor 
of  ordaining  Miles  J.  Knowlton,  who  afterward  became  missionary 
to  China,  stationed  at  Ningpo. 

J.  H.  Crowley  served  as  pastor  from  1846  till  1853,  when  grave 
charges  against  his  christian  and  ministerial  character  were  pre- 
ferred, which,  being  sustained  by  two  councils,  he  was  deposed. 
H.  Archibald,  E.  P.  Merrifield,  George  Carpenter,  and  Charles 
Brooks,  served  brief  pastorates.  Mr.  Brooks  was  ordained  at  a 
session  of  the  Association  in  1861. 

The  list  of  pastors  since  1865  is  as  follows:  A.  B.  Eggleston, 
S.  C.  Sherman,  David  W.  Palmer,  J.  Fairman,  A.  J.  Walker,  L.  E, 
Pierce,  H.  M.  Hopkinson,  L.  F.  Shepardson,  I.  H.  Parraelee,  G.  I. 
Ganun,  E.  B.  Earle,  W.  N.  Stratton,  J.  D.  King,  R.  A.  Nichols, 
W.  S.  Boardman,  W.  H.  Bishop.  From  1872  to  1885,  the  member- 
ship was  maintained  above  seventy.  Since  then  it  has  gradually 
declined.     The  membership  was  forty-four  in  1912. 

DORRILLITES 

Illustrative  of  the  counter  influences  at  work  in  Windham 
County  in  the  early  days  is  the  account  of  the  Dorrillites,  given 
by  Zadoc  Thompson,  in  his  History  of  Vermont. 

In  the  year,  1798,  a  sect  of  fanatics  sprang  up  in  the  southern 
part  of  Windham  County,  in  this  State,  which  gained  quite  a  num- 
ber of  adherents  there  and  in  the  two  towTis  of  Leyden  and  Ber- 
nardston,  Mass.  The  founder  was  one  Dorrill,  a  refugee  from  the 
British  army  under  Burgoine.  Dorrill  pretended  to  be  possessed 
of  supernatural  powers,  and  confidently  asserted  that  it  was  not 
in  the  power  of  man  to  hurt  him.  He  promised  his  followers  that  if 
they  had  full  faith  in  him  they  should  never  die. 

They  lived  upon  milk  and  vegetables,  holding  that  it  was  a  sin 
to  eat  that  which  had  cost  life.  For  a  similar  reason  they  could  wear 
no  clothing  procured  at  the  expense  of  life,  putting  off  their  leather 
shoes  and  wearing  those  made  of  wood  or  cloth,  and  their  black- 
smith procured  a  pair  of  cloth  bellows  in  the  place  of  his  former 
leathern  ones. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  223 

They  discarded  all  revelation  except  Dorrill's,  and  governed 
their  conduct  by  the  light  of  nature.  They  held  weekly  meetings, 
but  the  worship  consisted  in  eating  and  drinking,  singing,  fiddling 
and  dancing,  and  hearing  lectures  from  Dorrill. 

They  held  most  of  their  property  in  common,  the  blacksmith 
being  treasurer. 

In  a  short  time  the  society  became  quite  large,  embracing  quite 
a  number  of  very  respectable  families.  People  from  the  neighboring 
towns  went  to  see  the  marvelous  doings  of  this  new  sect.  Finally, 
Captain  Ezekiel  Foster,  a  man  of  good  sense,  giant  frame  and  com- 
manding appearance,  attended  these  meetings.  All  went  on  as 
usual  until  Dorrill  came  to  speak  of  his  miraculous  powers,  but  the 
moment  he  uttered  the  words,  "  no  arm  can  hurt  my  flesh, "  Captain 
Foster,  indignant  at  such  blasphemy,  with  a  single  blow  knocked 
him  nearly  senseless, and  when  Dorrill  attempted  to  rise,  he  knocked 
him  down  a  second  time,  and  while  he  begged  for  mercy,  Foster 
pounded  him  until  he  renounced  his  doctrines  and  acknowledged 
that  his  sole  object  in  the  attempt  he  had  made  was  to  see  what  fools 
men  were,  and  to  make  everybody  see  that  there  was  nothing  so 
absurd  that  people  would  not  believe  it,  provided  it  was  proclaimed 
with  unhesitating  boldness. 

Dorrill  was  allowed  to  get  up,  only  upon  promising,  upon  the 
penalty  of  his  life,  to  deceive  the  people  no  more.  This,  of  course, 
was  the  end  of  that  error,  but  the  lesson  is  too  valuable  to  be  lost. 


Dr.  Henry  D.  Holton 

Member  of  Convention  Board 
Secretary  of  State  Board  of  Health 


Chapter  XV 
THE  WOODSTOCK  ASSOCIATION 

In  that  eventful  year  1783,  in  which  the  long  contest  for 
American  independence  ended,  the  Woodstock  Association  was 
organized.  The  Baptist  church  in  Woodstock,  gathered  under 
the  ministry  of  Elisha  Ransom  in  1780,  had  attained  a  membership 
of  eighty,  and  was  connected  with  the  Warren  Association,  to 
which  its  pastor  was  sent  as  delegate.  This  church  united  with 
three  others  across  the  Connecticut,  and  organized  the  Association 
which  has  since  borne  honorably  the  name  first  given  it.  The 
other  churches  were  Canaan,  of  which  Thomas  Baldwin  was 
pastor,  Croydon,  Sutton,  Samuel  Ambrose,  pastor;  and  Wendel. 
To  these,  the  same  year,  the  church  in  Royalton,  Vt.  was  added. 
This  little  group  of  churches  was  the  nucleus  around  which  others 
soon  gathered  to  form  an  association  covering  a  wide  territory. 

Three  years  after  its  organization,  seven  other  churches  joined 
it.  These  were  Second  Woodstock,  Claremont,  Temple,  Windsor, 
Westminster,  First  Westmoreland  and  Marlow.  The  total  mem- 
bership was  then  four  hundred  and  ninety-six.  The  Marlow 
church  had  the  largest  membership,  one  hundred  and  eighteen. 

In  1791,  the  Association  numbered  twenty-six  churches  and 
ten  hundred  and  fourteen  members.  A  list  of  the  churches  con- 
nected with  this  Association,  in  the  order  of  their  accession,  will 
show  perhaps  as  well  as  may  be,  the  development  of  the  body. 

The  Vermont  churches  were  (1783)  Woodstock,  Royalton; 
(1786)  Second  Woodstock,  Windsor,  Westminster,  (1788)  Dum- 
merston,  Reading;  (1789)  Rockingham,  Hartford,  Chester;  (1791) 
Jamaica,  Woodstock  and  Bridgewater,  Guilford  West;  (1792) 
Thetford,  Norwich;  (1793)  Cambridge,  Plainfield,  Sharon,  Fairfax; 
(1794)  Wardsboro,  Alburg,  Caldwells  Manor,  Canada;  (1798) 
Chelsea;  (1802)  Pomfret;  (1804)  Weathersfield,  Grafton,  Caven- 
dish,  Sutton;    (1808)   Windham;    (1810)   Andover,   Washington; 


226  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

(1811)  Townshend,  Londonderry,  Windsor;  (1812)  Barre,  Dan- 
ville, Fairfield;  (1813)  Winhall,  Mount  HoUy;  (1817)  Stockbridge 
and  Reading;  (1819)  Hartland,  Weston;  (1821)  Springfield;  (1825) 
Ludlow;  (1827)  Townshend  2nd. 

The  New  Hampshire  churches  were:  Canaan,  Croydon,  Sut- 
ton, Wendel;  (1775)  Lebanon;  (1786)  Claremont,  Temple,  Mar- 
low,  Westmoreland;  (1788)  Stoddard,  Dublin;  (1789)  2nd  West- 
moreland, Mason,  Hopkinton;  (1790)  New  London;  (1791)  Alstead, 
Cornish;  (1793)  Grafton;  (1798)  Hanover;  (1804)  Goshen;  (1806) 
Hanover  and  Lyme,  Peterboro;  (1808)  Sutton;  (1811)   Acworth; 

(1812)  Meredith,  Boston,  Unity;  (1825)  Lempster. 

In  1828,  there  were  twenty-seven  churches  in  the  Association, 
twenty-two  ordained  ministers,  and  a  membership  numbering 
two  thousand,  six  hundred  and  eighty-two. 

The  Vermont  ministers  were  Leland  Howard,  Aaron  Leland, 
R.  M.  Ely,  J.  Freeman,  David  Sweet,  Samuel  Kingsbury,  Samuel 
Lawson,  Joel  Manning,  Joseph  Elliott,  Daniel  Packer,  Timothy 
Grow,  Samuel  Pierce. 

In  1829,  the  New  Hampshire  churches  had  withdrawn  to  unite 
in  associations  within  their  own  state,  leaving  the  Vermont  church- 
es, eighteen  in  number;  Windsor,  Chester,  Jamaica,  Springfield, 
Cavendish,  Grafton,  Windham,  1st  To^uTishend,  W.  Windsor, 
Andover,  Rockingham  and  Westminster,  Mount  Holly,  Hartland, 
W'eston,  Reading,  Ludlow,  2nd  Townshend,  Londonderry. 

Since  the  division,  the  Woodstock  Association  has  occupied 
practically  the  same  ground  with  few  changes. 

In  1791,  the  number  of  churches  was  thirty-one,  and  of  mem- 
bers one  thousand,  five  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  showing  an 
increase  of  five  churches  and  five  hundred  and  eighty-four  mem- 
bers in  the  first  six  years  of  its  history.  In  the  year,  1800,  XNath 
thirty  churches,  the  number  of  members  was  one  thousand,  six 
hundred  and  seventy -nine,  and  the  additions  were  two  hundred  and 
eighty -two.  The  year  preceding  the  session  of  1800  must  have 
been  one  of  great  refreshing  to  many  of  the  churches,  for  thirty-six 
had  been  added  to  the  church  in  Windsor,  seventy -nine  to  that  in 
Chester,  thirty-eight  to  that  in  Plainfield,  fifty -two  to  Grafton, 
twenty  to  Lebanon,  thirty-three  to  Chelsea  and  Tunbridge.     This 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  227 

refreshing  also  characterised  the  following  year  in  which  two 
hundred  and  thirty-two  additions  are  reported.  In  1832,  the 
additions  to  the  churches  were  five  hundred  and  seventy-six  by 
baptism,  and  the  entire  membership  reached  the  number  two 
thousand,  six  hundred  and  sixty -three.  In  1839,  the  membership 
had  reached  the  number  of  two  thousand,  nine  hundred  and 
seventy-one.  From  that  time,  from  various  causes,  the  member- 
ship has  declined  gradually,  with  occasional  years  of  increase. 

West  Windsor,  Reading  and  Hartland  have  become  extinct; 
Jamaica,  Townshend  churches,  and  Windham  have  withdrawn  to 
unite  with  the  Windham  County  Association;  in  compensation  for 
lost  members  the  churches  in  Felchville,  East  Wallingford,  Ferkins- 
viile.  Bellows  Falls  and  Windsor  have  been  added.  In  1811,  the 
Association  consisted  of  fifteen  churches  wnth  thirteen  pastors, 
and  a  membership  of  fourteen  hundred  and  thirty -eight,  of  whom 
nine  hundred  and  fourteen  were  counted  resident. 

The  Association,  in  the  minutes  for  1786,  recorded  its  Senti- 
ments, Plan  and  Articles  of  Faith,  a  copy  of  which,  for  their  histori- 
cal value,  is  here  given  in  their  original  form. 


Sentiments,  etc. 

1st.  That  such  a  combination  of  churches  is  not  only  pru- 
dent, but  useful,  as  has  appeared  even  in  America,  by  the  experi- 
ence of  upward  of  sixty  years.  Some  of  the  uses  of  it  are  union 
and  communion  among  themselves,  maintaining  more  effectually 
the  order  and  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  having  advice  in 
cases  of  difficulty,  and  help  in  distress,  being  more  able  to  promote 
the  good  of  the  cause. 

2nd.  That  such  an  Association  is  consistent  with  the  inde- 
pendence and  power  of  particular  churches,  because  it  pretends  to 
be  no  other  than  advisory  council,  utterly  disclaiming  superiority, 
jurisdiction,  coercive  right  and  infallibility. 

3d.  That  an  Association  should  consist  of  men  knowing  and 
judicious,  particularly  in  the  scriptures.  The  reasons  are  obvious. 
Such  men  are  the  fittest  to  represent  communities,  who  profess 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  scriptures  to  be  the  only  rule  of  faith  and  practice  in  religious 
matters,  who  expect  that  every  advice  opinion  or  direction  they 
receive  from  an  Association  should  be  scriptural. 

They  should  be  skillful  and  expert  in  the  laws  of  their  God, 
as  counsellors  are  in  the  laws  of  the  land,  for  that  is  the  ground 
of  the  churches  application  to  them. 

Plan 

1st.  The  Association  to  consist  only  of  messengers  chosen 
and  sent  by  the  churches;  those  messengers  to  be  judicious  men  as 
described  in  the  sentiment  the  third.  Their  expenses  to  be  borne 
by  the  churches  which  send  them. 

2nd.  With  the  messengers  the  churches  send  letters  addressed 
to  the  Association :  In  the  letters  mention  is  made  of  the  names  of 
the  messengers  and  their  authority  to  act  for  their  churches. 

Also  the  state  of  their  churches,  touching  their  peace,  their 
increase  by  baptism  and  by  letter,  dismissions  and  commendatory 
from  other  churches,  touching  their  diminution  by  death,  excom- 
munication, and  dismission  to  other  churches,  and  the  present 
number  of  members.  If  any  questions  are  to  be  put  to  the  Associa- 
tion, any  advice  to  ask,  or  business  to  propose,  these  are  to  be  ex- 
pressed in  said  letters. 

3d.  All  matters  to  be  determined  in  this  Association  by  the 
suffrages  of  the  messengers,  excejit  what  are  determinable  by 
scripture:     Such  matters  are  never  put  to  the  decision  of  vote. 

All  that  speak  are  to  address  the  moderator,  who  is  to  take 
care  that  none  be  interrupted  while  speaking,  and  that  no  other 
indecorum  takes  place. 

4th.  Churches  are  to  be  received  into  the  Association  by 
petition,  setting  forth  their  desire  to  be  admitted,  their  faith  and 
order,  and  willingness  to  be  conformable  to  the  rules  of  associated 
body.  When  it  is  read  and  the  matter  ripened  for  a  vote,  the 
moderator  states  the  question.  Suffrage  being  given  in  favor  of 
the  petition,  the  said  moderator  declares  that  such  a  church  is 
received  into  the  Association  in  token  of  which  he  gives  the  mes- 
sengers the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  bids  them  take  their  seats. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  "^SO 

5th.  The  Association  to  meet  annually,  at  Woodstock,  or  else- 
where as  the  Association  shall  choose,  on  the  third  Wednesday  in 
August,  at  one  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  continue  until  business 
be  finished.  It  is  to  be  opened  with  divine  service  after  which  a 
moderator  and  clerk  are  chosen,  letters  from  the  churches  are 
read,  names  of  the  messengers  are  written,  that  they  may  be 
called  over  at  after  meetings;  then  business  is  attended  to,  minutes 
thereof  made,  a  circular  letter  to  the  churches  is  prepared  and 
signed,  and  a  copy  of  it  sent  to  every  church,  containing  the  minutes 
of  the  Association,  the  state  of  the  churches,  and  when  and  by  whom 
vacancies  are  to  be  supplied,  who  to  preach,  the  next  Association 
sermon,  and  whatever  else  is  needful  for  the  churches  to  know. 

6th.  A  connection  to  be  formed  and  maintained  between  this 
Association  and  that  of  the  Warren,  and  that  of  Shaftsburj'  by 
annual  letters  and  messengers  from  us  to  them. 

7th.  The  faith  and  order  of  this  Association  is  essentially 
that  contained  in  what  follows : 

1.  A  belief  in  the  display  of  God's  divine  righteousness  in 
his  moral  government,  when  he  made  and  situated  man,  and  gave 
him  such  a  law  as  he  did. 

2.  That  man  is,  by  sin,  totally  depraved  and  destitute  of 
original  righteousness,  whereby  he  is  wholly  averse  to  every  in- 
clination to  his  duty,  insomuch  that  despair  and  death  are  in  all 
his  actions,  before  regeneration;  although  Christ  completed  a 
righteousness  by  fulfilling  the  law  and  satisfying  justice  for  the 
justification  of  all  that  believe. 

3.  That  man's  salvation  is  wholly  in  and  by  Christ. 

(l)  By  his  complete  atonement  for  us.  (2)  By  his  victorious 
grace,  conquering  our  hearts  by  the  power  of  his  spirit  in  regenera- 
tion and  the  renewing  of  the  Holy  Ghost  unto  final  perseverance. 
(4)  Divine  sovereignty  is  the  glorious  election  of  grace  on  whom 
he  will  have  mercy,  while  he  leaves  the  rest  to  the  reward  of  dis- 
obedience, of  which  none  have  cause  to  complain,  for  every  mouth 
shall  be  stopped. 

(5)  Immersion  for  baptism,  and  that  on  profession  of  faith 
and  repentance.  (6)  Strict  gospel  liberty  and  independency  of 
churches,  agreeable  to  ancient  Congregational  platform,  and  recep- 


230  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

tion  into  them  upon  evidences  of  sound  conversion;  all  which  is 
more  largely  set  forth  in  a  confession  put  forth  by  upward  of  an 
hundred  congregations  (in  Great  Britain)  in  the  year  1689,  and 
adopted  by  the  Association  of  Philadelphia,  in  1742,  and  by 
Warren  Association,  in  1767,  etc. 

The  Association  opened  correspondence  Avith  the  other 
Associations,  the  Warren,  the  Shaftsburj',  and  the  New  Hamp- 
shire, prepared  circular  letters  and  correspondence  letters,  and 
sent  them  out,  and  welcomed  the  delegates  from  other  bodies. 

The  reading  of  letters  from  the  constituent  churches  was  an 
important  part  of  the  sessions,  the  answering  of  queries  were 
given  carefully. 

The  first  mission  work  of  the  Association  was  within  its  own 
bounds.  At  each  annual  gathering,  arrangements  were  made  for 
the  supply  of  pastorless  churches,  as  far  as  possible.  Places  were 
designated  and  dates  fixed  for  all  the  pastors,  and  the  weaker 
churches  were  not  allowed  to  go  long  without  preaching. 

These  lists  of  appointments  bear  \\itness  to  the  careful  thought 
given  to  this  work,  and  to  the  sincere  interest  of  the  stronger 
churches,  and  the  pastors  of  them,  in  the  welfare  of  their  weaker 
organizations. 

Rev.  Thomas  Baldwin,  afterward  pastor  of  the  Second  church 
in  Boston,  was  active  in  this  sort  of  itineracy,  and  in  reminiscence 
of  this  he  wrote  as  follows:  "There  were  few  towTis  wdthin  the 
space  of  fifty  miles  around  in  which  I  did  not  occasionally  preach. 
In  this  warfare  I  went  chiefly  at  my  own  charges;  (a  few  churches 
visited  for  the  Association  made  small  compensation,  and  individ- 
uals, but  I  do  not  recollect  that  during  the  whole  of  that  period,  in 
all  my  journeyings,  I  received  a  public  contribution).  .  .  The 
roads  are  since  so  improved  that  it  would  be  difiicult  to  persuade 
the  traveler  now-a-days  that  they  had  ever  been  as  bad  as  the 
early  settlers  represent." 

At  the  session  of  the  Association  in  1788,  Thomas  Baldwin 
preached  "  a  suitable  sermon, "  and  in  the  record  of  that  year  is  this 
quaint  and  interesting  minute:  "Elder  Baldwin,  as  appointed, 
exhibited  his  performance  on  this  point;  'Whether  the  Baptists 
and  the  Pedo-baptists  can  commune  together,'  which  was  read 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  231 

and  approved,  and  requested  to  be  forw^arded  to  the  press. "  The 
publication  of  this  paper  called  out  a  reply,  two  years  after,  from 
Rev.  Noah  Worcester,  of  Thornton,  N.  H.,  and  to  this  Mr.  Bald- 
win replied  in  March,  1794,  which  reply  was  so  heartily  approved 
and  prized  that  it  passed  into  the  second  edition  in  about  two 
months.  His  argument  was,  that  the  controversy  all  turned  upon 
the  two  questions :  Who  are  the  subjects  of  baptism  according  to 
the  law  of  Christ?  2.  What  is  the, mode  of  manner  of  baptism 
which  He  hath  instituted.''  It  is  a  fact  of  interest  that  the  Wood- 
stock Association  had  something  to  do  in  leading  Thomas  Baldwin 
into  the  field  of  authorship,  in  defense  of  the  tenets  of  the  de- 
nomination then  imder  assault. 

In  1790,  the  Association  was  agitated  over  the  information 
that  several  new  editions  of  the  Bible  were  likely  to  be  published, 
and  were  requested  to  unite  with  several  other  religious  bodies  in 
a  petition  to  Congress  of  the  United  States  that  no  edition  be  pub- 
lished, but  under  the  inspection  of  a  committee  of  their  appointing, 
to  see  that  no  alterations  or  errors  take  place.  Elder  Jedediah 
Hebbard  and  Deacon  Joseph  Thompson  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee in  behalf  of  the  Association  to  petition  Congress  that  the 
Bible  be  not  printed,  but  under  their  inspection. 

The  meeting  of  1791  was  marked  by  action  of  special  interest 
and  importance.  It  marked  the  beginning  of  missionary  efforts 
in  destitute  places  beyond  the  bounds  of  the  Association.  Action 
was  taken  as  follows:  "Whereas,  we  find  a  number  of  our  brethren 
in  the  ministry,  viz.,  Elders  Jedediah  Hebbard,  Joseph  Call,  Nehe- 
miah  Woodward,  and  John  Hebbard,  disposed  to  journey  to  the 
northward  to  preach  the  Gospel  in  a  great  number  of  infant  settle- 
ments up  the  Connecticut,  in  upper  Coos  country;  also  to  journey 
through  the  north  part  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  even  as  far  as 
Caldwell's  Manor,  within  the  Canada  line;  being  desirous  to  en- 
courage so  laudable  design,  we  recommend  them  as  faithful  min- 
isters of  Christ,  washing  them  much  of  the  grace  of  God,  that  they 
may  see  the  fruits  of  their  labors.  And  as  the  journey  will  be  very 
expensive,  we  recommend  to  the  churches  to  raise  something  by 
contribution  to  defray  the  charges  of  said  ministers  in  their  jour- 
ney."    This,  says  Dr.  T.  H.  Archibald,  is  the  earliest  record  of 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

which  we  have  found  any  trace  of  missionary  effort  beyond  their 
own  bounds,  by  any  body  of  Baptists  in  this  country,  although 
there  was  no  special  organization,  separate  from  the  Association 
itself,  for  the  promotion  of  this  object.  The  earliest  distinct 
society  for  this  purpose  was  formed  in  the  Shaftsbury  Association 
in  1802. 

The  following  year,  1792,  these  brethren  made  so  encouraging 
a  report  of  their  travels  and  ministry  that  the  Association  made 
this  record: 

*'  Resolved,  that  it  would  be  expedient  for  some  of  our  minis- 
tering brethren  again  to  make  a  tour  to  that  quarter.  Whereupon, 
Elders  Jedediah  Hebbard  and  Ebenezer  Bailey  offered  them- 
selves to  make  a  visit  this  fall  up  the  Connecticut  River;  and  Elders 
Joseph  Call,  Isaiah  Stone  and  John  Hebbard  up  the  Lake  Cham- 
plain  to  Canada, — who  by  this  Association  are  recommended  as  able 
ministers  of  Jesus  Christ,  hoping  the  Lord  may  make  them  very  use- 
ful to  the  people.  And  as  their  journey  is  expensive,  we  recommend 
to  our  brethren  that  some  contributions,  as  before,  may  be  made  for 
them."  These  brethren  carried  out  their  purpose  and  reported 
their  success  to  the  Association,  upon  which  the  general  recom- 
mendation was  recorded  that  our  brethren  in  the  ministry  travel 
as  much  as  can  l)e  convenient,  as  the  people  are  very  destitute 
in  those  parts. 

This  volunteer  mission  work  was  continued  from  year  to 
year,  with  the  approval  of  the  Association  and  its  cordial  support, 
till  it  was  thought  expedient  to  organize  a  society  specially  devoted 
to  the  promotion  of  this  work. 

In  1794,  the  Association  adopted  rules  of  decorum,  whether 
to  correct  errors  or  to  provide  for  future  good  order,  we  can  only 
conjecture.  1.  Only  one  person  shall  speak  at  a  time,  who  shall 
rise  from  his  seat  and  address  the  moderator  when  he  is  about  to 
make  his  speech.  2.  The  person  thus  speaking  shall  not  be  in- 
terrupted in  his  speech  by  any  except  the  moderator  till  he  has 
done  speaking.  3.  He  shall  strictly  adhere  to  the  subject  under 
consideration,  and  in  no  wise  reflect  on  the  person,  or  persons,  who 
spoke  before,  so  as  to  make  remarks  on  his  or  their  slips,  failings  or 
imperfections.     4.     No  person  shall  speak  more  than  three  times 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  233 

on  one  subject,  and  shall  not  exceed  fifteen  minutes  in  either  speech 
without  liberty  from  the  Association.  5.  The  moderator  shall 
not  interrupt  any  member  or  prohibit  him  from  speaking,  except 
he  breaks  the  rules  of  this  decorum.  6.  No  member  shall  have 
the  liberty  of  laughing  during  the  sitting  of  the  same;  nor  whisper- 
ing in  the  time  of  a  public  speech.  7.  No  person  shall  abruptly 
break  off  or  absent  himself  from  the  Association  without  liberty 
obtained  from  it.  8.  The  names  of  the  several  members  of  the 
Association  shall  be  enrolled  by  the  clerk,  and  called  again  as  often 
as  the  Association  requires.  9.  The  moderator  shall  be  entitled 
to  the  same  privilege  of  speech  as  any  member,  provided  the  chair 
shall  be  filled  by  the  clerk,  or  any  other  member,  during  the  time 
he  is  speaking.  10.  Every  member  who  shall  break  any  of  the 
above  contained  rules  shall  be  reproved  by  the  Association  as  they 
shall  think  proper. 

In  1804,  Elders  Seaman  and  Kendrick  and  Higbee  were  ap- 
pointed a  committee  to  form  a  plan  for  a  missionary  society. 
September  26,  1806,  the  society  was  organized,  and  carried  on  the 
work  with  system  and  vigor.  The  men  ready  for  this  kind  of 
service  were  Samuel  Smith,  Jeremiah  Higbee,  Joel  Manning,  Wm. 
Elliot,  Ariel  Kendrick,  Elijah  Wiley,  Stephen  Choat,  Jabes  Cottle, 
Thomas  Baker.  These  men  went  upon  journeys  of  two  months' 
duration,  usually,  though  sometimes  shorter  journeys  were  made. 
In  1809,  three  such  journeys  were  made;  in  1810,  five;  and  in  1811, 
as  many  more.  Their  journeys  were  usually  about  five  or  six 
hundred  miles.  Elder  Manning  giving  an  account  of  one  of  his 
travels  said:  "I  have  tried  to  preach  forty -five  times,  have  passed 
through  fifty-eight  towns,  and  have  rode  five  hundred  and  forty 
miles."  Besides  public  services  they  made  many  family  visits  and 
preached  what  they  were  pleased  to  call  chimney  corner  sermons. 

Now  and  then  they  had  the  opportunity  to  baptize  converts 
and  were  always  welcomed  by  the  scattered  people,  and  did  a 
great  amount  of  good.  For  this  arduous  and  important  service 
they  received  from  the  society  treasury  at  the  rate  of  five  dollars 
per  week. 

Illustrative  of  the  watchfulness  of  the  Associations  over  each 
other  and  of  the  Associations  themselves  over  their  own  members. 


234  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

in  1812,  a  communication  was  received  from  the  Vermont  Associa- 
tion that  they  had  received  impressions  that  some  of  the  members 
of  the  Woodstock  Association  were  heterodox  in  sentiment  and 
requested  information.  A  committee  of  inquiry  was  appointed, 
and  in  1814,  Elders  Jeremiah  Higbee  and  Joel  Manning  submitted 
to  the  committee  a  statement  of  their  belief  concerning  the  Son- 
ship  of  Christ.  The  Association  voted  disapproval  of  the  senti- 
ments expressed,  but,  in  view  of  the  pleasant  connection  between 
them  and  these  brethren,  they  resolved  to  postpone  action  in  hope 
that  the  brethren  would  return  to  soundness  of  faith. 

The  result  was  as  anticipated,  and  the  two  brethren  made 
further  statements  retracting  the  former  ones  and  were  fellow- 
shiped  accordingly. 

The  year,  1814,  memorable  in  the  history  of  American  Bap- 
tists in  general,  as  the  date  when  the  General  Missionary  Con- 
vention of  the  Baptist  Denomination  in  the  United  States  for 
Foreign  Missions  was  organized,  was  an  eventful  one  in  the  history 
of  this  Association.  At  this  session  Luther  Rice  was  present,  and 
under  the  inspiring  influence  of  his  words  and  presence,  great 
interest  was  aroused  in  the  work  of  foreign  missions,  and  a  com- 
mittee consisting  of  Kendrick,  Going  and  Manning  was  appointed, 
to  report  on  the  expediency  of  forming  a  society  in  this  vicinity, 
for  the  promotion  of  foreign  missions.  That  committee  reported 
in  favor  of  such  an  organization,  and  the  society  was  formed  during 
that  session.  In  1816,  this  society  had  received  $826.51  and 
had  remitted  to  the  treasury,  at  Boston,  $600.  In  1818,  they 
remitted  $300.  Says  Dr.  Archibald,  "If  now  we  remember  that 
in  that  year,  1818,  all  the  receipts  from  the  whole  country  were 
only  $8,076.51,  that  in  that  year  Massachusetts  paid  only  $676.51 
and  Connecticut  only  $316.51,  we  shall  see  that  this  Association 
was  doing  much  more  than  its  proportionate  share  of  sustaining 
the  infant  enterprise." 

The  year  1814,  was  marked  by  another  enterprise  on  the  part 
of  the  Association.  The  record  is  as  follows:  "As  a  request  from 
the  first  church  in  Windsor  was  brought  forward  to  the  Associa- 
tion to  encourage  the  formation  of  a  Charitable  Education  Society 
for  the  purpose  of  improving  the  minds  of  pious  youth,  who  are 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  235 

called  to  the  Gospel  ministry,  appointed  Brn.  Leland,  Higbee, 
Lampson,  Bradley,  Elliott,  Kendrick,  Going,  Dea.  Manning, 
Abner  Forbes,  Hon.  Judge  Fletcher,  of  Cavendish,  to  meet  at  Wind- 
sor, of  the  first  of  January  next,  1815,  at  two  o'clock  p.  m.,  to  form 
a  constitution  for  an  Education  Society,  and  print  a  circular  for 
the  churches.  Also  the  churches  are  requested  to  contribute  in 
the  course  of  the  year  for  this  laudable  purpose  and  forward  the 
same  by  their  messengers  to  the  next  Association."  The  reports 
of  this  society  show  that  it  was  very  cordially  and  generously 
sustained  during  its  existence.  In  the  report  for  1822  is  an  item 
of  interest.  Donation  by  Wm.  Cheney  for  B.  Stow.  This  bene- 
ficiary was  doubtless  Baron  Stowe,  who  was  at  that  time  a  student 
in  Columbian  College,  D.  C.  The  Treasurer's  reports  indicate  that 
the  women  of  the  churches  were  specially  interested  in  this  work, 
socks,  cotton  shirts,  fulled  cloth,  appearing  with  items  of  cash  from 
Female  Mite  Societies,  and  individual  sisters. 

Both  the  Missionary  Society  and  the  Education  Society  con- 
tinued their  work  till  1826,  when  by  vote  they  were  both  dissolved, 
and  transferred  their  work  to  the  Vermont  and  New  Hampshire 
Baptist  State  Conventions,  then  just  formed. 

This  Association  took  a  deep  interest  in  the  educational  in- 
stitutions of  the  State,  commending  Brandon  Academy,  Leland 
and  Gray  Academy,  Black  River,  New  Hampton  Institute,  and 
Vermont  Academy,  to  the  co-operation,  prayers  and  benefactions 
of  the  people. 

In  1845,  the  Association  pledged  itself  to  furnish  the  means 
for  the  support  of  a  missionary  in  the  foreign  field,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Baptist  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  with  the  re- 
quest that  the  missionary  thus  supported  should  make  yearly 
communications,  to  this  body,  and  oftener  if  he  may  deem  it  ad- 
visable. The  cost  of  this  enterprise  was  apportioned  among  the 
churches,  in  sums  ranging  from  ten  to  fifteen  dollars  for  each  of 
the  smaller  churches,  and  from  thirty-five  to  fifty  dollars  for  each 
of  the  larger  churches.  A  committee  of  one  from  each  church  was 
appointed  to  carry  out  this  plan.  E.  Hutchinson,  of  Windsor,  was 
appointed  to  do  the  corresponding  with  the  Board  at  Boston. 


236  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  proposition  of  the  Association  was  pleasing  to  the  Board, 
and  Rev.  Nathan  Brown,  of  the  Assam  Mission,  became  the 
missionary  of  the  Woodstock  Association  upon  the  foreign  field, 
and  an  interesting  letter  from  him  each  year,  during  his  mission  on 
that  field  gave  special  interest  to  the  sessions  of  the  Association. 
The  salary  of  the  missionary  was  increased  in  1847  to  $600,  and 
the  assessments  upon  the  churches  increased  accordingly,  the 
total   assessments   amounting  to   $674. 

It  is  greatly  to  the  honor  of  the  Woodstock  Association  to 
have  been  thus  associated  with  Nathan  Brown,  translator  of  the 
New  Testament  into  the  languages  of  the  Assamese  and  the  Japa- 
nese. 

The  name  of  Aaron  Leland  will  always  stand  at  the  head  of 
the  list  of  honored  leaders  of  this  Association.  Though  not  the 
founder  of  it,  he  was  more  truly  than  any  other  the  father  of  it. 
From  1786,  till  his  death  in  1832,  he  gave  his  influence  to  the  church- 
es of  this  organization.  Twenty-six  years  he  served  as  moderator. 
These  were  in  three  periods  of  eight  successive  years  each,  and 
two  at  intervals.  Six  sessions  he  was  the  preacher  of  the  annual 
sermon.  He  was  the  author  of  three  circular  letters,  and  one 
corresponding  letter.  He  was  appointed  first  on  a  committee 
to  draft  a  constitution  for  an  Education  Society.  He  was  Presi- 
dent of  the  Board  of  the  Union  Missionary  Society  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, and  Vermont.  In  1823,  he  was  appointed  delegate  to  Mont- 
pelier  to  consider  the  expediency  of  forming  the  Vermont  Baptist 
State  Convention.  His  activity  in  civil  affairs  was  a  cause  of 
grief  to  some  of  his  weaker  brethren.  As  early  as  1804  he  had 
been  sent  for  the  fourth  time  to  the  State  Legislature,  as  Representa- 
tive of  his  town,  Chester.  That  year  the  Association  was  called 
upon  by  delegates  from  the  Plainfield  church  to  answer  the  query, 
"Does  it  agree  with  the  doctrine  or  example  of  Christ  or  his  Apostles 
for  ministers  of  the  gospel  to  be  ministers  of  State  or  to  be  in  any 
civil  or  military  ofiice.''"  The  answer  given  by  the  Association 
was  that  "We  conceive  that  those  whom  Christ  has  called  into  the 
ministry  have  enough  to  do  in  his  kingdom,  without  being  en- 
tangled in  the  affairs  of  this  life,  according  to  1  Tim.  4:13,  to  the 
end,  and  2  Tim.  2:  3,  4."     This  was  no  doubt  covertly  aimed  at 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  237 

Mr.  Leland.  The  following  year  the  Vermont  Association  passed 
a  resolution,  openly  censuring  Mr.  Leland  for  this,  and  calling 
upon  the  Woodstock  Association  to  take  some  action  in  regard  to 
the  matter. 

In  1806,  the  iVssociation  gave  serious  consideration  to  this 
complaint,  but  finally  dismissed  it  on  the  ground  that  the  com- 
plainants had  not  produced  any  evidence  that  they  had  taken  the 
pre\aous  labors  with  Elder  Leland,  that  the  Gospel  requires. 
Henceforth  he  was  left  undisturbed  by  the  Association  in  the 
enjoyment  of  his  civil  honors,  and  in  the  discharge  of  his  arduous 
duties,  as  one  of  the  foremost  christian  citizens  in  his  state. 

Elder  Daniel  Packer  was  another  man  of  influence  in  the 
early  days.  Ordained  pastor  of  the  Mount  Holly  church  in  1811, 
he  continued  in  that  office  without  interruption  thirty-five  years, 
and  under  his  administration,  this  church  increased  from  its  origi- 
nal membership  of  thirty  to  become  one  of  the  largest,  if  not  the 
largest  church  in  the  State.  In  1842,  as  appears  from  the  record, 
this  church  numbered  four  hundred  and  sixty-six  members,  and 
this  too,  after  forty-two  members  had  been  dismissed,  in  1830,  to 
form  the  new  church  in  East  Wallingford,  and  about  the  same 
number  to  form  the  church  in  the  adjoining  town  of  Plymouth  and 
Shrewsbury  in  1833.  Mr.  Packer  was  chosen  moderator  at  nine 
sessions  of  the  Association. 

There  are  other  names  that  will  always  be  associated  with  this 
association  where  the  most  of  their  life  work  was  wrought.  Jabes 
Cottle,  Job  Seamans,  Samuel  Ambrose,  Jeremiah  Higbee,  Nathan- 
iel Kendrick,  C.  W.  Hodges,  Benjamin  Briarly,  Horace  Fletcher, 
Joel  Manning,  Elijah  Hutchinson,  Ira  Pearson,  Baxter  Burrows 
and  Joseph  Freeman. 

In  the  town  of  Reading  originated  a  notable  family  of  minis- 
ters: Jonathan  Going,  D.  D.,  Ezra  Going,  James  Going  and  Eliab 
Going.  Jonathan  Going  was  a  graduate  of  Brown  University,  and 
probably  the  earliest  college  graduate  among  the  ministers  of 
Vermont.  He  was  ordained  in  Cavendish  in  1811,  and  was  the 
first  pastor  of  that  church.  From  the  church  in  Windsor,  came 
S.  S.  Cutting,  D.  D.  In  Cavendish  originated  Addison  Parker, 
J.  W.  Parker,  D.  D.,  and  I.  H.  Parker,  D.  D.,  all  of  whom  have  at- 
tained prominence  and  rendered  valuable  service  in  the    ministry 


238  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

One  of  the  first  queries  in  this  Association  was  concerning 
family  prayer,  "Is  it  a  crime  for  a  brother  to  neglect  constant 
family  prayer?"  The  reply  of  the  Association  was:  "It  is  the 
opinion  of  this  body  that  praying  in  and  for  and  worshipping 
God  with  our  families  is  incumbent  on  us  as  christians,  and 
neglecting  the  same  daily  is  contrary  to  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and 
practice  of  the  people  of  God,  whose  character  is  therein 
exhibited,  dishonorable  to  God,  contrary  to  our  profession  as 
christians,  and  a  matter  of  grief  to  the  dear  people  of  God." 

The  question,  "Is  it  expedient  or  for  the  honor  of  religion  to 
ascribe  the  title  of  Reverend  to  our  Elders?"  received  the  brief 
answer  "No." 

"Is  it  necessary  that  Elders  or  brethren  become  Masons?" 
received  the  same  answer,  "No."     This  was  in  1804. 

When  the  question  was  brought  up  in  1867,  "Ought  churches 
to  approve  of  secret  societies  and  fellowship  members,  who  belong 
to,  and  take  an  active  part  as  members  and  officers  in  such  socie- 
ties?" The  conservative  reply  was,  "It  is  well  known  that  a 
decided  difference  of  judgment  exists  in  this  Association  itself 
upon  the  subject  suggested  by  this  inquiry.  As  the  whole  value 
of  a  recommendation  from  this  body  consists  in  the  moral  power 
which  arises  from  something  approaching  unanimity  in  its  utter- 
ance, your  committee  deem  it  inexpedient  to  express  any  opinion  on 
this  point,  other  than  to  earnestly  entreat  the  churches  carefully 
to  administer  the  law  of  Christ,  while  at  the  same  time  they  seek 
for  the  things  that  make  for  j)eace  and  things  whereby  they  may 
edify  one  another. " 

In  1795,  the  question  was  presented,  "Is  it  a  transgression 
of  Gospel  rule  to  admit  a  person  who  is  a  member  of  no  church  to 
sit  in  council,  when  said  council  is  called  to  assist  in  ordination 
or  other  important  affair  of  the  church. " 

The  Association  united  in  the  reply,  "It  is  the  opinion  of  this 
Association  that  although  it  would  be  contrary  to  Gospel  rule  to 
admit  a  man  who  is  not  a  member  of  any  church  to  sit  in  council, 
to  act  authoritatively,  yet  circumstances  may  exist  which  would 
not  only  render  it  allowable  but  expedient  to  take  the  advice  of 
serious,  judicious  men  in  certain  difficulties." 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  239 

In  1798,  discussions  upon  the  doctrines  of  predestination  and 
perseverance  of  the  saints  raised  the  question,  "Whether  we  can 
nileably  hold  fellowship  with  any  people  who  deny  both." 

Answer.  "We  take  it  for  granted  that  the  churches  which 
compose  this  Association  are  agreed  in  these  two  great  truths. 
Therefore,  we  view  the  doctrineof  predestination  and  the  persever- 
ance of  saints  to  be  clearly  revealed  in  the  word  of  God,  insepara- 
bly connected  with  the  doctrine  of  Christ  and  the  faith  which  was 
once  delivered  to  the  saints,  that  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salva- 
tion of  depraved  men  are  so  dependent  on  these  important  truths 
that  a  regular  church  of  Christ  can  by  no  means  ruleably  commune 
with  those  who  either  in  single  capacity  or  church  state,  deny 
them.  ' 

The  following  peculiar  question  calls  attention  to  a  singular 
case,  "Is  it  right  to  hold  fellowship  with  a  brother  who  has  made 
an  attempt  to  cast  out  devils  and  continues  to  justify  his  conduct?  " 

Answer.     "  It  is  the  opinion  of  this  Association  that  it  is  not. " 

The  following  question  was  doubtless  aimed  at  Elder  Aaron 
Leland,  and  gave  the  Association  an  opportunity  to  give  an  early 
endorsement  of  christian  citizenship.  The  question  was  raised 
in  1810:  "Is  it  agreeable  to  Scripture  rule  for  christian  brethren  to 
take  active  part  in  making  or  executing  human  laws?" 

x4.nswer.  "It  is  the  opinion  of  the  Association  that  brethren 
not  engaged  in  the  Gospel  ministiy,  are  not  prohibited  by  divine 
rule  from  taking  active  part  in  either  the  legislative  or  executive 
department;  that  it  would  be  a  real  blessing  to  the  community  at 
large,  if  the  members  of  both  were  true  lo\'ers  of  righteousness,  for 
when  the  righteous  are  in  authority,  the  people  rejoice,  but  when 
the  wicked  bear  rule  the  people  mourn.     Proverbs  19:  2." 

Concerning  the  duty  of  members  contributing  proportionately 
to  the  support  of  preaching,  the  Association  ruled,  "We  recommend 
to  the  churches  to  be  very  careful  to  make  their  assessments 
equitable,  and  when  so  made,  if  any  brother  refuses  to  submit  to 
them  we  think  he  ought  to  be  disciplined,  and  if  he  persists  in  his 
refusal,  be  excluded." 

The  answers  to  queries  reveal  a  commendable  judicial  spirit 
in  the  Association  as  a  body,  but  also  suggest  a  disposition  on  the 


240  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

part  of  the  questioners  not  so  clearly  commendable.  Concerning 
the  custom  of  asking  questions  and  the  outcome  of  it,  Elder  Sabin 
wrote  in  his  personal  recollections :  "  The  questions  were  some  of 
them  amusing,  and  some  of  them  perplexing,  and  most  of  them  came 
from  persons  whose  minds  were  made  up  on  the  questions  and  they 
did  not  so  much  want  instruction  themselves,  as  to  express  and 
impose  their  opinion  upon  others.  They  were  often  designed  to 
drive  certain  persons  or  churches  to  take  stand  upon  some  dis- 
puted point  or  topic,  and  so  to  definitely  make  a  line  of  division 
that  was  indistinctly  drawTi  before.  It  seemed  to  form  for  a  cer- 
tain class  of  minds  an  opportunity  to  keep  the  waters  so  agitated 
that  the  sediment  could  not  settle  and  its  transparency  seldom 
appeared,  and  for  many  years  the  practice  has  wholly  disap- 
peared. " 


Chapter  XVI 

LATER  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  CHURCHES  IN  THE 
WOODSTOCK  ASSOCIATION 

Windsor 

Baptists  were  among  the  first  settlers  of  the  town  of  Windsor. 
As  early  as  March  26,  1779,  Roswell  Smith  and  Joseph  Thompson 
were  dismissed  from  the  Congregational  church,  East  Parish, 
"to  build  with  the  Baptists."  Mrs.  Thompson,  wife  of  Joseph, 
was  dismissed  April  1,  the  same  year.  Joel  Butler,  who  afterward 
preached  in  Woodstock,  was  dismissed  November  15,  1780,  and 
his  wife,  October  4.  Captain  Steel  Smith,  the  first  settler  of  the 
town,  a  member  of  the  Congregational  church  in  Windsor  prior 
to  April  4,  1779,  was  dismissed  (date  not  known),  "to  the  Baptist 
church. "  He  united  at  Windsor  by  letter  from  the  Baptist  church 
in  Woodstock,  December  30,  1789. 

The  church  relationship  these  dismissed  members  of  the 
Congregational  church  held,  was  with  the  Baptist  church  in 
Woodstock. 

Baptist  preaching  at  that  time  was  occasionally  enjoyed  in 
Windsor.  Elder  Peak,  in  his  autobiography,  refers  to  a  Sabbath, 
August  9,  1785,  when  Mr.  Peckins,  of  Claremont,  preached  in  the 
forenoon,  and  Mr.  Joel  Butler,  of  Woodstock,  in  the  afternoon, 
on  which  day  also  the  Lord's  Supper  was  observed.  The  services 
were  held  in  a  private  house,  as  they  continued  to  be  for  several 
years. 

The  first  record  in  the  church  book  is  as  follows : 

"Whereas,  a  branch  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Woodstock, 
living  in  Windsor,  State  of  Vermont,  met  by  mutual  agreement  in 
the  house  of  Deacon  J.  Thompson,  on  the  third  day  of  December, 
1785,  to  confer  respecting  building  a  church  in  Windsor,  having 


242  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

previous  liberty  the rf ore  from  the  Woodstock  church,  proceeded 
to  unite  under  the  character  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Wind- 
sor, and  signed  a  covenant. "  Signed  by  three  brethren,  Frederic 
Burnham,  John  Gill,  and  Joseph  Thompson.  Roswell  Smith 
joined  January  5,  Joseph  Drake  and  Bela  Rogers  on  the  12th  of 
the  same  month,  on  which  day  it  was  voted,  "Brother  Smith  is 
received  with  his  gift,  as  recommended  from  Woodstock."  April 
20,  Mr.  Smith  was  called  to  constant  improvement.  He  being 
present,  consented  to  it." 

This  church  was  received  into  the  Woodstock  Association  at 
its  anniversary  in  Sutton,  N.  H.,  in  1786,  and  the  following  year 
the  Association  met  with  the  church  in  Windsor,  holdmg  their 
session  in  the  Congregational  church.  West  Parish. 

Various  persons  preached  to  this  newly  formed  church  during 
the  first  years  of  its  existence.  Besides  Roswell  Smith,  the  names 
are  mentioned  of  Elder  Ransom,  E.  Ainsworth,  and  J.  Peckins. 
The  arrangments  to  meet  the  expense  of  preaching  were  very 
simple.  October  12,  1786,  a  committee  was  raised  to  examine 
Brother  Roswell  Smith's  outward  circumstances,  who  reported, 
recommending  that  about  five  pounds  should  be  raised,  and  this, 
as  another  committee  subsequently  reported,  "by  equality." 
The  year  following  the  church  raised  five  pounds  in  produce,  equal 
to  wheat  at  five  shillings,  to  be  stored  in  the  house  of  Brother  J. 
Thompson,  and  applied  as  the  church  should  think  best  hereafter. 
This  amount  was  divided,  to  Elder  J.  Peckins,  for  his  past  labors 
of  love,  one  pound,  four  shillings;  to  Elder  Peak,  eighteen  shillings, 
for  like  work,  and  three  pounds  for  regular  pastoral  services. 
Elder  Peak,  who  had  previously  preached  to  the  church  occasional- 
ly, was  invited  October  13,  1787,  to  become  pastor  of  the  church, 
and  subsequently  another  vote  was  passed,  as  follows : 

"November  5.  Met  by  sudden  notice  at  the  house  of  Joseph 
Thompson,  chose  John  Gill,  Moderator;  voted  in  addition  to  the 
first  vote  passed  October  13,  (viz.)  to  call  on  Brother  John  Peak 
to  come  with  his  family  and  lead  in  the  worship  of  God  with  us, 
as  long  as  we  shall  think  it  is  for  God's  glorj'  and  our  owti  comfort 
and  edification. " 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  243 

A  committee  appointed  to  look  up  a  house  for  Brother  Peak 
reported  that  the  church  could  have  the  house  of  Mr.  Jacob  Patrick, 
knowTi  by  the  name  of  Dad  Hall's  House,  the  use  of  it  to  be  judged 
by  indifferent  men,  in  case  we  did  not  agree  to  pay  down  one 
thousand  large  nails  and  four  thousand  small  nails. 

Elder  Peak  moved  Avith  his  family  to  Windsor,  November, 
1787.  The  church  then  numbered  eleven,  of  which  five  were 
males.  During  the  winter  considerable  interest  prevailed  and 
conversions  ensued.  Mr.  Peak  was  ordained  the  first  pastor  of 
the  church,  June  18,  1788.  William  Grow  presided;  Eben  Bailey 
offered  ordaining  prayer;  Joseph  Cornell  gave  the  charge;  Joseph 
Call  the  hand  of  fellowship.  On  the  Sabbath  following,  the  newly 
ordained  pastor  baptized  several  young  converts,  and  during  the 
summer  about  thirty.  The  attendance  was  soon  too  large  for 
private  houses.  The  meetings  were  removed  from  Sabbath  to 
Sabbath  to  different  parts  of  the  town,  to  give  all  a  share.  For 
a  while  a  hall  over  the  school  room  in  the  West  Parish  was  oc- 
cupied. When  Rev.  Pelatiah  Chapin  closed  his  labors  with  the 
Congregational  church  in  the  West  Parish,  an  invitation  was 
extended  to  the  Baptists  to  use  the  house  in  that  parish,  when  not 
otherwise  occupied.  The  three  men  who  earnestly  opposed  this 
matter  were  afterward  won  over  in  a  remarkable  manner.  One, 
who  carried  a  large  cane,  and  who  said,  "Peak  will  not  get  by  me 
into  the  pulpit,"  was,  a  few  days  afterward,  at  a  funeral,  melted 
to  tears  under  Mr.  Peak's  sermon,  and  became  a  constant  friend. 
Another  who  said,  "He  had  rather  see  hell-fire  in  the  pulpit  than 
to  see  Peak  there,"  had  a  little  daughter  scalded  to  death,  about  a 
week  after  the  parish  meeting,  and  in  a  few  months  after,  his  only 
boy  was  drowned.  Mr.  Peak  attended  both  funerals;  the  father 
and  mother  were  both  brought  to  Jesus,  and  were  baptized  by  Mr. 
Peak.  The  third,  who  said  with  an  oath,  "He  wished  the  house 
was  in  flames,"  called  for  Mr.  Peak  about  two  weeks  after  the 
parish  meeting  with  his  wife,  who  was  deeply  convicted  for  sin. 
The  wife  was  soon  after  baptized  and  her  husband  continued  a 
firm  friend  of  Mr.  Peak's.  The  opposition  being  removed,  the 
church  occupied  the  meeting-house  in  West  Parish  the  remainder 
of  Mr.  Peak's  pastorate  in  town.     "Almost  every  family  in  the 


244  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

parish,"  says  Mr.  Peak  in  his  autobiography,  "and  many  in  the 
East  Parish  attended  our  meetings,  and  members  were  added  to 
the  church  from  Hartland,  Weathersfield  and  Reading.  Mr.  Peak's 
pastorate  continued  in  Windsor  about  five  years,  and  the  church 
was  increased  from  eleven  to  seventy-five  members.  Mr.  Peak 
was  a  tailor  by  trade,  and  for  lack  of  adequate  support  much  of 
his  time  was  diverted  from  the  ministry  to  support  himself  and 
family.  Other  churches  appreciated  his  gifts,  and  were  willing  to 
let  him  give  himself  wholly  to  the  ministry  of  the  Word.  He  re- 
moved to  Deerfield,  N.  H.,  in  June,  1793,  and  died  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  in  1841,  "full  of  years  greatly  respected,  leaving  behind 
him  abundant  fruit  as  the  result  of  a  faithful  ministry." 

'Roswell  Smith  served  a  successful  pastorate  from  March  18, 
1793,  till  1800,  followed  by  William  Ewing,  1800-1803.  Samuel 
Sweet,  1803-1804.  About  1802  a  meeting-house  was  built  but 
never  finished  inside,  about  four  miles  west  of  Windsor  East 
Parish,  and  about  the  same  time  a  church  was  constituted  in  West 
Parish.  This  church  existed  till  1842.  Samuel  Lamson  was 
pastor  throughout  its  life.  From  a  membership  of  between  thirty 
and  forty  it  reached  the  number  fifty-five,  and  maintained  for 
several  years  a  membership  of  about  fifty.  Its  decline  was  some- 
what rapid. 

Daniel  Bigbee  was  pastor  of  the  East  Parish  church  in  1810, 
and  that  year  thirty-eight  were  added.  Jabez  Cottle  served  two 
years,  1811-1813;  Joshua  Bradley  1814-1816,  a  period  of  marked 
progress.  The  brick  meeting-house  still  occupied,  was  built  at 
that  time.  Leland  Howard  was  ordained  sixth  pastor  October 
23,  1816,  and  served  till  October,  1822,  followed  by  Romeo  Elton, 
one  year,  and  M.  W.  Williams,  one  year.  C.  S.  Hale  ordained 
August  2,  1826,  served  till  November,  1828.  Leland  Howard  be- 
gan a  second  pastorate  in  1829  and  served  till  August,  1833.  This 
pastorate  was  a  continual  revival  in  which  one  hundred  and  nine 
were  added  by  baptism,  and  eleven  were  received  by  letter,  and 
the  membership  became  one  hundred  and  ninety-eight.  Then 
began  the  long  pastorate  of  Elijah  Hutchinson,  1835-1860.  The 
first  year  of  this  pastorate  was  marked  by  an  extensive  ingather- 
ing, when  eighty -four  were  baptized.   Annual  accessions  continued 


Deacon  B.  A.  Park,  Chester 

Member  of  Convention  Board 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  245 

to  be  made.  In  1843  and  1844,  another  special  interest  occurred 
and  the  number  of  members  became  two  hundred  and  fifty-four, 
its  maximum  figure. 

Mr.  Hutchinson  was  succeeded  by  G.  S.  Abbott,  1861;  S.  K. 
Dexter,  1865;  S.  M.  Whiting,  1869;  A.  H.  Ball,  1872;  W.  M.  Mick, 
1876;  J.  M.  Hull,  1880;  F.  W.  Preble,  1885;  W.  C.  Carr,  1887;  S. 
D.  Moxley,  1890;  E.  H.  Sweet,  1894;  E.  W.  Potter,  1895;  F.  E. 
Coburn,  1898;  Thomas  Cain,  1901;  G.  W.  Clough,  1906;  A.  B. 
McLaurin,  1909;  J.  E.  Naylor,  1910;  E.  S.  Doloway,  1911.  Sixty- 
one  were  received  to  membership  during  the  three  years  of  Mr. 
Whiting's  pastorate,  but  a  large  number  were  dismissed  or  dropped 
from  the  roll,  twenty-eight  were  added  in  1874,  twenty-two  in 
1906.  There  has  been  no  general  revival  for  many  years.  Present 
membership,  (1912)  fifty-five. 

Chester 

July  4,  1813,  William  Howard  was  baptized  and  received 
into  the  church.  The  next  year  he  was  chosen  clerk  and  served 
in  that  office  till  his  death,  sixty -two  years.  He  was  also  deacon, 
faithful  in  his  duties,  and  greatly  beloved.  From  1823  to  1825 
an  unhappy  difficulty  arose  between  a  small  but  influential  portion 
of  the  church  and  Elder  Leland.  Lei  and  was  painfully  affected 
by  the  assaults  of  his  opposers.  The  church,  too,  were  deeply 
affected.  After  long  labor  they  excluded  eleven  disaffected  mem- 
bers, and  wrote  letters  of  fellowship  to  their  pastor.  A  council 
was  called  which  proved  one  of  marked  ability.  Elder  Leland  was 
found  to  have  exhibited  a  spirit  more  ambitious  for  secular  honors, 
and  less  meek  and  gentle  than  was  becoming,  but  all  the  more 
serious  charges  against  him  were  declared  unfounded.  The  ex- 
cluded persons  were  reproved  as  having  dishonored  Christ,  and 
were  exhorted  to  repent,  confess  and  seek  re-admission  to  the 
church.  The  decision  of  the  council  quieted  the  painful  contro- 
versy but  a  more  effective  healing  remedy  was  at  hand.  In  1830, 
revival  influences  began  to  be  felt  and  eleven  were  baptized,  the 
church  and  the  excluded  members  made  mutual  confessions  and 
were  reconciled.     The  revival  became  more  powerful,  and  within 


246  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

fourteen  months  one  hundred  and  fourteen  had  been  added  to  the 
church  by  baptism  and  many  others  by  restoration  and  experience 
and  letter.  While  the  revival  spirit  still  lingered  Elder  Leland 
died,  having  served  the  church  as  pastor  forty-three  years  from 
its  organization. 

In  1832,  a  Sunday  school  was  organized  and  became  an  in- 
fluential department  of  the  church  work.  The  same  year  that 
Elder  Leland  died,  Jacob  S.  McCuUam,  a  young  man  and  a  licen- 
tiate began  his  ministry  and  the  next  year  was  ordained  pastor, 
continuing  three  years,  dm-ing  which  time  a  new  and  commodious 
meeting-house  was  erected,  and  twenty -three  were  added  to  the 
church  by  baptism.  The  losses,  however,  were  many  and  the 
membership  decreased  from  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven  to  one 
hundred  and  ninety-seven.  Ira  Pearson  was  next  pastor,  1835- 
1837,  and  forty-six  were  baptized  by  him,  the  membership  becom- 
ing two  hundred  and  three.  Rev.  R.  M.  Ely  was  pastor  from  1837 
to  1842.  In  1844,  Rev.  Reuben  Sawyer  became  pastor  and  con- 
tinued in  office  nine  years.  During  this,  and  a  part  of  the  preced- 
ing pastorate,  the  church  appears  to  have  been  brought  to  the 
verge  of  ruin.  The  demon  of  discord  was  rampant.  The  record 
of  disciplinary  actions  are  painful  to  read.  ^  cry  few  were  baptized 
and  the  membership  declined  to  one  hundred  and  seven.  In  1834, 
under  a  kind  providence.  Rev.  Ira  Pearson  came  as  a  peacemaker, 
laboring  "with  marked  success.  Troubles  were  in  a  measure  healed. 
Thirteen  were  received  by  baptism  in  the  year  he  served.  The 
next  year  Rev.  D.  Burrows  began  a  three  years'  pastorate.  The 
church  edifice  was  thoroughly  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $1,200. 
Rev.  C.  G.  Gurr  was  pastor  from  1858  to  1867,  a  peaceful 
pastorate,  though  accessions  did  not  equal  losses,  and  the  mem- 
bership became  one  hundred  and  four.  In  1867,  Rev.  Charles 
Hibbard,  a  returned  missionary  and  skillful  worker  was  called, 
and  the  same  year,  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  the  evangelist,  came  to  assist 
him  in  special  meetings,  in  which  most  of  the  neighboring  pas- 
tors assisted,  and  during  that  Associational  year  fifty  were  bap- 
tized into  the  fellowship  of  the  church.  Accessions  continued 
armually,  and  during  Mr.  Hibbard's  pastorate  of  seven  years, 
one  hundred  and  seventy-one  were  received  into  the  church,  one 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  247 

hundred  and  one  by  baptism,  and  seventy-one  by  letter,  ex- 
perience and  restoration.  A  healthful  missionary  spirit  was  stim- 
ulated. The  next  pastorate  was  one  of  continued  advance. 
Rev.  J.  J.  Townshend,  ably  sustained  by  the  people,  had  the 
privilege  of  welcoming  sixty-one  to  membership  in  the  six  years 
of  his  stay.  Rev.  R.  A.  Wilson  had  a  short  term  of  about  one 
year.  Ernest  L.  Scott  was  pastor,  1884-1886;  Rev.  H.  B. 
Tilden,  1888-1890;  Rev.  J.  H.  Robbins,  1892-1893;  Rev.  James  E, 
Beach,  1895;  Rev.  J.  M.  Ashton,  1897-1898;  Rev.  Henry  Crocker, 
1899-1906;  R.  M.  Jones,  1906.  During  these  years  the  church 
maintained  a  normal  life,  without  extensive  revivals  and  "with- 
out serious  reverses.  The  accessions  have  just  about  balanced 
the  losses,  which  have  been  considerable.  Rev.  James  M.  Beach 
was  specially  winning  in  his  manner  and  work,  and  in  the  short 
time  he  was  here  won  their  affection  and  esteem.  His  death, 
soon  after  leaving  Chester,  was  an  occasion  of  sincere  grief,  and 
his  name  is  always  mentioned  with  peculiar  evidence  of  the  hold 
he  gained  upon  the  hearts  of  the  people.  In  1900,  the  church 
erected  a  convenient  parsonage,  and  in  1910,  thoroughly  renovated 
the  church  edifice  at  considerable  expense.  In  benevolent  enter- 
prises of  the  State  and  denomination  it  has  taken  a  generous  in- 
terest.    Membership,  one  hundred  and  fifty -nine  in  1912. 

Reading 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Reading  Center  in  1788, 
and  that  year  was  received  into  the  Woodstock  Association.  The 
minutes  of  the  Association  are  the  only  source  of  information 
available  concerning  this  church.  In  1790,  sixteen  members  were 
added.  The  largest  membership  reported  was  in  1806,  forty-one 
members.  The  Association  provided  for  a  few  years  that  this 
church  should  have  a  few  Sundays  supplied  by  its  strongest  pastors. 
Thus  in  1789,  Elder  Peck  was  appointed  to  supply  their  pulpit 
the  third  Sunday  in  December,  Elder  Aaron  Leland,  the  first  Sun- 
day in  August,  and  Elder  EUiot,  the  first  Sunday  in  December. 
In  1790,  Elder  Peak,  and  Elder  Drew  were  appointed  each  for  one 
Sunday,  and  in  1791,  Elder  Elliot,  Elder  Aaron  Leland,  and  Elder 
Hibbard  were  the  supplies. 


248  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  names  of  the  members  who  were  sent  as  delegates  to  the 
Association  were  Asa  Wilkins,  Joseph  Carpenter,  Isaac  Wilkins, 
Daniel  Edson,  Zimri  Kendall,  Isaac  Kendall,  Samuel  White, 
Ephraim  Hubbell,  John  Moore,  Samuel  Lamson,  Samuel  Buck, 
Lemuel  Pierson,  Jr.  The  church  ceased  to  report  to  the  Associa- 
tion in  1810,  and  doubtless  became  extinct  about  that  time. 

North  Springfield 

In  a  warrant  for  a  towni  meeting  in  Springfield,  issued  February 
29,  1788,  the  second  article  read,  "To  see  what  the  town  will  do 
respecting  the  Baptist  Society."  At  an  adjourned  meeting  held 
March  20, 1788,  the  record  reads,  "Voted  to  pass  the  second  article 
which  is  to  see  what  the  town  will  do  respecting  the  Baptist  Soci- 
ety and  consider  the  article  respecting  the  meeting-house  spot 
and  the  dimensions  of  the  same."  Of  the  same  meeting  the 
fourth  item  in  the  record  is  a  vote  that  the  Baptist  Covenant  and 
certificate  be  recorded.     The  covenant  referred  to  is  as  follows: 

"Springfield,  December  20,  1787. 
We,  the  subscribers,  do  by  these  presents,  covenant  and  agree 
to  form  ourselves  into  a  Society,  in  order  to  carry  on  the  public 
worship  of  God,  and  to  support  the  same  among  ourselves,  accord- 
ing to  that  which  we  profess,  as  witness  our  hands. 
William  Lockwood,  Daniel  Avery, 

Abraham  Olney,  Joseph  Covel,  Jr., 

John  Griswold,  Joshua  Lockwood, 

Timothy  Williams,  Jr.,  James  Dumphy, 

Benoni  Lockwood,  William  Olney, 

Henry  Lockwood,  John  Williams, 

Thomas  Cook,  Abraham  Williams, 

Abraham  Lockwood,  Joseph  L.  Taylor, 

Daniel  Field,  Abraham  Lockwood,  2d, 

Nicholas  Williams,  Nicholas  Bragg, 

Joseph  Lockwood,  Darius  Whitman, 

Jacob  Lockwood,  2d,  Eber  Bly, 

Amos  Randal,  Thomas  Corlew, 

Benjamin  Olney. " 


Hon.  Fred  G.  Field,  North  Springfield 
Formerly  Inspector  of  State  Finance 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  249 

Immediately  after  this  is  the  recorded  certificate,  viz., 
"These  may  certify,  to  all  to  whom  these  presents  may  come, 
and  to  the  Selectmen  of  the  town  of  Springfield,  County  of  Wind- 
sor, and  State  of  Vermont  in  particular,  that  William  Lockwood, 
(and  the  twenty-six  others  as  above)  all  inhabitants  of  the  town 
of  Springfield,  are  members  of  the  Baptist  Society  of  Springfield. 
Given  under  my  hand  at  Springfield,  this  twenty-second  day 
of  March,  1788.     Signed  by  order  and  in  behalf  of  the  Society. 

Thomas  Cook, 

Moderator. " 

For  some  time  previous  to  its  separate  existence  the  North 
Spring-field  Baptist  church  had  existed  as  a  branch  of  the  Baptist 
church  in  Chester,  which  was  founded  in  1789.  In  1799,  a  power- 
ful revival  increased  the  membership  of  the  Chester  church,  and  its 
branches,  so  that  a  division  seemed  desirable.  Accordingly,  on 
the  thirty -first  of  August,  1803,  a  council  consisting  of  delegates 
from  the  churches  of  Alstead,  N.  H.,  Jamaica,  Vermont,  and 
Wallingford,  met  in  Chester  and  four  branch  churches  were  recog- 
nized and  fellowshiped  as  independent  churches.  These  were 
Andover,  Cavendish,  Grafton  and  North  Springfield.  Benedict 
in  his  history  says:  "This  was  an  interesting  day  and  the  circum- 
stance is  probably  unparalleled  in  the  history  of  our  churches." 
Fifty-nine  members  constituted  the  church.  The  greater  number 
of  these  were  from  Baltimore  and  Weathersfield,  and  the  church 
was  accordingly  called  the  "Baltimore  and  W^eathersfield  church. " 
The  few  among  the  original  fifty-nine  members,  who  resided  in 
North  Springfield,  were  David  Boynton,  Matthew  Pierce,  Eber 
Bly,  and  James  Miller  of  the  brethren,  and  of  sisters,  Hannah 
Lamson,  Pais  Schofield,  Lucy  Griswold,  Dolly  Bly,  Charlotte 
Cook,  Ruth  Schofield,  Mercy  Streeter  and  Lucy  Miller. 

Beman  Bo;yTiton  was  chosen  moderator  and  Seth  Houghton 
permanent  clerk.  The  church  promptly  joined  the  Woodstock 
Association.  David  Boynton  was  ordained  November  12,  1806. 
He  was  the  first  minister  who  preached  a  sermon  in  the  town  of 
Baltimore.  Silas  Bigelow  was  chosen  deacon  in  1807,  and  held 
oflSce  till  his  death  in  1833.  January  2,  1808,  Deacon  Beman 
Boynton  was  ordained  pastor  of  the  church. 


250  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

A  large  brick  meeting-house  was  erected  about  1815.  Isaac 
Bucklin  succeeded  Elder  Boynton  in  the  pastorate,  May,  1817, 
serving,  however,  only  till  November  of  the  next  year,  and  was  fol- 
lowed by  Reuel  Lathrop,  whose  pastorate  was  also  short.  Richard 
M.  Ely  assumed  the  pastorate  in  1820.  A  revival  occurred  the 
following  spring  and  over  seventy  were  baptized.  Five  of  these 
converts  subsequently  became  ministers.  Louis  Ranstead  was 
licensed  to  preach  in  1827,  and  Charles  E.  Toothaker  in  1829.  Mr. 
Ely  resigned  in  1830,  after  a  pastorate  of  ten  years  in  which  the 
membership  had  increased  from  forty-two  to  one  hundred  and 
forty.  Ezra  Fisher  was  pastor  from  November,  1830,  to  November, 
1832,  a  period  of  remarkable  prosperity,  in  which  seventy  were 
baptized,  and  the  membership  increased  to  two  hundred  and  eight. 
During  this  term  George  C.  Chandler  was  licensed.  Mr.  Fisher 
and  his  wife  were  dismissed  that  they  might  become  missionaries 
in  the  West.  Cyrus  W.  Hodge  became  pastor  in  1833,  and  during 
a  four  years'  term  baptized  eighty -nine,  among  whom  were  Foster 
Henry  and  J.  R.  Graves,  who  afterward  became  well-known  as 
successful  preachers  of  the  Word.     N.  N.  Wood  was  licensed. 

December  30,  1835,  a  new  meeting-house  was  dedicated. 
The  tide  of  prosperity  had  apparently  reached  its  height.  During 
the  next  two  pastorates,  that  of  M.  D.  Miller,  1837-1839,  and  Ben- 
jamin Briarly,  1839-1841,  removals,  deaths  and  a  severe  trial  re- 
versed the  fortunes  of  the  church  and  caused  it  to  lose  somewhat 
its  aggressive  spirit.  Rev.  D.  M.  Crane  came  then  under  dis- 
couraging prospects,  but  a  remarkably  powerful  revival  commenced 
in  1843.  Many  were  brought  into  agony  of  soul  under  conscious- 
ness of  sin  and  condemnation,  out  of  which  they  came  into  cor- 
responding joy.  On  ten  successive  Sabbaths  the  river  was  visited, 
and  eighty -four  were  baptized,  among  whom  were  more  than  thirty 
heads  of  families,  embracing  the  first  citizens  of  the  place  in  charac- 
ter and  influence. 

Mr.  Crane  was  followed  by  Nathaniel  Cudworth,  whose  special 
work  was  that  of  training  the  new  members,  who  had  recently  been 
received  in  such  numbers.  In  September,  1849,  Baxter  Burrows 
was  employed  to  preach  one  year  and  again  a  season  of  refreshing 
was  enjoyed,  and  sixty-one  were  added  to  the  church,  thirty-eight 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  251 

by  baptism.  Mr.  Burrows  afterward  wrote  concerning  this  season : 
"The  converts  were  bom  aUve.  Their  voices  were  heard  in  praise 
and  prayer  and  testimony.  They  went  right  into  the  work  of 
leading  their  associates  to  Jesus.  Two  of  the  converts  entered  the 
ministry. " 

Rev.  J.  W.  Picknell  became  pastor  in  1858,  and  continued  till 
1867  when  his  earthly  ministry  was  completed.  The  year  1863, 
was  one  of  fearful  mortality,  seven  of  the  church  and  fifteen  of  the 
Sunday  school  fell  under  that  dread  disease,  diphtheria.  Pastor 
and  people  suffered  severely.  The  next  year,  however,  was  one  of 
ingathering  in  which  the  strength  of  the  pastor  was  severely  taxed. 
The  State  Convention  was  entertained  by  the  church  in  1867,  but 
the  exercises  were  interrupted  and  suspended  for  the  saddened 
church  to  bury  their  beloved  pastor.  Mr.  Picknell  was  an  emi- 
nently pious,  industrious  and  faithful  pastor.  He  was  born  in 
Fairfax,  Vt.,  1823,  studied  at  New  Hampton  Institution,  was  or- 
dained in  Hinesburgh.  In  1855,  he  removed  to  Windham,  and  in 
1858,  to  North  Springfield,  and  finished  his  course,  September  28, 
1867.  Cyprian  P.  Frenyear  took  up  the  work  in  November  of  the 
same  year,  and  was  followed  a  year  later  by  D.  M.  Crane.  During 
the  five  and  a  half  years  of  this  pastorate  more  than  sixty  persons, 
many  of  them  aged,  were  buried. 

Robert  G.  Johnson,  the  historian  of  the  church,  from  whose 
admirable  account  this  sketch  has  been  culled,  was  settled  in  1875, 
and  continued  pastor  till  1883.  Since  then  the  following  have 
held  the  office,  J.  H.  Robbins,  1884;  W.  W.  Coombs,  1887-1888; 
W.  P.  Bartlett,  1889-1891;  A.  Chipman,  1892-1897;  W.  G.  Corey, 
1899-1901;  S.  H.  Archibald,  1902-1903;  P.  D.  Root,  1904. 

By  an  ingathering  in  1876,  the  membership  which  had  been 
slowly  declining  in  numbers  for  some  years  was  raised  from  one 
hundred  and  twenty-two  to  one  hundred  and  forty-two  and  for 
ten  years  was  maintained  above  one  hundred  and  forty,  when 
again  decline  began,  which  was  checked  by  an  ingathering  under 
Mr.  Chipman,  and  the  numVjer  reached  one  hundred  and  fifty -eight. 
S.  H.  Archibald,  during  his  short  stay,  w^as  permitted  to  welcome 
upward  of  thirty  to  the  church,  but  a  careful  revision  of  the  roll  of 
members  and  the  dropping  of  twenty -four  names  from  it  made  the 


252 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


report  of  members  appear  less.  His  sudden  death  was  a  heavy 
affliction  to  the  church  which  was  heartily  co-operating  with  Mr. 
Archibald  in  upbuilding  the  cause  of  Christ  in  the  place.  The 
ministry  of  P.  D.  Root,  one  of  healthy  development  along  scrip- 
tural lines,  led  naturally  to  the  remarkable  interest  in  1911,  when 
special  meetings  were  held  with  the  aid  of  State  Evangelist  Hafer, 
and  fifty-one  were  received  to  membership,  thirty-nine  of  them 
by  baptism. 

This  church  being  a  purely  rural  one,  has  received  compara- 
tively few  members  by  letter.  Its  losses  by  death  and  removal 
have  been  heavy.  Forty  members  went  out  from  this  church  to 
form  the  church  in  Perkinsville,  and  another  company  to  form  the 
church  in  Felchville,  and  in  addition  to  this  it  should  be  recorded 
that  the  Baptist  church  in  Union,  Wisconsin,  was  founded  mainly 
by  members  of  this  church  who  emigrated  there. 

The  constituent  members  of  the  North  Springfield  church  were, 


Boynton,  Beman, 
Boynton,  David, 
Boynton,  Ephraim, 
Boynton,  John, 
Boynton,  Jewett,  Sr., 
Boynton,  Betsey, 
Boynton,  Betsey, 
Boynton,  Hannah 
Boynton,  Pamelia, 
Boynton,  Phoebe, 
Boynton,  Ruth, 
Boynton,  Sarah, 
Bigelow,  Silas, 
Bly,  Eber, 
Bradish,  Daniel, 
Bigelow,  Elizabeth, 
Bly,  Dolly, 
Bradish,  Phoebe, 
Bryant,  Elizabeth, 
Burnham,  Polly, 


Houghton,  Seth, 
Houghton,  Sally, 
Jones,  Hannah, 
Larabee,  William, 
Larabee,  Lamson, 
Larabee,  Hannah, 
Lawrence,  Hannah, 
Martin,  Ebenezer, 
Miller,  James, 
Martin,  Mary, 
Miller,  Lucy, 
Parker,  Isaac, 
Piper,  Noah, 
Pierce,  Matthew, 
Piper,  Sally, 
Piper,  Sarah, 
Piper,  Lucretia, 
Piper,  Prudence, 
Russell,  Ebenezer, 
Sherman,  David, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  253 

Culver,  Justus,  Schofield,  Pais, 

Cheney,  Priscilla,  Schofield,  Ruth, 

Chandler,  Hannah,  Sears,  Elizabeth, 

Cook,  Charlotte,  Streeter,  Mercy, 

Crane,  Sarah,  Temple,  Frederick, 

Eddy,  Amy,  Upham,  Phoebe, 

Graves,  Hannah,  Whitney,  Ruth, 

Graves,  Betsey,  Young,  Clotilda, 

Grout,  Abigail,  Young,  Lucy, 

Griswold,  Lucy,  Wood,  William. 

Grafton 

The  Grafton  church,  one  of  the  four  set  off  by  the  Chester 
church,  August  31,  1803,  began  its  course  with  thirty-one  members: 
William  McCuller,  Daniel  Baker,  Jonathan  Wooley,  Amos  Denni- 
son,  Joseph  Cumit,  Samuel  Smat,  Enoch  Heald,  Abiel  Wilder, 
Cornelius  Baker,  Joseph  Rhoades,  William  Harris,  Daniel  Wilde, 
Roger  Smith,  Charles  Ripley  and  Abijah  Beald. 

Mrs.  Chloe  McCuller,  Lucinda  Wooley,  Betsey  Baker,  Olive 
Richmond,  Ruth  Harris,  Abigail  Rhoades,  Polly  Dennison,  Martha 
Harris,  Abigail  Bead,  Polly  Gibson,  Polly  Smith,  Lucy  Wetherby, 
Abigail  Heald,  Saran  Dennison. 

Almost  immediately  after  its  organization  the  church  had  its 
trials  which  continued  at  intervals  for  some  twenty-five  years.  It 
had  to  encounter  the  errors  of  some  of  its  wealthiest  and  most  in- 
fluential members.  Disciplinary  action  was  sanctified  to  the  good 
of  some  of  the  members  who  were  subjected  to  it,  who  repented 
and  were  restored,  and  ever  after  became  loyal  and  devoted  mem- 
bers, honored  with  official  position.  The  first  meeting-house  was 
erected  in  1812,  though  not  completed  for  severa]  years.  Rough 
boards  answered  for  seats  till  1818,  when  pews  were  put  in.  In 
1832,  the  house  was  turned  half  round,  a  cupola  put  on,  the  square 
pews  taken  out  and  the  interior  otherwise  modernized.  A  new 
meeting-house  was  built  and  dedicated  December  20,  1859. 

A  parsonage  was  obtained  in  1838,  which  was  exchanged  for 
another  in  1844.     A  Saturday  evening  prayer  meeting  was  estab- 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

lished  in  1830,  which  continued  till  1851.  These  were  years  of 
almost  continuous  revival  and  more  than  seventy  were  received  by 
baptism.     Mr.  McCuller,  a  hcentiate,  supphed  for  a  time. 

Elijah  Shumway  was  ordained  first  pastor,  February  3,  1810. 

Pastors:  John  Spaulding,  1811-1814;  Joseph  Elliot,  1816-1817, 
iind  Mr.  Lathrop  supphed;  John  R.  Dodge  ordained  pastor,  June 
27,  1821-1823;  John  Sanders,  1823-1825;  David  Sweet,  1825- 
1831 ;  Edward  Mitchell  and  S.  A.  Estee  supplied,  1831-1833;  Eras- 
tus  Willard,  ordained  October  30,  1833;  dismissed  to  become 
missionary  to  France.  Samuel  Eastman,  1835-1837;  D.  M. 
Crane,  1838-1842;  Myron  Merriam  ordained  1842,  July  1846; 
J.  M.  Wilmarth,  September  1846-October,  1848;  Baxter  Bur- 
rows, 1849;  J.  W.  Driver,  1850-1853;  C.  B.  Smith,  Principal  of 
Leland  &  Gray,  supply;  Russeh  Wheeler,  1854-1858;  Mr.  Farrar 
and  Baxter  Burrows,  supplies;  J.  Peacock,  evangelist,  two 
months,  special  meetings,  twenty  converted  and  baptized;  S. 
Adams,  January  1859-February  1,  1863;  Horace  Burchard, 
Principal  of  Leland  &  Gray,  March  1 -August  1,  1863.  A.  M. 
Swaim,  October,  1863-February  29,  1868;  L.  B.  Hibbard,  1868- 
1871;  L.  Hayden,  September,  1872-1876;  Juhus  Leavitt,  ordained 
June  27,  1876-1877.  A.  N.  Woodruff,  1877-1880;  George  Ober, 
1884-1887;  B.  S.  Morse  and  D.  C.  To\\-nshend,  August  14,  1887- 
June,  1889;  C.  V.  French,  October  22,  1893,  ordamed  December 
20-December  20, 1895;  J.  R.  Haskins,  May  17,  1896-1899;  D.  M. 
Jones,  1901;  J.  A.  Swart,  1901-1904;  C.  R.  Upton,  1905-1906;  C. 
W.  Dealtry,  1908;  A.  D.  Graffam,  1909-1910;  J.  M.  Compton, 
1911. 

The  results  of  the  evangelistic  efforts  of  the  church  may  be 
indicated  by  the  following  tables  of  statistics,  classed  by  decades: 


Bap. 

Let. 

Dis. 

Exc. 

1803—1813 

27 

1 

3 

3 

1813—1823 

34 

4 

11 

5 

1823—1833 

125 

22 

35 

6 

1833—1843 

146 

50 

60 

26 

1843—1853 

27 

27 

46 

18 

1853—1863 

173 

44 

83 

26 

HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  255 


1863—1873 

45 

46 

64 

10 

1873—1883 

20 

26 

31 

14 

1883—1893 

26 

18 

11 

1893—1903 

18 

18 

9 

1903—1911 

40 

43 

51 

20 

The  total  number  of  baptisms,  680;  accessions  by  letter,  281; 
total  by  both  baptism  and  letter,  962;  dismissions,  404;  exclusions, 
128;  total  losses  by  dismissions  and  exclusions,  532.  The  revival 
periods  have  been  the  decades,  1832-1833;  1833-1843;  1853-1863. 
In  the  year,  1854,  there  were  indications  of  special  interest,  and 
Elder  E.  Andrews  was  called  to  assist.  A  series  of  meetings  began 
about  the  twentieth  of  November  and  continued  until  about  the 
first  of  February,  and  forty  were  baptized,  six  received  by  letter, 
and  five  by  restoration,  fifteen  were  dismissed  and  the  membership 
reached  its  highest  mark,  two  hundred  and  seventy-five.  The  total 
membership  in  1911,  seventy-eight. 

In  1843,  several  members  became  affected  by  the  Millerite 
principles,  some  of  w^hom  after  exclusion  went  to  Houghtonville 
and  there  organized  a  church  of  that  sect  which  had  short  life. 

This  church  has  sent  out  from  its  ranks  some  notable  workers : 
Erastus  Willard,  ordained  October  30,  1833,  later  missionary  to 
France;  J.  A.  Leavitt  ordained  here  and  later  President  of  Ewing 
College,  111.  Martin  Rugg,  converted  and  baptized  into  the  fel- 
lowship of  this  church,  October  4,  1873,  and  later  pastor  of  one  of 
the  largest  churches  in  the  state  of  Illinois,  in  Urbana;  honored  with 
degree  of  D.  D.  by  Ewing  College;  Elbridge  W.  White  baptized 
and  licensed  at  the  same  time  with  Mr.  Rugg,  Chaplain  during 
the  War  of  the  Rebellion  and  since  then  an  evangelist,  who  has  led 
thousands  to  Christ,  honored  like  his  comrade  with  D.  D.  Arthur 
White,  baptized  here  and  later  a  successful  pastor  in  Michigan; 
David  Palmer,  licensed  and  ordained  here,  pastor  of  several 
churches  in  this  State.  Clara  A.  Converse,  who  in  her  childhood 
attended  the  town  schools  and  this  Sunday  school,  converted  and 
baptized  and  finally  devoted  her  life  to  the  foreign  mission  work 
in  Yokohama,  Japan,  and  Miss  Nellie  Streeter,  who  went  from 
this  church  and  has  given  her  life  to  the  home  mission  work  among 
the  colored  people  of  Chattanooga. 


256  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Andover 

The  Andover  church,  which  had  for  some  time  been  a  branch 
of  the  Chester  church,  began  its  independent  hfe  August  31,  1803. 
At  the  next  session  of  the  Woodstock  Association  it  reported  a 
membership  of  twenty -five.  Joel  Manning  was  its  first  pastor, 
continuing  in  that  relation  about  thirty  years.  The  church  main- 
tained under  his  ministry  a  membership  of  between  fifty  and  sixty, 
without  any  season  of  general  revival.  The  most  publicly  notable 
incident  in  Mr.  Manning's  ministry  appears  to  have  been  the  at- 
tention given  by  the  Woodstock  Association  to  his  theological 
views,  concerning  the  relation  between  Christ  and  the  Father. 
In  1812,  a  committee  consisting  of  Aaron  Leland,  Ariel  Kendrick 
and  Jonathan  Going  was  appointed  to  inquire  if  any  of  the  brethren 
had  become  heterodox  in  their  sentiments,  and  the  following  year 
they  reported  that  they  had  attended  to  their  duty,  and  presented 
a  statement  from  Elder  Jeremiah  Higbee  and  Elder  Joel  Manning. 
The  statement  signed  by  both  elders  is  as  follows : 

"our    belief    concerning   the    SON    OF   GOD 

"1.  We  believe  that  the  Son  of  God  did  from  the  beginning 
possess  a  personal  existence,  in  distinction  from  God,  which  exist- 
ence he  derived  from  God,  as  that  of  a  son  from  his  father. 

"2.  We  believe  that,  that  intimate  and  mysterious  relation 
does  exist,  between  God  and  Father  and  His  Son,  which  rendered 
it  proper  for  the  Son  to  say,  'I  am  in  the  Father  and  the  Father  in 
Me, '  or  T  and  the  Father  are  one, '  distinct  personality,  but  united 
in  essence. 

"3.  We  believe  that  the  Son  of  God  became  so  united  to 
that  human  body  which  God  prepared  for  Him  as  to  become  the 
soul  of  the  same ;  or  so  as  to  constitute  one  complete  agent,  or  con- 
scious being  possessing  divine  and  human  natures  in  personal 
union. 

"4.  That  the  Son  of  God  as  a  divine  human  being  was  made 
under  the  law  for  us,  died  for  our  sins,  rose  for  our  justification,  is 
seated  at  his  Father's  right  hand,  has  received  of  the  Father  all 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  '257 

power  in  heaven  and  on  earth,  is  worshipped  as  the  Son  of  God  by 
angels  and  saints  in  heaven,  and  by  His  people  on  earth;  that  He 
will  reign  until  His  enemies  are  all  subdued;  then  the  Son  will  re- 
sign up  the  kingdom  to  His  Father  and  will  be  subject  to  Him  who 
put  all  things  under  Him,  and  God  will  be  all  in  all.  The  fore- 
going articles  we  believe  because  we  find  them  clearly  and  abun- 
dantly confirmed  by  the  inspired  writings  of  the  holy  scriptures, 
which  are  the  only  rule  by  which  we  can  judge  of  what  is  truth  in 
that  case. " 

The  Association  voted,  "That  we  do  disapprove  of  their 
sentiments.  Although  we  cannot  fellowship  the  above  sentiments 
of  our  brethren;  yet  in  view  of  our  agreeable  connections  with  them 
heretofore  and  in  hope  of  their  return  to  soundness  in  the  faith, 
resolve  to  postpone  the  matter  until  our  next  association. " 

The  next  year  Elder  Higbee  made  the  following  retraction: 
"I  have  reviewed  of  late,  with  great  seriousness,  the  ideas  which 
I  have  exhibited  concerning  the  Son  of  God,  and  I  now  feel  it  my 
duty  and  privilege  to  state  that,  so  far  as  my  communications 
have  implied  or  seemed  to  imply  that  the  Son  of  God  is  inferior  to 
His  Father  in  His  divine  nature,  I  feel  to  disapprove  of  and  re- 
tract the  same  as  erroneous  and  not  to  be  justified.  I  beg  leave 
also  to  state,  that  I  view  the  doctrine  of  God  manifest  in  the  flesh 
as  a  great  mystery;  and  to  be  a  matter  of  faith,  and  not  of  specula- 
tion. And  I  shall  endeavor  in  future  to  regulate  my  conduct  ac- 
cordingly." This  retraction  was  signed  only  by  Elder  Higbee. 
A  committee  was  appointed  to  visit  the  Andover  church  and  in- 
quire of  them  whether  they  believe  the  sentiments  exhibited  by 
their  pastor,  Elder  Manning,  respecting  the  Son  of  God.  This 
committee  was  continued  a  second  year  and  finally,  in  1817,  Mr. 
Manning  sent  the  following:  "Upon  a  review  of  the  sentiments 
that  I  have  advanced  on  the  sonship  of  Christ,  with  my  Bible  in  my 
hand,  I  feel  it  a  duty  and  a  privilege  to  say,  that  the  sonship  of 
Christ  as  a  derived  being  is  incorrect;  and  my  present  sentiment  is 
that  He  is  God  and  a  created  being  in  union. " 

This  incident  is  illustrative  not  only  of  the  keen  theological 
discussions  of  that  day,  but  also  of  the  watchcare  of  the  Associa- 
tion over  its  constituent  churches  and  ministers. 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  close  of  Mr.  Manning's  pastorate  was  a  year  of  blessing, 
when  twenty-seven  were  welcomed  to  the  church.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  E.  Hurlbut,  1833-1837,  during  whose  administration 
sixty-two  were  added  to  the  church  and  the  membership  passed  by 
the  one  hundred  mark.  R.  Meyers  followed  with  a  two  years '  term, 
when  the  membership  reached  its  highest  numerical  mark,  one 
hundred  and  four.  J.  Pierce,  a  licentiate,  supplied  in  1841;  H. 
Crowley  was  pastor,  1843-1845;  A.  A.  Constantine,  1845-1847, 
receivijig  eighteen  to  membership;  E.  H.  Small,  1848-1849, 
twenty-seven  additions;  A.  A.  Constantine,  a  second  pastorate, 
1850-1855;  N.  Cudworth,  1856;  G.  C.  Fisher,  1858-1859;  L. 
Culver,  1860-186!2;  B.  Burrows,  1863;  J.  Freeman,  1865;  A.  J. 
Walker,  1867-1873;  C.  S.  Sherman,  1874-1879;  T.  B.  Eastman, 
1880-1885;  L.  Kinney,  1887-1889;  H.  C.  Searles,  1891;  G.  E. 
Boynton,  1893-1896;  J.  R.  Conrad,  1898-1901;  H.  C.  Searles, 
1901-1902;  C.  W.  SaflFord,  1904;  J.  A.  Thorns,  1906;  W.  J.  Vile, 
1907-1908;  W.  H.  Bishop,  1909-1910;  E.  B.  Russell,  1911. 

During  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Walker,  a  new  parsonage  was 
purchased,  and  a  new  church  erected^  1868,  in  Peaseville,  which 
had  become  the  new  center  of  the  towni. 

For  many  years  this  church  has  been  in  close  relation  with  the 
church  in  Weston  and  the  same  pastor  has  served  both  churches, 
driving  across  the  mountain  and  back,  living  sometimes  in  Andover 
parsonage,  and  sometimes  in  Weston.  Great  changes  have  taken 
place  in  this  territory'.  A  colony  of  Finns  now  occupies  a  large 
section  of  the  to%\Ti  once  occupied  by  families  who  supported  the 
Baptist  church.  The  membership  has  been  reduced  to  a  total  of 
twenty -two,  eleven  resident. 

OLD   TIME  MEETINGS   AND    SUNDAY   SCHOOL   IN   ANDOVER 
Narrated  hy  the  Mother  of  Rev.  J.  Mervin  Hull,  D.  D. 

There  were  two  "  meetin-housen "  in  the  town  where  I  was 
born  and  brought  up.     One  was  proper  large  and  had  galleries. 

Note — Dorcas  Manning  Pettingill,  my  mother,  was  bom  in  Andover,  Vt.,  in 
1816.  Most  of  this  account  I  have  in  her  owti  handwriting,  but  some  points  are 
added  from  notes  that  I  took,  and  from  memory,  as  in  my  boyhood  I  liked  noth- 
ing better  than  to  hear  my  mother  tell  of  her  girlhood  days  in  Andover .^ — J.  M.  Hull. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  259 

That  was  up  to  " Middle-TowTi, "  three  miles  off  from  my  father's. 
The  other  was  a  Httle  small  one,  situated  on  East  Hill,  and  was 
only  one-half  mile  from  my  home.  It  was  wooden,  with  a  huge 
stone  at  each  outside  door,  to  aid  in  getting  into  the  porch.  We 
always  called  them  "the  door  rocks."  The  church  was  painted 
yellow  wdth  white  trimmings.  Inside  there  was  no  paint  except 
on  the  entry  doors  and  the  pulpit,  which  was  elevated  far  above 
the  level  of  the  main  floor,  and  was  only  large  enough  for  one  to  be 
in  it  at  a  time.  The  minister  had  a  box  which  he  knelt  upon 
when  he  offered  prayer,  and  the  toes  of  his  boots  lay  on  the  win- 
dow-sill, the  pulpit  was  so  narrow. 

The  pews  extended  from  the  door  to  the  pulpit  on  each  side 
of  the  house,  and  they,  too,  were  raised  about  six  inches  above  the 
"level  of  the  sea."  Each  had  a  seat  on  three  sides  and  the  door 
that  shut  us  in  on  the  fourth  side,  so  we  were  boxed  up  for  two  long 
hours,  unless  we  chose  to  run  out  a  while,  which  was  a  common 
practice.  During  the  long  sermon  some  of  the  men  used  to  stand 
up  and  lean  on  the  pew  door  to  rest.  One  day  when  old  Uncle  Pete 
Adams  was  doing  this,  he  fell  asleep,  and  leaned  so  heavily  that 
the  pew  door  became  unlatched,  and  Uncle  Pete  fell  clattering  to 
the  floor,  to  the  astonishment  of  the  congregation  and  to  the 
great  delight  of  us  young  folks.* 

Six  could  be  accommodated  in  a  pew  and  there  were  accom- 
modations for  hanging  up  bonnets,  which  the  older  women  did; 
also  the  men  folks  hung  their  hats  on  the  same  po.st,  which  post 
accommodated  two  pews  at  the  same  time,  as  it  extended  straight 
up  to  the  top  of  the  house,  so  Uncle  John  and  Aunt  Johii,  Uncle 
Ben  and  Aunt  Ben  hung  their  hats  and  bonnets  together. 

The  singers'  seat  was  in  the  middle  of  the  house,  with  a  bench 
running  through  the  center  of  that  for  the  hymn  books.  The  bass 
sat  with  their  backs  to  the  minister,  and  the  treble  faced  him. 
Uncle  Moses  Dodge  took  the  lead  of  the  singing.  When  the  hymn 
was  given  out,  he  took  his  pitch-pipe,  a  sort  of  wooden  whistle 
which  could  be  extended  to  sound  different  notes,  and  sounded  out 
the  note,  and  the  different  parts  took  their  notes  from  that.  Uncle 
Moses  beat  the  time  with  his  right  hand,  the  fingers  all  spread  out. 

*Mrs.  Alice  Morse  Earle  has  this  story  in  one  of  her  books,  but  my  mother 
told  it  to  me  long  before  it  was  printed. — J.  M.  H. 


260  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

It  was  a  freezing  operation  to  walk  half  a  mile  in  winter  and 
then  sit  in  a  house  with  not  the  smell  of  fire  in  it,  except  what  the 
ladies  had  in  their  foot-stoves.  Some  had  hot  bricks,  but  neither 
would  keep  warm  till  the  first  prayer  was  over.  The  men  would 
rap  their  feet  together  to  start  circulation  in  their  nearly  frozen 
toes;  but  the  benediction  did  come  at  last  with  its  welcome  ap- 
pearance, and  then  the  minister  would  say,  "Intermission  one 
hour, "  and  take  his  big  Bible  under  his  arm  and  "  stiver"  for  home. 
The  minute  he  was  gone  there  was  a  stampede  for  Capt.  Adams' 
warm  kitchen,  where  we  ate  our  doughnuts  and  cheese,  and  the 
old  men  had  their  cider. 

The  minister  through  all  my  girlhood  was  Elder  Joel  Man- 
ning. He  was  a  comely  man — good  looking  I  mean — w4th  brown 
hair,  cut  "punkin  shell"  fashion,  and  blue  eyes.  In  one  sense  he 
was  like  Zaccheus,  small  of  stature,  but  he  wouldn't  climb  as  high 
as  a  gooseberry  bush  to  see  the  Lord  Jesus  if  he  knew  He  was  pass- 
ing by,  lest  he  should  be  doing  something  towards  his  o"v\ti  salva- 
tion, which  was  contrary  to  his  preaching.  His  constant  theme 
was,  "Saved  by  grace  and  not  by  works,  lest  any  man  should 
boast,"  and  from  his  interpretation  of  this  text  he  was  opposed  to 
Sunday  schools.  In  the  pulpit  he  read  a  great  deal  from  the  Bible, 
which  had  as  many  as  fifty  threads  hanging  out  as  book-marks,  and 
I  always  wondered  how  he  knew  which  thread  to  pull  for  his  refer- 
ence. When  he  talked  he  stood  with  the  fore-finger  of  each  hand 
in  one  of  his  jacket  pockets,  and  his  glasses  top  of  his  brow.  When 
he  got  through  he  left  the  house  without  speaking  to  any  one.  He 
was  a  good  man  and  greatly  respected.  He  had  three  professions — 
a  minister,  a  farmer,  and  a  cooper.  He  made  our  tubs  and  buckets 
and  hooped  the  parish  cider  barrels,  which  were  neither  few  nor  far 
between  in  his  ovm  cellar,  as  well  as  in  all  the  neighborhood.  But 
when  the  temperance  reform  started,  and  he  became  enlightened 
on  that  point,  he  was  active  in  organizing  the  first  temperance  so- 
ciety in  Andover. 

The  first  Sunday  scliool  in  Andover.  Elder  Manning,  from 
his  strong  views  of  free  grace  as  opposed  to  "works, "  was  opposed 
to  the  idea  of  Sunday  schools  when  it  was  first  mentioned  in 
Andover.     Moreover  he  seldom  spoke  to  a  child.     Yet  he  loved 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  261 

children,  and  it  \\'as  at  his  request  that  I  was  named  "Dorcas 
Manning,"  after  a  daughter  of  his  that  died.  My  first  Sunday 
school  was  on  this  wise.  There  was  a  maiden  lady  whose  name 
was  Sally  Gibson,  who  taught  school  on  East  Hill  in  a  little  school- 
house  not  far  from  the  church.  She  secretly  invited  all  the  girls 
in  the  school  that  were  about  my  age,  nine  years  old,  to  learn 
verses  of  Scripture  during  the  week,  and  she  would  meet  us  Sab- 
bath noon  and  hear  us  recite,  and  so  we  did.  She  was  terribly 
afraid  the  minister  would  find  it  out;  so  when  meeting  was  out  we 
fled  to  the  schoolhouse.  We  ran,  as  I  plainly  remember,  and  I 
can  think  just  how  Sally  Gibson's  shawl  fluttered  in  the  wind  as 
we  hurried  on  and  on  till  we  were  in  the  schoolhouse  and  the  door 
shut. 

I  learned  a  good  lot  of  verses,  when  some  w^ay,  I  never  knew 
how,  the  minister  heard  of  it,  and  sent  for  me  to  come  to  his  house. 
I  trembling  obeyed.  He  said  to  me,  "Darkis" — everybody  pro- 
nounced my  name  that  way — "Darkis,  tell  me  truthfully  what 
you  do  in  the  schoolhouse  on  Sabbath  noons. "  "Sir, "  I  said,  "we 
repeat  verses  from  the  Bible  that  we  have  learned  during  the 
week. "  "  Can  you  repeat  any  of  them  now?  "  Then  I  began  and 
repeated  the  verses  that  I  had  learned,  and  he  looked  at  me  kindly, 
and  said  he  was  glad  to  hear  me,  and  gave  me  a  f ourpence-ha '- 
penny,  which  was  worth  six  and  a  quarter  cents,  and  after  that 
there  was  no  further  opposition  to  our  little  Sunday  school. 

Cavendish 

Some  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  this  town  were  Baptists.  In 
1769,  eight  years  after  the  date  of  the  town  charter,  John  Coffin 
became  the  first  resident.  In  1771,  Noadiah  Russell  and  Thomas 
Gilbert  joined  the  settlement.  One  of  these,  Mr.  Russell,  was  a 
Baptist.  At  the  council,  which  met  in  1789,  to  recognize  the  church 
in  Chester,  Salmon  Dutton,  of  Cavendish,  is  reported  as  a  member. 
The  records  of  Chester  church  also  contains  the  following: 

May  31,  1794. 
"Voted  to  receive  Samuel  White,  Jesse  Spaulding,  Asaph 
Fletcher  and  John  Spaulding,  of  Cavendish,  members  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Chelmsford,  Mass.,  as  members  of  this  church." 


262  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

It  was  also  voted  to  regard  them  as  a  branch  of  the  church, 
with  the  privilege  of  being  formed  into  a  separate  church,  when 
their  numbers  were  increased  to  twelve,  provided  they  desired  it. 

Although  no  conclusive  evidence  can  be  found  that  a  tax  was 
collected  by  the  town  for  the  support  of  religious  worship,  yet  a 
tax  on  several  occasions  was  voted,  and  on  one  occasion  a  Mr. 
Woods  and  a  Mr.  Pierce,  the  one  a  Congregationalist  and  the 
other  a  Baptist,  were  employed  by  vote  of  the  people.  On  August 
17,  1785,  the  town  voted  to  appoint  a  committee  "to  invite  or 
agree  with  a  Gospel  minister. "  The  names  of  other  members  of 
the  Cavendish  church  appear  in  the  following  certificate:  "To 
all  people  to  whom  these  presents  may  come :  Know  ye  that  I, 
Aaron  Leland,  minister  of  the  sect  or  denomination  of  christians 
known  and  designated  by  the  name  or  appellation  of  Baptist,  do 
hereby  certify  that  Jesse  Spaulding,  Asaph  Fletcher,  Robert  Davis 
Gamaliel  Gerold,  Obadiah  White,  Samuel  White,  Noadiah  Russell, 
Benjamin  Lynd,  John  Russell,  Eliphalet  Chapman,  Stephen 
Roberts,  Frazier  Eaton,  Levi  Manning,  John  Peck,  Reuben  Chap- 
man, Perly  Fasset,  Joseph  Wilkins,  Joseph  Spaulding,  and  John 
Spaulding,  all  of  Cavendish,  are  of  the  same  sect  or  denomination 
as  the  subscriber,  and  that  I,  the  said  Aaron  Leland,  am  minister 
of  the  said  sect  or  denomination  in  the  to^ai  of  Chester,  in  the 
county  of  Windsor,  and  State  of  Vermont,  and  that  the  above 
mentioned  persons,  except  three  or  four  belong  to  the  church  under 
the  pastoral  care  of  the  subscriber.  Cavendish,  December  ^O, 
1799,  Attest,  Aaron  Leland,  Minister." 

Rev.  John  Peck,  in  his  memoirs,  speaking  of  this  early  religious 
condition  of  society  says:  "An  attemjrt  was  made  about  this  time 
to  obtain  a  law  of  the  State,  for  a  general  assessment  for  the  sup- 
port of  preachers,  similar  to  what  had  been  attempted  in  the 
state  of  Virginia,  which  was  boldly  advocated  in  a  large  number  of 
publications  in  the  newspapers,  by  a  re\-erend  dergj'man.  But 
these  pieces  were  answered  in  a  very  able,  candid  and  forcible 
manner  by  a  reputable  Baptist,  Dr.  Fletcher,  of  Cavendish.  His 
powerful  appeals  to  the  jniblic  in  defense  of  religious  liberty  put 
to  silence  the  clergj'man;  and  the  object  of  a  general  assessment, 
for  the  present  was  given  up." 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  263 

By  advice  of  an  ecclesiastical  council  convened  August  31, 
1803,  by  invitation  of  the  church  in  Chester,  those  members  who 
could  best  be  accommodated  in  Cavendish  were  dismissed  from 
the  mother  church.  Forty-six  was  the  number  reported  to  the 
Association,  although  a  smaller  number  was  dismissed  from  the 
Chester  church. 

The  following  July,  one  Brooks  was  invited  to  improve  his 
gifts  among  them.  Elder  Gershom  Lane  and  Brother  John  Rus- 
sell were  requested  to  supply  the  church  with  preaching,  each  one- 
half  of  the  time.  These  brethren  both  resided  in  town  and  had 
some  gifts  at  exhortation.  For  about  eight  years  there  was  no 
settled  pastor.  In  1811,  Jonathan  Going,  a  licentiate,  from  the 
first  church.  Providence,  R.  I.,  visited  them,  and  afterward  became 
pastor.  He  held  meetings  far  and  near  in  houses,  schoolhouses 
and  barns,  and  wherever  peoj)le  could  be  gathered.  At  a  point 
where  the  townis  of  Andover,  Cavendish,  Chester,  and  Ludlow 
corner  stood  a  barn  which  for  those  days  was  spacious  and  very 
convenient  for  meetings.  Here  gatherings  often  occurred  and 
the  Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit.  It  is  said  that  when  young  con- 
verts related  their  experience  with  a  view  of  being  baptized,  in- 
stead of  waiting  for  a  motion  and  putting  the  question  to  vote, 
the  Elder  would  send  someone  to  each  member  of  the  church  to 
inquire  if  he  or  she  was  satisfied  with  the  candidate's  relation  of 
christian  experience.  Eighty-three  were  received  to  the  church 
during  the  five  years  of  this  pastorate.  Mr.  Going  was  succeeded 
by  Elisha  Starkweather,  Ruel  Lathrop,  and  Ariel  Kendrick. 
L^p  to  1825,  the  church  had  been  known  as  the  Baptist  church 
of  Cavendish  and  Ludlow.  On  the  28th  of  January,  1825, 
forty-six  members,  resident  in  Ludlow,  were  set  off  as  a  distinct 
church.  January  26,  1826,  Joseph  Freeman  became  pastor, 
continuing  to  serve  the  church  for  ten  years,  deducting  one  year 
spent  at  Newton  Theological  Institution,  and  one  year  at  Con- 
cord, N.  H.  He  was  also  pastor  in  1842,  and  again  in  1850-1851. 
In  1834,  the  church  edifice  was  built.  During  these  periods  of 
service,  one  hundred  and  fifty-four  were  added  to  the  church.  In 
the  period  from  1837 to  1864,  the  pastors  were  E.  T.  Winter,  Moses 
Field,  W.  Sperry,  D.  Richardson,  A.  Angier,  R.  M.  Ely,  S.  W. 


264  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Miles,  Mylon  Merriam  and  Sem.  Pierce.  During  these  pastorates 
one  hundred  and  seven  were  received  to  membership.  In  1864, 
S.  F.  Brown  began  a  pastorate  which  continued  till  November, 
1875,  during  which  time  seventy-two  were  added  to  the  church. 
In  1870,  by  the  will  of  the  late  Hon.  Richard  Fletcher,  of  Boston, 
the  church  came  into  possession  of  a  valuable  parsonage,  a  pastor's 
library  of  two  hundred  volumes,  and  a  fund  of  $4,000,  the  income 
of  $1,000  to  be  annually  expended  in  the  increase  of  the  library 
and  the  income  of  $3,000  to  be  annually  expended  in  repairs  on 
the  parsonage  or  for  the  support  of  the  pastor. 

The  following  persons  have  been  licensed  to  preach:  Elisha 
Andrews,  Addison  Parker,  Joseph  Parker,  Benjamin  Pierce,  Arte- 
mas  Arnold,  Stephen  Pierce,  Horace  Fletcher,  Hervey  Parker, 
Lucius  Baker  and  J.  C.  Allen. 

Since  1875  there  have  been  eight  pastorates:  L.  B.  Hibbard, 
1877-1879;  Foster  Henry,  1880-1884;  George  B.  Wheeler,  1887- 
1892;  A.  H.  Murray,  1894-1896;  D.  W.  Lyman,  1897-1900;  F.  L, 
Foster,  1901-1902;  George  Pomfrey,  1904-1907;  W.  E.  Baker, 
1908-1912. 

Membership  in  1911,  seventy -eight. 

Mount    Holly 

The  nucleus  of  the  Mount  Holly  church  consisted  of  twenty- 
three  members  of  the  church  in  Wallingford,  who  were  set  off  as 
a  distinct  church,  September  6,  1804.  Six  other  persons,  who 
had  been  recently  baptized  at  Mount  Holly,  immediately  joined 
these  as  constituent  members  of  the  new  church.  For  about 
eight  years  the  church  had  no  settled  pastor.  It  held  its  monthly 
meetings  with  regularity  and  spent  considerable  labor  upon  delin- 
quent members.  Edmund  Bryant  was  deacon,  and  Lyman  Dick- 
erson  and  Goodyear  Clark  were  a  sort  of  advisory  committee, 
appointed  "to  advise  with  the  deacons  respecting  any  matter  to 
be  attended  to."  An  addition  was  built  upon  Brother  Jacob 
White's  house  by  the  church  for  the  accommodation  of  its  meet- 
ings. A  new  era  began  when  Daniel  Packer  came  to  work  with 
this  church.     He  was  first  appointed  moderator,    May  11,  1811, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  265 

and  was  not  ordained  till  something  more  than  a  year  later,  but 
meanwhile,  under  his  evangelistic  ministry,  upward  of  fifty  per- 
sons were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism  and  others  by  letter. 
He  was  ordained  June  6,  1812.  From  that  time  for  many  years  a 
success  almost  unparalleled  attended  his  ministry,  few  monthly 
meetings  passing  without  the  accession  of  some  new  members. 
The  church  increased,  till  from  the  original  number  of  thirty  it 
became  one  of  the  largest  if  not  the  largest  church  of  any  denomina- 
tion in  the  State.  In  1842,  it  reported  four  hundred  and  sixty -six 
members,  and  this,  too,  after  forty-two  members  had  been  dis- 
missed to  form  the  church  in  East  Wallingford,  in  1830,  and  about 
an  equal  number  to  form  churches  in  Plymouth  and  Shrewsbury 
in  1833. 

Elder  Packard  was  succeeded  by  Joshua  Clement,  1846-1848; 
R.  M.  Ely,  1848-1852;  S.  Gustin,  1853-1855.  This  was  a  period 
of  great  trial  to  the  church,  disciplinarj'^  action  being  almost  inces- 
sant, and  accessions  being  few. 

The  tide  turned  with  the  beginning  of  the  pastorate  of  Charles 
Coon,  November,  1855.  Within  three  years  thirty -eight  were 
baptized  and  several  received  by  letter.  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald 
followed  with  a  pastorate  of  seven  years  of  instructive  and  edifying 
service.  S.  Pillsbury  served  from  March,  1866,  till  August  7, 
1869;  Silas  Dean,  1870-1872.  In  January,  1873,  Joshua  Clement 
commenced  a  second  season  of  labor,  continuing  eighteen  months. 
He  was  assisted  in  a  three  days'  meeting  by  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  and 
their  combined  efforts  resulted  in  the  accession  of  twenty-one 
members  by  baptism. 

The  Ust  of  later  pastors  is  as  follows:  S.  S.  White,  1875;  W.  H. 
Lawi:on,  1876-1878;  O.  J.  Taylor,  1878-1880;  L.  W.  King,  1883- 
1888;  Benjamin  Harris,  1890-1892;  G.  W.  Clough,  1893-1898; 
F.  J.  Franklyn,  1899-1901;  C.  D.  Hazelton,  1902-1903;  Thomas 
Davison,  1905-1906;  H.  S.  McHale,  1907-1908;  F.  C.  Twiss,  1911. 

In  1884,  the  church  erected  a  meeting-house  at  Mechanics ville, 
which  was  dedicated  the  next  year,  costing  about  $6,000.  Since 
that  the  church  has  maintained  Sunday  school  and  preaching 
services  in  both  places,  the  pastor  preaching  in  one  meeting-house 
in  the  forenoon  and  driving  to  the  other  for  the  afternoon  ser- 


266  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

vice.  The  congregation  is  thus  divided,  but  better  accommo- 
dated than  before  the  second  edifice  was  built.  The  field  occupies 
a  farming  district  of  wide  area.     Membership,   one  hundred. 

Saxtons    River 

The  first  record  we  have  of  any  eftort  to  estabhsh  reHgious 
worship  in  Saxtons  River  bears  date  of  November  26,  1807. 
At  that  time  a  number  of  citizens  met  by  verbal  request  at  Isaac 
Willard's  tavern  to  consider  the  subject  of  building  a  meeting- 
house. Soon  after  this  the  meeting-house  was  built  on  the  ground 
offered  by  Mr.  Simeon  Aldrich,  twenty-seven  persons  having 
agreed  to  buy  pews.  The  house  was  dedicated  on  the  23rd  of 
August,  1810,  Aaron  Leland,  of  Chester,  preaching  the  sermon. 
Captain  Jonathan  Barron  was  marshal  of  the  day.  On  the 
eighteenth  of  June,  1812,  a  church  was  organized,  consisting  of 
sixteen  members,  ten  men  and  six  women,  and  to  the  church  was 
given  the  name  of  "The  Baptist  Church  of  Christ  in  Westminster 
and  Rockingham. "  The  church  lived  the  first  thirty -two  years 
of  its  life  under  a  name  that  did  not  give  any  indication  that  it  was 
in  the  village  of  Saxtons  River,  namely,  "The  Baptist  Church  of 
Christ  in  Westminster  and  Rockingham, "  Rockingham  being  the 
name  of  the  town  of  which  Saxtons  River  is  a  \illage.  And  further, 
the  council  to  form  the  church  did  not  meet  at  Saxtons  River,  but 
in  another  village  in  another  town,  the  town  of  Westminster.  The 
moderator  was  Rev.  Aaron  Leland,  of  Chester,  and  the  clerk. 
Rev.  Joseph  Elliott,  then  of  Chesterfield  and  Hinsdale. 

Eight  of  the  original  members  were  received  by  letter  from 
the  church  in  Westminster,  two  from  Chester,  and  six  by  experience. 
The  records  of  the  Council  that  recognized  the  Baptist  church  in 
Westminster  and  Rockingham,  makes  it  certain  that  there  was  once 
a  Baptist  church  in  Westminster.  The  first  deacons  were  Ben- 
jamin Smith,  Samuel  Mason  and  Daniel  Mason,  all  men  of  God, 
held  in  good  repute.  First  clerk,  John  Tuthill.  Seventeen  mem- 
bers were  received  into  the  church  before  it  had  a  pastor.  On  the 
nineteenth  of  January,  1814,  Rev.  Joseph  Elliott  was  installed 
pastor  of  the  church  and  continued  in  that  relation  till  February, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  267 

1822.  During  that  time  there  were  added  by  baptism  one  hundred 
and  nineteen;  by  letter,  twenty -four.  The  church  mourned  the 
loss  of  this  excellent  and  dearly  beloved  pastor,  and  the  harmony, 
which  had  long  existed,  was  somewhat  marred  by  his  leaving. 
For  five  years  the  church  was  pastorless,  though  supplied  by  differ- 
ent ministers,  among  them  Rev.  Willard  Kimball,  and  Joseph 
Freeman,  then  a  young  man,  and  afterward  an  efficient  pastor  of 
the  church.  Rev.  Sereno  Taylor  also  preached  a  year  during 
this  period.  After  he  was  hired  he  began  industriously  to  circulate 
open  communion  views,  created  a  division,  and  withdrew  with 
some  of  the  members  and  formed  an  open  communion  church. 
For  a  year  or  two  he  remained  pastor  of  this  new  church  and  then 
left  town.  After  his  departure  the  open  communion  church 
changed  its  articles  of  faith,  and  became  the  Congregational  church. 

On  the  nineteenth  of  January,  1827,  the  church  recalled  Mr. 
Elliott  and  he  served  another  pastorate  of  five  years.  From  the 
tenth  of  June,  1822,  till  the  close  of  the  same  month,  in  1833, 
eight  young  men  were  licensed  to  preach  the  gospel,  viz.,  Bela 
Wilcox,  Joseph  Gambol,  Benjamin  Dean,  Jr.,  Abner  Goodell, 
Erastus  Willard,  Charles  Peabody,  Orlando  Cunningham  and 
Charles  Rolles.  Rev.  Richard  Ely  was  the  second  pastor,  x\ugust 
14,  1830,  till  December,  1835.  Additions:  seventy-six  by  baptism, 
nine  by  letter.  The  church  at  this  time  worshipped  part  of  the 
time  in  the  meeting-house,  and  a  part  of  the  time  in  the  old  brick 
school  house.  Rev.  Joseph  Freeman's  pastorate  commenced  in 
1836,  and  continued  till  December  8,  1839.  Sixty-six  were  bap- 
tized, and  twenty -four  received  by  letter  in  this  pastorate.  Rev. 
William  M.  Guilford  then  served  two  years.  A  new  meeting- 
house was  built  in  1840,  and  a  parsonage  in  1844.  The  name  of 
the  church  was  changed  on  the  eleventh  of  September,  1844,  to 
that  of  the  "First  Baptist  Church  in  Saxtons  River  Village." 
Rev.  Lucien  Hay  den  became  pastor  in  March,  1843,  and  continued 
in  office  till  the  third  of  July,  1857,  a  long  and  fruitful  pastorate, 
during  which  seventy-three  were  received  to  membership,  thirty- 
nine  of  them  by  baptism. 

Rev.  W^  N.  Wilbour  was  ordained  pastor  January  25,  1858, 
and  served  sixteen  years,  welcoming  to  the  church  one  hundred  by 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

baptism  and  thirty-four  by  letter.  During  this  time  the  church 
edifice  was  repaired  at  a  cost  of  $6,000,  and  the  parsonage  at  a 
cost  of  $600. 

Rev.  Stephen  H.  Stackpole  served  as  pastor,  1876-1881;  W. 
H.  Randall,  1883-1888;  J.  H.  Robbins,  1889-1890;  W.  R.  Baldwin, 
1891-1896;  F.  T.  Boughton,  1897-1899;  A.  E.  Foote,  1901-1904; 
C.  H.  Brown,  1906-1907;  Mr.  Brown's  work  ended  suddenly  with 
his  death,  July  23,  1908.  He  was  an  able  leader  and  faithful 
minister  and  his  death  was  a  keen  affliction  to  the  church.  Ed- 
ward S.  Mason  has  been  pastor  since  1909.  This  church  has  been 
ably  served,  and  has  held  a  position  of  peculiar  importance  since 
the  founding  of  Vermont  Academy  in  the  village.  And  it  may 
well  be  recorded  that  since  the  Academy  was  started  more  than 
one  hundred  and  sixty  teachers  and  students  have  been  members 
of  the  church,  not  a  few  of  them  having  joined  by  baptism.  While 
there  have  lieen  additions  in  all  the  later  pastorates,  there  have 
been  heavy  losses,  so  that  the  church  is  weaker  now,  numerically, 
than  it  was  in  earlier  years. 

In  1895,  it  enrolled  one  hundred  and  sixty-four  members. 
Present  membership,  ninety-four. 

Londonderry 

The  Baptist  church  in  Londonderry  had  its  origin  in  the 
town  of  Peru,  where  on  the  twenty-seventh  of  October,  1809,  by 
advice  of  a  council,  the  following  persons  were  constituted  a  Baptist 
church:  Asahel  Graves,  Lucy  Graves,  AVilliam  Cooledge,  Anna 
Cooledgc,  Rufus  Butler,  Isabel  Butler,  Cyrus  Staples,  Orpah 
Staples.  Within  fourteen  months  from  the  organization  of  the 
church,  thirty-one  were  received  by  baptism.  Lord's  Day, 
November  11,  1810,  Elder  Gershom  Lane  was  received  by  letter 
from  the  Baptist  church  in  Newport  (probably  New  Hampshire). 
February  20,  1811,  this  church  in  Peru,  wath  thirteen  members  of 
the  church  in  Wiyidham,  by  advice  of  a  council,  became  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Londonderry.  Elder  Lane  was  engaged  to 
preach  three-fourths  of  the  time  for  fifty -two  dollars  a  year,  the 
sum  to  be  paid  in  produce  or  wearing  apparel.  Levi  Baldwin  was 
chosen  clerk,  and  Jesse  Baldwin  and  Abiel  Richardson,  deacons. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  '269 

November  28,  1815,  the  Baptist  church  in  Weston  was  con- 
stituted, to  which  Elder  Lane  and  five  other  members  were  dis- 
missed. September  23,  1817,  Seth  Ewer  was  received  by  letter 
from  the  church  in  Windsor,  and  shortly  afterward  was  licensed  to 
preach.  March  28,  1818,  he  was  called  to  ordination  as  pastor 
upon  a  salary  of  one  hundred  dollars.  In  1819,  David  Sweet  be- 
came pastor,  and  after  serving  a  little  more  than  three  years,  the 
church  voted  to  draw  up  a  subscription  paper  to  secure  his  ser- 
vices for  eight  years  from  date.  They  were  not  successful,  however, 
in  retaining  him  so  long,  as  he  was  dismissed  by  letter  two  years 
later. 

About  1825,  there  arose  a  sentiment  as  to  where  the  meetings 
should  be  held,  and  January  27,  a  council  was  called  to  advise 
regarding  the  matter,  but  the  members  of  the  church  were  not  all 
willing  to  abide  by  the  advice  of  the  council,  and  a  proposition  was 
made  for  the  division  of  the  church,  but  did  not  become  effective. 

The  following  reminiscence  of  this  period  was  furnished  by  an 
aged  lady.  In  the  fall  of  1827,  the  church,  not  having  had  a  com- 
munion season  for  some  time,  on  account  of  differences  of  opinion 
as  to  the  best  place  for  holding  meetings,  one  of  the  deacons  visited 
another,  the  father  of  the  sister  above  mentioned,  to  see  if  some 
plan  could  not  be  devised  which  would  harmonize  the  feelings  of 
the  brethren  so  that  they  could  unite  in  the  observance  of  the 
Lord's  supper.  It  was  proposed  to  call  a  meeting  at  the  Thompson- 
burg  schoolhouse,  on  the  following  Sabbath.  The  deacons  were 
busy  with  the  har\^est  work,  and  could  not  well  spend  the  time  to 
extend  the  notice.  This,  however,  the  daughter,  not  a  professing 
christian,  volunteered  to  do.  The  brethren  came  together  as  in- 
vited, the  meeting  was  opened  as  usual,  a  brother  rose  and  made 
confession,  then  another  and  another,  until  the  place  became  a 
Bochim,  and  all  hearts  seemed  to  be  brought  into  unison.  The 
deacon's  daughter  publicly  expressed  her  interest  in  religion,  and 
her  soul  was  at  once  set  free  in  the  Gospel.  A  precious  revival 
followed,  and  wathin  twelve  months  from  the  first  baptism  thirty- 
three  were  baptized  into  the  church.  The  families  of  the  deacons 
shared  richly  in  the  blessing,  two,  who  were  baptized,  Bradley  S. 
Thompson,   and  David  A.  Richardson,  became  preachers  of  the 


270  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Gospel,  and  also  in  the  same  period,  a  pastor,  Rev.  Sem  Pierce, 
was  ordained.  In  1836,  another  revival  was  enjoyed  when  thirty- 
three  were  received  by  baptism  within  a  year. 

In  1848,  d  fficulties,  which  had  long  existed,  rent  the  church 
into  two  parties,  and  a  formal  separation  took  place  between  the 
northern  and  the  southern  brethren.  The  southern  brethren 
occupied  the  brick  meeting-house,  under  Sem  Pierce,  as  pastor; 
the  northern  brethren  met  for  a  time  in  the  schoolhouses  at  the 
south  village  and  the  Center,  and  the  Congregational  meeting- 
house at  the  Center.  In  1847,  they  built  a  small  meeting-house 
at  the  lower  end  of  the  south  village,  which  was  dedicated  in 
October.  While  worshipping  in  this  house  they  were  served  by 
Rev.  Luke  Sherwin  two  years.  After  a  separation  of  nine  years,  a 
reunion  was  effected,  and  a  revival  soon  followed,  which  resulted  in 
the  baptism  of  twenty-two  within  two  months.  In  the  midst  of 
harvesting  this  revival  work  occurred,  Avithout  any  extra  meetings 
except  an  inquiry  meeting  at  the  pastor's  house. 

In  the  dark  days  of  the  Civil  war  this  church  sent  forth  her 
loyal  sons  to  fight  for  the  Union.  To  quote  from  a  letter  to  the 
Association  of  1864,  "nine  church  members  have  been,  or  now  are, 
on  the  field  of  strife,  with  the  exception  of  one  who  fell  in  the  de- 
fense of  his  country,  and  eleven  who  attend  church  with  us,  two  of 
whom  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  their  country.  Our  united  prayer 
is  that  this  unprovoked  and  unholy  Rebellion  may  be  suppressed, 
and  liberty  and  justice  in  righteousness  be  established  all  over  our 
land." 

The  next  thirty  years  were  marked  by  growi;h  and  stability. 
This  M^as  the  prosperous  period  of  the  church's  life,  and  during 
this  time  the  largest  membership  was  reached,  one  hundred  and 
eighty -two  in  1871. 

Rev.  O.  P.  Fuller  died  in  1893,  the  only  pastor  who  has  died  in 
office.  September  5,  1891,  three  members  were  excluded,  nine- 
teen dropped  and  three  dismissed,  since  which  time  the  member- 
ship has  slowly  decreased,  until  on  the  day  of  its  centennial  the 
church  numbered  fifty-two,  two  less  than  when  the  church  was 
constituted. 


HISTORY  OF   THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  271 

The  total  number  baptized  during  the  century  is  four  hundred 
and  twenty-four.  The  present  meeting-house  was  built  in  1844, 
repaired  in  1855,  again  in  1880,  and  again  in  1907,  and  now  the 
church  has  a  beautiful  and  comfortable  meeting-house  and  a  good 
parsonage,  free  from  debt. 

The  church  has  had  nineteen  pastors  in  the  following  order: 
Gershom  Lane,  Seth  Ewer,  David  Sweet,  Sem  Pierce,  Rufus 
Smith,  Jr.,  Luke  Sherwin,  Russel  Wheeler,  I.  C.  Carpenter,  J.  P. 
Huntington,  Charles  Coon,  John  S.  Goodall,  Richard  Nott,  John 
S.  Goodall,  L.  W.  Wheeler,  H.  C.  Leavitt,  O.  P.  Fuller,  N.  W. 
Wood,  W.  T.  Rice,  F.  E.  Coburn  and  R.  H.  Tibbals.  The  church 
has  had  twenty  deacons  and  thirteen  clerks;  the  present  clerk, 
Elijah  F.  Rugg,  having  served  forty-two  years.  It  has  licensed 
eight  persons  to  preach,  among  whom  is  John  S.  Lyon,  D.  D.,  of 
Holyoke,  Mass. 

Ludlow 

The  Baptist  church  in  Ludlow,  dates  no  farther  back  than  1835, 
but  to  give  a  consecutive  history  of  Baptist  interests,  in  this  town, 
one  must  go  back  to  an  earlier  date.  The  first  settlement  of  Lud- 
low was  commenced  in  1784-1785,  by  a  few^  individuals,  one  of 
whom  was  Simeon  Read,  whose  wife  was  the  first  person  to  be 
baptized  in  Ludlow.  This  was  about  1800.  Orlando  Whitney 
and  wife  were,  however,  the  first  Baptists  in  Ludlow.  Andrew 
Pettigrew  was  the  first  man  to  be  baptized  in  town.  That  was  in 
the  year,  1803,  by  Rev.  Henry  Green,  of  Wallingford.  iVs  early  as 
1806,  there  were  thirteen  Baptists  in  town,  three  of  whom  were 
added  that  year  by  baptism.  Meetings  were  held  in  private 
houses.  Elder  Aaron  Leland  or  Elder  Manning,  of  Andover, 
administered  the  ordinances.  When  no  minister  was  present, 
Andrew  Pettigrew,  who  was  a  very  prominent  member  of  the 
early  Baptists  and  distinguished  for  his  piety,  usually  appointed 
and  conducted  the  meetings.  He  first  united  with  the  church  in 
Chester,  and  subsequently  removed  his  connection  to  Cavendish. 

In  1819,  a  large  brick  building  was  erected,  called  the  Union 
Meeting-house,  which  the  Baptists  occupied  nearly  half  the  time. 


272  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

On  the  eighteenth  of  April,  1825,  a  council,  of  which  Aaron  Leland 
was  moderator,  and  Ariel  Kendrick,  of  Cornish,  scribe,  met  in 
Ludlow.  At  that  time  some  of  the  Baptists  in  Ludlow  were  mem- 
bers of  the  Chester  church,  and  some  of  the  Andover  church,  but 
the  great  majority  belonged  to  the  Cavendish  church,  and  were 
regarded  as  a  branch  of  that  church.  With  the  consent  of  the 
parent  church,  the  council  recognized  a  new  Baptist  church  in  Lud- 
low^ of  forty  members.  Moses  Mayo  and  Andrew  Pettigrew  were 
chosen  deacons. 

The  first  Baptist  minister,  who  preached  statedly  in  Ludlow, 
was  Benjamin  Pierce,  a  licentiate  member  of  the  Cavendish  church. 
His  successors  were  Jonathan  Going,  Thomas  Starkweather,  Reuel 
Lathrop  and  Ariel  Kendrick.  Rev.  Joseph  Freeman  was  the  first 
minister  to  serve  the  church  after  its  organization.  He  resided  in 
Proctors ville,  and  preached  alternately  to  the  churches  in  Caven- 
dish and  Ludlow,  each  church  paying  one  hundred  and  sixty-five 
dollars  annually,  and  sharing  equally  in  the  cost  of  keeping  his 
horse.  He  remained  till  the  autumn  of  1827,  when  he  entered 
upon  a  course  of  study  at  Newton  Theological  Institution.  Dur- 
ing the  year,  1826,  he  baptized  sixty  persons.  In  1828,  he  returned 
to  the  work  again  in  this  field.  Rev.  Elias  Hurlbut  succeeded  Mr. 
Freeman  and  remained  two  years,  the  first  minister  to  reside  in 
town,  and  first  to  preach  all  the  time.  In  1834,  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves 
became  pastor,  and  preached  till  the  formation  of  the  Second 
church  in  1835,  baptizing  twentj'-one  and  adding  thirteen  by  letter. 
Later,  Rev.  A.  Allen,  of  Stockbridge,  Vt.,  preached  part  of  the 
time  to  the  First  church,  and  their  records  continue  for  a  little 
more  than  two  years,  until  September,  1837,  when  it  lost  its  visible 
connection  with  the  Woodstock  Association,  and  became  extinct. 
During  the  twelve  years  of  its  existence  it  received  about  two 
hundred  and  twenty-five  to  membership,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
three  by  baptism.  Three  of  their  number,  Frederick  Page,  Horace 
Wilcox,  and  Atwell  Graves,  were  approved  of  the  church  as  having 
personal  qualifications  for  the  ministry. 

June  30,  1835,  by  the  aid  of  a  council,  a  Second  Baptist  church 
was  organized  in  Ludlow.  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves  transferred  his 
relation  from  the  First  church  to  the  Second,  and  became  its  pastor. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  273 

Jesse  Bailey,  having  made  like  transfer,  became  clerk.  Janna 
Wilcox,  Moses  Dodge,  and  Asa  Fletcher  were  elected  deacons.  On 
the  twenty -first  of  September,  1838,  after  the  First  church  ceased  to 
be  recognized  by  the  Association,  the  second  Church  took  the  name 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Ludlow,  simply. 

According  to  the  written  and  verbal  testimony  of  this  church, 
the  principal  cause  of  the  division  was  the  subject  of  temperance. 
For  some  time  the  members  of  the  First  church  had  been  about 
equally  divided  on  this  question.  Some  favored  the  organization 
of  temperance  societies,  and  some  did  not.  Some  justified  the  use 
of  alcoholic  hquors,  and  others  did  not,  and  the  discussions  were 
not  always  consonant  with  the  spirit  of  Christianity.  The  difficul- 
ties assumed  large  proportions;  the  power  of  discipline  was,  in  a 
large  measure,  lost,  and  the  work  of  the  church  was  finally  paralyzed. 
Accordingly,  it  was  thought  best  by  the  temperance  party,  either 
to  dissolve  the  church,  or  ask  for  letters  of  dismission.  In  a  meeting 
the  twenty-seventh  of  June,  1835,  the  vote  to  dissolve  was  lost, 
and  Parker  Pettigrew,  son  of  Deacon  Andrew  Pettigrew,  moved 
for  letters  of  dismission  \vithout  recommendation.  This  was 
carried,  and  the  clerk  was  instructed  to  give  the  same  to  all  who 
would  apply  within  a  week.  The  same  day,  June  27,  a  meeting 
was  held  by  those  who  withdrew ,  and  was  organized  by  the  choice 
of  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves,  moderator,  and  Dr.  A.  G.  Taylor,  clerk. 
After  due  consideration  they  voted  to  organize  another  church,  and 
were  also  in  favor  of  calling  a  council  of  delegates  for  the  purpose 
of  deciding  upon  the  propriety  of  the  same.  The  council  assembled 
with  the  result  as  already  stated.  Seventy-eight  members  seceded 
and  formed  a  new  church,  and  in  the  covenant  for  their  adoption 
they  inserted  an  additional  clause,  viz.,  "We  engage  to  use  no 
ardent  spirits  except  for  medicinal  purposes."  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves 
served  as  pastor  about  one  year,  when  he  was  dismissed  at  his  own 
request.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  D.  H.  Ranney,  who  served 
one  year.  Rev.  William  Upham,  preceptor  of  the  Academy,  was 
his  successor  till  May,  1838,  when  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves  became  its 
pastor  the  second  time,  remaining  till  October,  1840.  Up  to  this 
date,  sixty -five  had  been  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the  new 
church,  and  thirty -eight  received  by  letter,  most  of  whom  united 


274  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

during  the  pastorate  of  Mr.  Graves.  In  1840,  a  meeting-house 
was  built. 

In  March,  1841,  Rev.  Baxter  Burrows  began  a  pastorate  of 
seven  years,  in  which  he  baptized  fifty-eight  and  received  thirty -five 
by  letter.  In  April,  1849,  Rev.  N.  Cudworth  became  pastor,  and 
served  till  ill  health  compelled  his  resignation,  August,  1852.  He 
was  a  man  of  excellent  spirit,  a  faithful  pastor  in  whom  the  flock 
could  place  confidence.  In  May,  1853,  Rev.  Ira  Pierson  com- 
menced his  ministry  among  this  people,  serving  nineteen  years. 
He  baptized  eighty -nine,  and  welcomed  to  the  church  seventy-six 
by  letter,  a  total  of  one  hundred  and  sixty -five.  The  benevolent 
contributions  during  this  time  was  $3718.21,  of  which  the  pastor 
paid  nearly  one-tenth.  The  church  edifice  was  repaired  and  reno- 
vated in  1869,  at  a  cost  of  $1828.  Brother  Pierson  walked  among 
his  people  as  a  man  of  God,  an  able  preacher,  a  wise  counsellor, 
a  fatherly  pastor,  a  beloved  citizen.  He,  therefore,  greatly 
endeared  himself  to  the  church  and  the  people  of  Ludlow.  In 
his  eighty -first  year  he  resigned  his  charge  and  removed  to  New- 
port, N.  H.  Long  will  the  "Old  Pastor"  be  remembered  by 
a  grateful  and  lo^•ing  people. 

During  the  period  thus  far  covered,  three  members  of  the 
church  had  been  approved  as  having  qualifications  suitable  for  the 
ministry,  Samuel  Johnson,  Albert  B.  Putnam  and  Moses  Burbank. 
In  June,  1872,  Rev.  J.  P.  Farrar  commenced  a  five  years' pastorate. 
Mr.  Farrar  prepared  the  historical  sketch,  printed  in  the  minutes 
of  1878,  from  which  the  foregoing  items  have  been  taken.  A 
remarkable  awakening  occurred  in  1875.  Gospel  meetings  were 
held  in  February,  and  many  were  converted.  Union  meetings 
were  held  every  evening  for  several  weeks.  Rev.  E.  A.  Whittier 
and  wife  assisted  ten  days  in  April.  One  hundred  gave  evidence 
of  conversion.  July  2,  3,  and  4,  a  Gospel  celebration  was  held  in  a 
tent,  assisted  by  brethren  from  Massachusetts.  People  came  to  it 
from  far  and  near,  and  thus  spread  the  revival  influences.  Rev. 
Ira  Pierson  visited  his  old  field,  and  assisted  the  pastor  in  giving 
the  hand  of  fellowship  to  thirty-one  new  members,  twenty-seven 
of  whom  had  been  baptized  the  same  day.  During  the  associa- 
tional  year,  forty-six  were  baptized,  seven  received  by  letter  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  275 

eight  by  experience,  sixty -one  total.  The  membership  reached 
the  number  two  hundred  and  twenty-three.  Deacon  Ora  J. 
Taylor  received  Ucense  to  preach  the  following  year,  and  was  or- 
dained in  1878. 

Rev.  J.  A.  Johnson  was  next  pastor,  1878-1880,  and  was 
followed  by  Rev.  J.  B.  Child,  1882-1883,  and  Rev.  R.  L.  Olds, 
1884-1889.  The  second  year  of  tliis  pastorate  was  marked  by  an- 
other ingathering.  Union  services  were  held,  conducted  by  resident 
pastors,  and  during  that  associational  year,  twenty-six  were  bap- 
tized, seven  received  by  letter,  and  three  by  experience.  Rev.  D. 
D.  Owen  began  a  pastorate  of  about  eight  years,  in  1891.  That 
year  the  Society  and  the  "  Meeting  House  Society"  were  abolished, 
and  the  church  incorporated.  The  next  year  a  new  church  edifice 
was  in  process  of  erection,  and  a  lot  purchased  for  a  parsonage. 
Pastor  Owen's  work  was  of  high  character,  and  the  missionary 
interest  in  the  church  received  a  special  impetus.  He  was  suc- 
ceeded by  Rev.  H.  E.  Thayer,  who  served  from  1899  to  1904,  with  a 
cultured,  edifying,  fruitful  ministry.  Rev.  E.  L.  Bayliss  followed, 
1905-1910,  under  whose  ministry  the  church  continued  to  prosper, 
attaining  a  membership  of  two  hundred  and  twenty -eight.  In 
1911,  Rev.  J.  H.  Thompson  took  up  the  work  as  pastor. 

Felchville 

Organized  June  24,  1835.  Brethren,  Silas  Brown,  Samuel  R. 
Kendall,  Thomas  Kendall,  Oliver  F.  Shattuck,  Samuel  Williams, 
John  Kile.  Sisters,  Roxanna  Bowen,  Mehitabel  Bowen,  Betsey 
Kendall,  Susan  Shattuck,  Louise  Adams,  Lucinda  Poturine,  Grace 
Stearns,  Mary  Ward,  Lucy  Williams,  Elizabeth  Streeter,  Lucinda 
Salisbury,  Calista  Tarbell,  Susannah  Densmore,  Mariah  Streeter, 
Flavilla  Steams.  Rev.  David  Burrows  supplied  the  church  one- 
half  the  time  during  the  year,  1836.  Charles  Farrar  was  ordained 
pastor  January  15,  1839,  and  served  till  1842.  For  a  number  of 
years  the  changes  in  the  pastorates  were  frequent  and  the  terms 
short.  W.  M.  Guilford,  1843;  A.  H.  Houes,  1844-1845;  E.  Page, 
1848;  I.  Sherwin,  1850;  R.  P.  x^msden,  1852-1853;  C.  L.  Frost, 
1855;  J.  Freeman,  1857;  B.  Burrows.  1858-1859;  J.  Freeman,  1860; 


276  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

R.  G.  Johnson,  1862-1865.  C.  H.  Richardson,  1865-1870,  Joseph 
Small,  1871-1872;  George  H.  Parker,  October  6,  1872-July  15, 
1877;  Joseph  Small  again,  1877  till  1880.  Death  terminated  this 
pastorate  under  impressive  circumstances.  He  was  taken  sudden- 
ly ill  while  preaching  the  annual  sermon  at  Londonderry,  before 
the  Association,  and  lived  only  an  hour.  Rev.  Albert  Heald  was 
pastor  from  September  3,  1881,  to  June  3,  1894.  Rev.  E.  A. 
Whittier  and  wife  assisted  him  in  a  series  of  meetings  in  1882, 
sixteen  days,  and  twenty  were  converted.  Rev.  Henry  Clay 
Searles  assisted  in  1890,  and  eleven  were  converted  and  baptized 
August  17, 1890.  Mrs.  Nancy  Amsden,  who  was  over  one  hmidred 
years  of  age,  attended  a  meeting  of  the  church  and  made  some 
pertinent  remarks.  She  died  January  17,  1891,  aged  one  hundred 
and  one  years,  five  months  and  twenty-seven  days.  Mr.  Searles 
led  in  another  series  of  meetings  in  October,  1890,  and  eight  were 
received  by  baptism.  In  1892,  a  license  was  granted  to  Daniel 
W.  Lyman.  F.  L.  Hopkins  was  pastor  from  1894  to  1898;  Thomas 
Tellier,  1899-1902;  P.  M.  Bauknight,  1902;  George  Pomfrey,  1904- 
1907;  W.  E.  Baker,  1908-1912. 

April  30,  1842,  Mary  R.  Robinson  devised  the  income  of  all 
her  property  for  the  support  of  Baptist  preaching  in  Reading,  under 
the  direction  of  the  State  Convention.  Louise  Stearns  died  Janu- 
ary 10,  1893,  and  her  will  provided  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars, 
the  income  of  which  was  to  be  used  for  repairs  on  the  parsonage,  and 
the  residue  of  her  estate,  under  trustees  duly  appointed,  for  the  sup- 
port of  Baptist  preaching,  so  long  as  a  Baptist  church  existed  in 
Felchville,  the  State  Convention  to  receive  the  bequest  in  case 
the  church  became  extinct.  Removals  and  deaths  have  depleted 
the  church  till  from  fifty-nine  members  in  1899,  it  has  been  reduced 
to  nine  members  in  1912. 

Perkinsville 

The  Perkinsville  church  is  an  offshoot  of  the  church  in  North 
Springfield,  and  was  organized  and  recognized  by  a  council,  called 
by  the  mother  church,  May  27, 1835.  Bana  Bigelow  was  appointed 
deacon,  J.  M.  Aldrich,  clerk.     David  Burrows  was  first  pastor. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  277 

dividing  his  time  between  this  church  and  the  one  at  Felchville. 
The  State  Convention  has  fostered  both  churches.  Twenty-one 
united  with  the  church  by  baptism,  and  eleven  by  letter,  before  the 
close  of  Mr.  Burrows'  pastorate  in  1837.  Rev.  William  Guilford 
removed  from  Waitsfield  to  Perkinsville  in  the  fall  of  1837,  and  was 
pastor  till  November,  1839.  During  this  time  twenty-seven  were 
baptized  and  nine  received  by  letter.  June  24,  1841,  Theodore 
H.  Lunt  was  ordained  pastor,  and  served  one  year.  Seventeen 
were  received  by  letter,  none  by  baptism.  Rev.  Mr.  Guilford  was 
invited  to  return,  and  he  remained  four  years.  A  part  of  this  time, 
Mr.  Guilford  was  principal  of  the  Perkinsville  Academy.  Rev.  F. 
Page  and  Rev.  Luke  Sherwin  each  served  two  years  as  pastor. 
Then  C.  H.  Frost  was  ordained  November  18,  1852,  and  served 
till  Januarys  27,  1856.  Joseph  Freeman  then  supplied  for  one  year, 
and  baptized  twenty-two  converts,  and  received  five  by  letter. 
Charles  Frost  returned  for  a  second  pastorate,  February,  1857,  to 
February,  1860,  and  was  followed  l)y  Rev.  N.  Cudworth,  who  re- 
mained eleven  years,  February,  1860,  to  August,  1871.  Twenty- 
two  were  added  by  baptism  and  twenty-seven  by  letter.  William 
Rugg  began  a  pastorate  in  1873,  which  continued  until  1881. 

This  church  has  had  the  happy  faculty  of  obtaining  and 
keeping  good  pastors.  Within  the  last  forty  years  it  has  had  but 
five  pastors,  viz:  William  Rugg,  1873-1881;  W. H. Stewart,  1884- 
1885;  H.  M.  Hopkinson,  1887-1898;  O.  C.Winestock,  1899-1905; 
A.  J.  Hopkins,  1906.  The  territory  from  which  the  church  draws 
its  resident  members  is  not  thickly  populated,  and  there  is  a  Metho- 
dist church  in  the  same  field.  It  has  been  exceptionally  free  from 
occasions  for  discipline,  and  has  maintained  a  good  degree  of  har- 
mony. It  has  been  able  not  only  to  maintain  its  numerical  strength, 
but  with  all  the  losses  has  been  able  to  make  advance,  attaining 
its  maximum  number  of  one  hundred  and  seven  during  the  efficient 
pastorate  of  Rev.  O.  C.  Winestock  in  1903.  Its  membership  in 
1911  was  ninety -eight. 

Bellows  Falls 

In  1854,  a  large  council  from  neighboring  churches  was  called 
in  Bellows  Falls,  to  advise  with  reference  to  organizing  a  Baptist 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

church  in  that  growing  village.  That  council  finding  but  twelve 
persons,  who  were  prepared  with  letters,  to  unite  with  the  church, 
adjourned  to  a  future  day  without  taking  any  further  action  than 
to  recommend  the  organization  of  a  church,  provided  about  thirty 
persons  could  be  found  ready  to  unite  with  it.  The  council  met 
according  to  adjournment,  and  a  church  of  thirty -four  members 
was  recognized  April  4.  Rev.  Ahira  Jones,  agent  of  the  State 
Convention,  supplied  them  with  preaching  from  that  time  till  June. 
Rev.  N.  B.  Jones  became  first  pastor,  February,  1855,  and  resigned 
after  about  a  year's  service.  Having  no  meeting-house,  services 
were  held  for  a  time  in  the  hall  comiected  with  the  Island  House. 
S.  F.  Brown,  then  a  student  at  New  Hampton  Institution,  began 
supplying  the  church  in  May,  and  was  ordained  pastor  the  follow- 
ing September.  Mr.  Browai  patiently  labored  under  the  difficul- 
ties attending  a  new  enterprise,  until  March,  1863.  Under  his 
leadership  a  meeting-house  was  erected  and  completed  in  1862, 
and  the  prospects  of  the  church  greatly  improved.  For  the  next 
two  years  the  church  was  unable  to  secure  a  pastor,  and  was  de- 
pendent upon  supplies.  Rev.  N.  Pierce  was  employed  in  1866, 
but  shortly  after  resigned.  C.  F.  Nichols  served  a  few  months  in 
1869. 

In  1870,  J.  R.Haskins  became  pastor,  holding  the  position  till 
1877.  This  was  a  period  of  encouraging  development.  The 
congregations  increased  in  numbers,  accessions  out-numbering 
losses  brought  the  membership  from  fifty-nine  to  seventy-eight. 

In  1872,  after  fifteen  years  of  dependence  upon  the  State 
Convention,  which  had  been  liberal  in  its  appropriations,  it  became 
self-sustaining.  Friends  in  Brattleboro  met  a  great  need  by  build- 
ing for  the  church  a  parsonage.  The  ladies  bought  a  bell  and 
painted  the  meeting-house.  In  temporal  and  spiritual  lines  there 
was  progress.  Rev.  E.  A.  Herring  held  the  pastorate  in  1878  and 
1879,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Emery,  who,  during  a  five 
years'  term,  baptized  forty  and  welcomed  twenty-seven  by  letter. 
The  membership  increased  to  one  hundred  and  nineteen  in  1882. 
Edward  Green  was  chosen  pastor,  after  the  resignation  of  Mr. 
Emery  in  1884,  but  changing  his  theological  views,  resigned  after  a 
very  short  stay,  and  N.  W.  Alger  became  pastor,  beginning  his  work 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  279 

in  1885,  and  closing  it  in  1889,  Illustrative  of  the  fluctuations  in 
a  manufacturing  town,  in  1887,  there  were  twenty-seven  additions 
by  letter,  and  in  1890,  twenty  were  dismissed  by  letter.  In  1890, 
Rev.  C.  R.  B.  Dodge  began  a  pastorate  which  continued  nearly 
twelve  years,  during  which  time  the  church  made  steady  and 
substantial  growth,  and  fulfilled  its  beneficent  mission  in  the  com- 
munity. Mr.  Dodge,  with  remarkable  administrative  and  pas- 
toral ability,  shepherded  his  flock  and  gave  the  church  a  position  of 
influence  in  the  town  and  State.  In  Sunday  school  work  and 
missionary  effort,  the  church  was  specially  interested.  The  meet- 
ing-house was  remodelled  and  enlarged,  and  greatly  improved. 
Forty-one  were  baptized  and  eighty -two  received  by  letter,  bring- 
ing the  membership  to  one  hundred  and  sixty-two. 

Rev.  C.  W.  Jackson  was  next  pastor,  1902-1906,  under 
whose  ministry  the  church  continued  to  grow  and  exert  its  in- 
fluence. In  1905,  a  house  to  house  ministry,  with  the  assistance  of 
Miss  Grace  Brooks,  was  blessed,  and  twenty  were  baptized  that 
year.  Rev.  J.  W.  Moore,  whose  work  began  in  1907,  has  been 
permitted  to  welcome  upward  of  thirty  by  baptism  and  about 
the  same  number  by  letter.  The  dismissions  by  letter  have  been 
a  good  manj^  In  1909,  membership  had  reached  within  six  of  the 
two  hundred  mark.  Present  number,  one  hundred  and  eighty-six 
(1912). 

East   Walling  ford 

The  beginnings  of  the  East  Wallingford  church  appears  in 
recent  minutes  to  date  from  1861,  but  it  really  dates  as  far  back 
as  1830,  when  the  Mount  Holly  church  dismissed  fortj^ -three  of  its 
members  to  constitute  a  church  under  the  name  of  the  Second 
Wallingford  church.  This  new  church  united  with  the  Wood- 
stock Association  the  following  year,  with  Artemas  Arnold,  as 
pastor,  Oliver  Allen  and  Isham  White,  deacons,  and  a  membership 
of  fifty -five.  It  appears  to  have  had  early  trials,  but  by  its  aggres- 
sive evangelistic  efforts  it  won  fifteen  to  Christ  in  1832,  and  twenty- 
one  in  1833,  who  united  with  the  church  by  baptism.  H.  F.  Dean 
became  pastor  in  1833,  serving  three  years.     S.  B.  Thompson  was 


280  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ordained  pastor  in  1837,  serving  two  years.  During  the  decade 
from  1840  to  1850,  the  pulpit  seems  to  have  been  somewhat  irregu- 
larly supplied  by  J.  Sanders,  and  failed  to  report  regularly  to  the 
Association. 

In  1852,  it  secured  the  pastoral  service  of  Elder  Daniel  Packer, 
pastor  of  the  mother  church,  and  an  ingathering  of  upward  of 
thirty  soon  followed  as  the  result  of  special  effort,  aided  by  William 
Grant,  in  a  five  weeks'  series  of  meetings. 

Elder  Packer  continued  to  shepherd  the  flock  until  1857, 
when  A.  A.  Constantine  was  chosen  pastor.  It  became  evident  at 
that  time  that  the  permanence  and  influence  of  the  church  de- 
pended upon  having  a  meeting-house  in  a  more  central  location, 
and  the  enterprise  was  undertaken,  resulting  in  the  completion  of 
the  present  East  Wallingford  meeting-house  near  the  railroad 
station  in  East  Wallingford. 

When  the  change  of  location  was  made,  the  Second  Baptist 
Church  of  Wallingford  was  considered  dissolved,  and  a  new  church, 
but  practically  the  old  church  in  a  new  meeting-house,  was  or- 
ganized under  the  name  of  the  East  Walli7igford  Baptist  Church. 
It  was  then,  and  still  continues  to  be,  the  only  church  in  that  village. 
Concerning  its  history  little  can  be  given  more  than  the  succession 
of  pastors,  which  is  as  follows: 

J.  P.  Farrar,  1861-1862;  C.  P.  Frenyear,  1863;  C.  Coon,  1865- 
1866;  E.  P.  Merrifield,  1866-1867;  J.  Fletcher,  1869;  J.  P.  Farrar, 
1870-1871;  E.  A.  Wood,  1872;  S.  Wright,  1873;  H.  C.  Robbins, 
1875;  A.  S.  Chick,  1876-1878;  I.  P.  Kellogg,  1881;  T.  H.Archibald, 
1882-1883;  W.  S.  Patterson,  1884-1888;  R.  B.  Tozer,  1890-1892; 
Geo.  S.  Wrigley,  1892-1893;  S.  H.  Meyers,  1895;  F.  T.  Kenyon, 
1896-1897;  A.  S.  Chick,  1898-1901;  Charles  Parker,  1902;  Lyman 
H.  Morse,  1903-1905;  R.  A.  Burrows,  1906;  I.  M.  Compton,  1907- 
1909;  Frederick  Emerson,  1910-1911;  George  Buck,  1912. 

Present  Membership  (1912),  thirty-five. 

Weston 

On  the  twenty -eighth  of  November,  1815,  the  Baptist  church 
in  Londonderry,  Vt.,  dismissed  its  pastor.  Rev.  Gershom  Lane, 
and  five  members,  to  unite  with  other  members  of  the  churches  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  281 

Andover  and  Mount  Holly  in  organizing  a  Baptist  church  in 
Weston.  On  the  same  date  a  church  was  there  organized  by  advice 
of  a  council,  of  which  Elder  Joel  Manning  was  moderator,  and 
Samuel  Manning,  clerk.  The  names  of  the  constituent  members 
were  Elder  Gershom  Lane,  Deacon  Henry  Hall,  Timothy  Watts, 
Abigail  Hall,  John  Wait,  Dolly  Wait,  Elizabeth  Watts,  Parker 
Shattuck,  Sarah  Shattuck,  Betsey  Wait,  Abigail  Negus,  Lucy 
Brown,  Nancy  Holt,  Betsy  Richardson,  Sally  Lund,  Augustus 
Pease,  Patty  Pease,  Sarah  Goss,  Jacob  Foster,  Hannah  Foster, 
Anna  Stertin,  Sally  Davis,  Phoebe  Pierce,  John  Brown,  Samuel 
Stertin,  Abiel  Gray,  Ebenezer  Farnsworth,  David  Stertin,  William 
Stertin,  Martha  Farnsworth,  Keyes  Hall,  Mary  Gray,  Joel  Chand- 
ler, Lucy  B.  Chandler,  Sarah  Lawrimer,  Polly  Windship,  Prudence 
Pease  and  Jonathan  Tenney. 

Elder  Lane  continued  pastor  six  years,  and  the  church  re- 
ceived additions  increasing  its  membership  to  forty-eight.  For 
the  next  nine  years  the  church  was  without  pastor,  but  reported 
to  the  Association  a  membership  of  upward  of  fifty.  In  1831, 
Friend  Blood  became  pastor,  and  began  the  harvest  that  was  so 
abundant  in  this  region,  baptizing  thirteen  and  receiving  four  by 
letter. 

In  the  next  two  years,  1832-1833,  Rev.  M.  L.  Fuller,  as  pastor, 
witnessed  the  climax  of  that  ingathering,  and  baptized  thirty-one 
and  received  seven  by  letter,  carrying  the  membership  to  one 
hundred  and  three.  He  was  followed  by  Joseph  Parker,  two  years. 
In  1836,  Samuel  Pollard  was  ordained,  and  for  seven  years  served 
the  church  during  what  appears  to  have  been  the  period  of  most 
rapid  continued  growth  and  prosperity  in  the  history  of  the  church. 
Substantial  accessions  were  made  annually  by  baptism  and  letter, 
and  notwithstanding  losses  by  death  and  removal,  the  membership 
reached  its  maximum  number,  one  hundred  and  forty-six.  In 
1836,  the  church  resolved  itself  into  a  Benevolent  Society  for  the 
circulation  of  the  Bible  among  the  destitute,  and  for  other  bene- 
volent purposes.  In  1838,  a  meeting-house  was  erected  and  dedi- 
cated, Elder  R.  M.  Ely,  preaching  the  sermon,  and  Elder  D.  Packer 
offering  the  dedication  prayer.  Rev.  G.  S.  Stockwell  preached  in 
1844,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  Rufus  Smith,  who  continued  in 


282  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

office  about  five  years.  In  1847,  the  church  made  special  effort 
in  evangelism,  calling  to  its  help  a  Mr.  Kingsley,  of  New  York,  and 
the  result  was  accession  of  twenty-two  by  baptism  and  nine  by 
letter. 

Rev.  L.  Chickering  was  pastor  two  years,  1851-1852,  then 
followed  two  years  of  discouragement  without  pastoral  care,  then 
four  bright  years  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Rev.  I.  H.  Wood.  In 
1858,  sixteen  were  baptized.  The  membership  was  then  one 
hundred  and  six. 

C.  J.  Rugg,  a  licentiate,  preached  in  1859.  Rev.  T.  B.  East- 
man was  pastor  during  the  years,  1861-1865.  This  was  the  dark 
period  of  the  Civil  war,  when  all  our  churches  were  in  mourning 
for  the  fallen.  Many  from  this  church  and  congregation  entered 
the  Union  army.  In  1866,  Rev.  L.  Kinney  was  minister,  and  the 
following  year,  assisted  by  Evangelist  Swain  and  others,  the  church 
had  another  season  of  refreshing.  The  succession  of  pastors  con- 
tinued as  follows,  L.  Kinney,  1868;  C.  Brooks,  1869;  L.  Chicker- 
ing, 1871;  C,  Blaisdell,  1872-1873;  J.  Munroe,  1875;  L.  Kinney, 
1876-1879;  I.  P.  Kellogg,  1882-18S3.  During  the  years,  1884- 
1890,  the  church  was  pastorless,  a  season  of  discouragement  and 
depression.  Then  came  Rev.  H.  C.  Searles  with  encouraging 
voice  and  energetic  effort  and  under  liis  short  pastorate  of  one  year, 
twenty-eight  were  added  by  baptism  and  thirteen  by  letter.  Rev. 
George  E.  Boynton  followed  with  a  five  years'  pastorate.  The 
church  began  a  decline  which  became  the  more  manifest  in  1898, 
when  thirty-one  were  dropped  from  the  roll  for  various  reasons, 
and  the  reported  membership  was  fifty.  Rev.  J.  R.  Conrad 
served  1898-1899;  I.  P.  Farrar,  1900;  H.  C.  Searles,  1901-1902; 
Chas.  W.  Safford,  1904-1906;  R.  H.  Tibbals,  1907;  W.  H.  Bishop, 
1908-1910;  E.  B.  Russell,  1911,  ordained  by  the  church  in  Septem- 
ber. In  the  village  of  Weston  there  are  two  other  churches,  a 
Congregational  and  a  Methodist.  The  Baptist  church  has  owed 
the  continuance  of  its  life  for  a  number  of  years  to  the  watch  care 
of  the  State  Convention,  under  its  energetic  Secretary,  W.  A. 
Davison.  Its  difficulties  have  at  times  seemed  almost  insur- 
mountable, but  its  existence  has  appeared  of  no  small  value.  For 
years  it  has  been  a  feeder  of  other  neighboring  Baptist  churches, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  a  means  of  grace  to  the  community.  With  the  coming  of 
Pastor  Russell  it  has  put  on  strength  and  beauty.  It  has  thorough- 
ly renovated  and  beautified  its  house  of  worship,  secured  the  use 
of  a  parsonage,  reorganized  its  societies,  and  entered  upon  work 
along  new  lines  with  very  promising  prospects.  Mr.  Russell  shep- 
herds the  Andover  people  also,  and  the  relation  between  the  two 
churches  is  close  and  friendly. 


Chapter  XVII. 

BARRE  ASSOCIATION,  NOW  KNOWN  AS  THE 
VERMONT  CENTRAL  ASSOCIATION 

The  Barre  Association  was  organized  in  1807,  and  received  its 
name  according  to  the  usual  custom  from  the  place  where  it  was 
organized.  The  earliest  records  accessible  are  the  minutes  of  1810. 
It  then  consisted  of  the  churches  in  Calais,  of  about  twenty-eight 
members;  Williamstown,  membership  not  reported;  Barre,  thirty- 
four;  Chelsea  and  Tunbridge,  thirty -nine.  Elder  Samuel  Hovey, 
father  of  Alvah  Hovey,  D.  D.;  Randolph,  thirty-one;  Braintree, 
forty -four.  Elder  E.  Huntington;  Topsham,  forty-seven;  Royal- 
ton,  fourteen;  Wari-en,  fifteen;  Hanover,  N.  H.,  one  hundred  and 
seventeen;  Lyme,  N.  H.,  thirty-eight. 

The  last  two  churches  were  received  in  1810.  Chelsea  and 
Royalton  churches  had  previously  been  in  the  Woodstock  Associa- 
tion. These  nine  Vermont  churches  were  small,  weak  and  scattered, 
and  most  of  them  like  sheep  without  a  shepherd.  Their  desti- 
tute condition  moved  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary 
Society  to  send  missionaries  among  them,  whose  visits  were  eagerly 
welcomed  and  very  helpful.  Joshua  Bradley  visited  and  preached 
in  this  region  in  1804,  and  Samuel  Ambrose  in  1809,  and  Barnabas 
Perkins  in  1816.  The  reports  of  these  missionaries  give  evidence 
of  the  spiritual  destitution  of  these  fields.  The  churches  needed 
the  fellowship  and  co-operation  of  one  another.  Their  spiritual 
leaders  at  the  first,  and  for  many  years,  were  Elder  Samuel  Hovey, 
father  of  the  late  Alvah  Hovey,  D.  D.,  and  Elder  E.  Huntington, 
pastor  of  the  Braintree  church  from  his  ordination  in  1810  till  1828. 

To  the  Association  churches  were  added  from  time  to  time, 
the  Roxbury  in  1811;  Sharon,  1812;  Bethel,  1815;  Kingston,  Han- 

NoTE. — The  historical  sketches  of  this  Association  and  its  churches  were 
prepared  by  Rev.  W.  A.  Kinzie  and  read  at  the  Centenary  of  the  Association 
held  in  Barre,  1907. 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

over  and  Rochester  in  1819;  Thetford  and  Fairlee,  1817;  Plainfield, 
1820. 

The  Association  in  1820,  numbered  thirteen  churches,  eight 
ordained  ministers,  and  four  hundred  and  seventy  members.  Still 
other  churches  have  been  admitted  until  forty  different  churches 
have  been  connected  with  this  Association.  Its  territory  has  been 
most  of  Washington  county,  all  of  Orange  county,  wath  two  towns 
in  New  Hampshire,  one  in  Caledonia  county,  Vt.,  one  in  Addison 
county,  and  five  in  Windsor  county. 

The  original  name,  Barre  Association,  was  retained  till  1871, 
when  it  was  changed  to  The  Vermont  Central  Baptist  Association, 
which  it  still  retains. 

For  a  few  years  the  sessions  of  the  Association  were  mainly 
inspirational.  Letters  from  the  churches  were  read,  the  condition 
of  those  not  reporting  were  inquired  into,  messengers  from  corres- 
ponding associations  were  welcomed,  and  brought  tidings,  and 
preached  sermons,  and  encouraged  the  churches. 

In  1810,  they  began  to  confer  on  the  subject  of  forming  a 
Domestic  Missionary  Society  to  aid  in  securing  preaching  in  this 
region.  A  committee  was  appointed,  and  a  treasurer  to  receive 
and  manage  funds  contributed  for  the  purpose.  Generous  gifts 
were  made  for  several  years,  and  the  money  expended  in  supplying 
the  pastorless  churches  as  far  as  possible  with  preaching,  at  the 
cost  of  three  dollars  per  Sunday. 

Meanwhile  foreign  missions  began  to  attract  attention,  and 
funds  were  contributed  by  churches  and  individuals  for  that  pur- 
pose. One  item  in  the  account  for  1824,  is  ten  cents,  the  only 
property  of  a  little  son,  five  years  old,  who  died  October,  1823. 

Meanwhile  the  languishing  condition  of  the  churches  began  to 
awaken  alarm  in  the  minds  of  some,  and  the  Association  in  1833. 
passed  the  following:  "Resolved,  that  we  regard  with  deep  con- 
cern the  deplorable  destitution  of  ministers  in  the  churches  of 
this  Association,  and  having  no  prospect  of  a  greater  supply,  we  do 
consider  it  important  that  our  condition  be  represented  to  the 
Board  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention,  at  their  annual 
meeting  in  October  next,  with  a  request  that  said  board  appoint 
a  missionary  to  labor  within  the  bounds  of  this  Association  one 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  "187 

full  year."  At  the  same  time  measures  were  taken  to  raise  in  the 
Association  money  for  the  support  of  the  missionary  as  far  as 
possible. 

The  report  of  the  managers,  in  1836,  reveals  how  imperative 
was  the  need  of  the  Association  at  the  time  advance  steps  were 
taken,  and  the  success  of  the  new  measure.  The  report  is  as  fol- 
lows: "While  the  suspension  of  discipline  and  Gospel  order — the 
entire  absence  of  Sabbath  school  instruction,  and  of  pastoral  labor 
and  effort  to  procure  it,  and  the  tremulous  pulsation  of  most  of 
the  churches  in  this  Association,  giving  fearful  apprehensions  tor 
their  vitality — and  the  desecration  of  the  Lord's  Day,  and  lax, 
and  even  skeptical  sentiments,  were  affecting  our  youth  and  society, 
while  family  prayer  and  other  contracting  influences  were  faint 
and  few,  some  individuals  were  excited,  by  a  redeeming  spirit,  to 
propose  an  effort  to  obtain  a  missionary  for  the  Association. " 

Something  was  subscribed  and  a  committee  chosen  for  the 
purpose.  On  application  the  committee  appropriated  a  sum,  and 
chose  two  of  their  body  to  co-operate.  One  year  passed  by — the 
anxious  committee  inquired  and  looked  in  vain — the  praying  few 
still  cried  to  God,  between  the  porch  and  the  altar.  "  Spare  thy 
people,  Lord,  give  not  thy  heritage  to  reproach."  At  length  Bro- 
ther Willard  from  Massachusetts,  was  induced  to  undertake,  and 
after  nine  months  encouraging  labor,  subscriptions  were  increased, 
and  application  was  made  to  the  Convention  to  support  two 
missionaries  in  the  Association,  whicli  was  granted,  and  brother 
Root  obtained  as  an  associate. 

In  view  of  the  present  aspect  of  the  churches: 

"Resolved.  1.  That  there  is  cause  for  gratitude  to  God  for 
his  blessing  on  the  judicious,  persevering  labors  of  the  missionaries. 

''Resolved.  2.  That  the  baptism  of  forty  by  them  in  fellow- 
ship with  our  body,  and  the  accession  of  two  newly  organized 
churches, — the  settlement  of  three  ministers  by  ordination,  and  the 
promising  location  of  two  others,which  gives  pastors  to  six  churches, 
and  supply  of  six  other  churches  by  the  missionaries  one  week 
in  each  month,  besides  two  weeks  in  a  month  where  the  remnant 
of  three  churches  may  be  collected  for  pul^lic  worship,  furnishes 
evidence  of  the  benefit  of  missionarv  labor." 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  1832,  the  Association  attained  a  membership  of  six  hundred 
and  twenty-four,  which  was  to  be  its  record  mark  for  the  next 
seventy -five  years.  From  that  point  the  membership  fell  some- 
what rapidly  till  it  reached  its  lowest  point  in  1851,  when  it  num- 
bered two  hundred  and  seventy -three.  From  that  point  the 
general  movement  has  been  upward,  till  in  1912,  it  reached  its 
highest  mark,  seven  hundred  and  twenty -two. 

The  causes  of  continued  weakness  and  declension,  it  were 
better  to  let  the  Association  itself  state,  than  to  give  them  by 
inference  or  conjecture. 

A  note  in  the  minutes  of  1830,  reads:  "The  difficulties  and 
labors  and  discouraging  aspects  of  the  churches,  as  expressed  or 
alluded  to  in  their  letters,  is  chiefly  owing  to  the  alliance  of  Free 
Masonry  with  the  churches.  To  dissolve  or  break  this  connection 
appears  to  be  the  desire  and  prayer  of  all." 

In  1850,  the  committee  on  the  state  of  religion  reported: 

"The  state  of  religion  in  this  Association  presents  a  great 
moral  waste.  The  cause  of  Christ  has  in  a  great  measure,  lost  its 
strong  hold  on  the  affections  of  our  members,  and  spirituality  is 
dying  out  of  their  hearts.  The  administration  of  the  Word  and 
ordinances  is  enjoyed  by  none  of  our  churches  more  than  half  the 
time,  by  some  one-fourth,  and  by  a  number  not  at  all.  Our 
churches  are  as  sheep  scattered  upon  the  mountains;  the  watch- 
men are  left,  but  a  ^•ery  small  number.  Each  church  can  say  of  its 
own  condition,  'The  ways  of  Zion  mourn  because  few  come  to  her 
solemn  feasts.'  " 

The  report  the  next  year  was  in  the  same  vein. 

"Should  God  in  His  providence  remove  a  few  of  our  lal^ouring 
and  ])raying  brethren  from  these  feeble  churches  they  would  be 
unable  long  to  sustain  their  visibility;  and  even  the  Association 
itself  would  be  blotted  from  the  list  of  Associations  in  the  State." 

In  1855,  not  a  single  baptism  was  reported. 

In  1856,  John  Kyle  gave  as  a  few  of  the  hindrances:  "One, 
the  indisposition  of  Baptists  to  unite  with  churches  near  them. 
Living  at  a  distance  from  a  church  or  undervaluing  church  privileges 
they  do  not  transfer  their  membership.  Another  is  want  of  per- 
sonal effort,  the  demand  for  an  interesting  preacher,  etc.   x\nother, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  289 

the  spirit  of  covetousness.     To  these  remarks  there  are  very  honor- 
able exceptions." 

But  praying  men  and  women  have  not  been  wholly  lacking. 
The  Association  has  not  become  extinct.  Some  of  its  churches 
have  been  extinguished.  To  other  churches  times  of  refreshing 
have  come,  at  long  intervals,  indeed,  but  often  enough  to  prevent 
extinction.  Some  new  churches  have  been  built  up  and  after  de- 
pendence have  become  independent  and  even  strong,  notably  the 
churches  in  Montpelier  and  Barre. 

CHURCHES 

Sharon 

The  Sharon  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1792,  at  Beaver 
Meadows,  in  West  Norwich,  a  small  settlement  then  partly  in 
Sharon  and  partly  in  Norwich.  Meetings  were  held  at  various 
houses  and  barns.  Rev.  James  Parker  was  pastor  part  or  all  of 
the  time  from  1809  till  1838.  J.  Crowley,  1842-1845.  In  1797, 
the  membership  was  fourteen;  in  1802,  it  was  thirty.  The  largest 
membership  reported  was  in  1843-1844,  when  it  was  seventy. 
In  1869,  the  church  voted  to  hold  its  meetings  in  Sharon  village, 
one-half  the  time,  and  the  next  year  they  began  to  plan  for  a  house 
of  worship  there.  The  building  was  erected  and  the  vestr^^  oc- 
cupied in  May,  1872.  The  building  was  dedicated  the  next  Sep- 
tember, Rev.  Dwight  Spencer  preaching  the  dedication  sermon. 
The  church  has  never  been  a  strong  one,  financially , nor  numerically, 
but  has  striven  to  exert  a  spiritual  influence  and  to  make  known 
the  truth.  The  list  of  pastors  since  1868,  is  as  follows :  C.  D.  Fuller, 
1868;  A.  W.  Boardman,  1869-1870;  R.  Smith,  1871;  J.  S.  Small, 
1872-1873;  L.  B.  Steele,  1874-1881;  W.  J.  Smith,  1882;  H.  E. 
Robbins,  1883;  R.  S.  Cook,  1885-1886;  A.  Meyers,  1890;  H.  V. 
Baker,  1895-1898;  L.  B.  Steele,  1899-1903;  R.  M.  Bennett,  1907- 
1908. 

Barre 

In  May,  1888,  Rev.  Alexander  McGeorge,  State  Missionary, 
visited  Montpelier,  at  their  earnest  request.  He  found  that 
church  in  a  very  discouraged  state,  soon  after  the  resignation  of 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

their  pastor,  Rev.  E.  D.  Mason.  He  visited  every  Baptist  family 
in  the  place,  learned  that  once  there  was  a  Baptist  church  in 
Plainfield,  twelve  miles  away,  drove  there  and  found  all  the  Bap- 
tist families  that  were  left;  there  learned  of  Barre  and  visited  the 
place,  finding  quite  a  number  of  Baptist  families.  He  planned 
to  unite  all  these  people  into  one  Society  with  Montpelier  for  a 
center,  secure  a  strong  preacher,  and  get  them  on  a  self-supporting 
basis.  Mr.  McGeorge  was  welcomed  and  his  suggestions  promptly 
followed.  The  Methodist  church  opened  their  house  for  the 
first  Sunday  service.  Then  a  hall  was  hired,  a  Sunday  school 
organized,  and  a  beginning  made,  promising  well  for  the  future. 
The  Barre  people  were  eager  to  be  organized  at  once,  as  a  church ; 
this,  however,  was  temporarily  postponed.  July,  1889,  a  church, 
with  twenty-three  members,  was  organized  and  duly  recognized, 
August  7.  Rev.  G.  F.  Raymond,  pastor  of  the  Montpelier  church 
was  engaged  to  preach  everj'  Sunday  afternoon.  The  congrega- 
tion soon  increased  from  twenty -five  to  one  hundred  and  twenty- 
five.  The  next  year  the  Barre  church  entertained  the  Associa- 
tion.    Its  membership  had  increased  to  fifty-five. 

Rev.  P.  C.  Abby  was  called  to  the  pastorate  in  1891,  and 
began  at  once  an  aggressive  work.  The  church  prospered  and  in- 
creased in  membership  from  fifty-five  to  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
nine  before  the  close  of  this  pastorate,  in  1897.  They  began  to 
plan  for  a  meeting-house,  which  was  soon  erected  and  sufliciently 
completed  as  to  be  serviceable  in  1894. 

The  ncAv  church  edifice  was  planned  more  with  reference  to 
the  future  prospects  of  the  church  than  to  its  present  ability,  and 
the  debt  upon  it  soon  became  a  heavy  burden. 

Rev.  Edward  INI.  Fuller  was  next  called  to  the  pastorate. 
The  response  to  evangelistic  efforts  of  pastor  and  people  was  very 
encouraging.  The  membership  increased  to  two  hundred.  Sun- 
day school  work  was  specially  prosperous.  A  Baracca  class  of 
forty  members  and  a  Philathea  class  of  large  proportions  were 
organized;  mission  work  was  begun  at  East  Barre  and  Webster- 
ville. 

The  greatest  hindrance  to  the  development  of  the  church 
appeared  to  be  the  debt  on  the  church.     The  Convention  Board, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  291 

upon  the  receipt  of  the  Ford  Legacy,  in  1900,  appropriated  five 
thousand  dollars  to  apply  as  a  subscription  on  the  debt — on  con- 
dition that  the  church  secure  pledges  for  a  sufficient  sum  above  that 
amount  to  cancel  the  indebtedness.  The  church  met  the  con- 
ditions and  the  debt  was  cancelled.  Mr.  Fuller  resigned  in  1903, 
that  he  might  take  up  the  work  of  State  secretary  of  the  State 
Sunday  School  Association.  Rev.  W.  A.  Kinzie  became  pastor 
on  the  following  Sunday,  April  5,  and  remained  till  1907.  Evange- 
listic meetings  under  the  direction  of  Evangelist,  Rev.  E.  E. 
Davidson,  resulted  in  the  addition  of  thirty-seven  members  in 
1904.  At  the  close  of  this  pastorate  the  number  of  members  was 
two  hundred  and  fifty-six.  The  church  exercised  a  supervision 
to  some  extent  over  the  Italian  and  the  Swedish  missions  in  the 
city. 

In  1808,  William  E.  Braisted  became  pastor  and  entered 
upon  his  work  with  zeal.  Thirty -three  were  added  that  year  and 
twenty -nine  were  dismissed  to  form  the  new  church  in  Wehster- 
ville,  which  was  recognized  February  4,  1909. 

The  growth  of  the  church  has  continued  till,  in  1912,  it  num- 
bered three  hundred  and  two.  In  1910,  the  church  edifice  was  com- 
pleted by  a  granite  veneer,  greatly  improving  both  the  appearance 
and  the  permanence  of  the  .structure. 

Historical  Sketch  of  the  East  Bethel  Church 

{Taken  from  the  Centenary  Address  of  acting-pastor  J.  Wesley 
Miller,  1912) 

August  24,  1812,  a  g^-oup  of  Baptist  believers  of  the  vicinity  of 
East  Bethel,  gathered  at  the  home  of  Elisha  A.  Fowler  (the  present 
home  of  O.  F.  Godfrey),  and  agreeable  to  their  request  for  advice 
and  assistance  in  organizing  a  church,  were  met  by  Elder  James 
Parker  and  Brother  S.  Gould  from  Sharon;  Elder  Timothy  Grow 
and  Brothers  D.  Davidson  and  S.  Alfred  from  Hartland;  Elder 
Elijah  Huntington  from  Braintree,  and  Elder  Micaiah  Coburn 
from  Chelsea  and  Tunbridge.      They  organized  a  Baptist  church 


292  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

with  ten  original  members  as  follows:  Samuel  Peake,  Elisha  A. 
Fowler  and  his  wife,  Man%  Jacob  Lerned  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth, 
Leonard  Fisk,  Anne  Cole,  Lucy  Bradford,  Electra  Fowler  and 
Achsa  Tracy.  Samuel  Peake's  name  appears  in  the  charter  of 
the  town  of  Bethel,  the  first  granted  by  the  State  of  Vermont, 
under  date  of  December  23,  1779.  He  was  the  Baptist  leader  in 
Bethel  and  the  third  actual  settler  in  the  town. 

There  had  been  earlier  Baptist  organizations  in  this  part  of 
the  State.  The  Church  of  Christ  in  Randolph  and  Bethel,  called 
the  Second  Baptist  church  in  Randolph,  which  was  the  immediate 
predecessor  of  the  East  Bethel  church,  was  constituted  with  ten 
members  on  November  18,  1800.  Two  of  these  original  members, 
Deacon  Elisha  A.  Fowler  and  Anne  Cole,  later  became  members  of 
the  little  group  which  founded  the  East  Bethel  church.  The 
Randolph-Bethel  church  was  constituted  by  a  council  of  the  Bap- 
tist churches  in  Chelsea,  Braintree,  and  Randolph.  The  new  East 
Bethel  church  soon  became  the  successor  of  the  Royalton  church, 
and  in  all  probability  inherited  whatever  of  Baptist  interest  there 
had  previously  been  in  Bethel. 

Business  meetings  were  frequently  held  in  the  schoolhouse 
near  Marsh's  Mill  or  Bethel  center  village.  Sunday  services  were 
also  occasionally  held  in  that  village,  both  before  and  after  the 
erection  of  the  L^mon  brick  meeting-house,  now  the  Universalist 
church  liuilding.  It  is  of  interest  to  note  that  the  dedicatory 
sermon  at  the  opening  of  this  building  was  preached  December 
24,  1816,  by  the  Rev.  Aaron  Leland,  eminent  Baptist  minister  and 
later  lieutenant-governor  of  the  State. 

The  East  Bethel  church  appointed  a  meeting-house  society, 
February  10,  1824,  at  the  home  of  Deacon  Fowler,  where  nearly 
twelve  years  before  the  church  had  been  constituted.  Samuel 
Hebard  gave  the  building  site,  and  the  committee  was  instructed 
to  "hire  a  house  built  in  the  cheapest  and  best  manner  and  as 
large  as  money  can  be  raised  to  defray  the  expense  of."  On 
November  26,  1824,  the  committee  reported  the  completion  of  the 
present  structure  at  an  expense  of  one  thousand  and  sixty  dollars. 
Because  of  neglect,  the  building  had  to  undergo  extensive  repairs  in 
1861.     The  old  pews  were  removed  and  the  present  "slips"  substi- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  293 

tuted.  The  old  gallery  was  taken  down  and  a  low  gallery  placed 
between  the  two  entry  doors,  and  the  interior  generally  renovated. 
Fifteen  years  ago  the  low  gallery  was  removed  and  a  new  pulpit 
placed.  In  1910,  about  five  hundred  dollars  was  expended  by  the 
Ladies'  Aid  Society  in  putting  the  house  into  its  present  neat  and 
comfortable  condition.  During  the  year,  electric  lights  have  been 
installed  and  the  exterior  woodwork  refinished. 

The  first  pastor  to  hold  services  in  the  new  meeting-house 
was  Isaac  Sawyer,  who  stayed  three  years.  He  was  followed  by 
Willard  Kimball.  Then  came  Simeon  Chamberlain,  who  died 
after  only  one  year's  service.  In  1836,  Leonard  Kimball  was 
received  into  membership  by  letter  and  soon  ordained  as  minister. 
The  following  year,  one  Deacon  Orsemus  Blodgett,  was  given  a 
written  license  to  preach.  During  most  of  the  40's  and  50's  there 
was  almost  utter  stagnation  in  the  Baptist  ranks,  interest  centering 
in  the  Union  church  of  the  village. 

After  something  like  seventeen  years  of  recordless  sleep,  the 
Rev.  Austin  Norcross,  of  Derby,  was  settled  as  pastor  in  1859. 
He  proved  the  right  man  for  the  place  and  brought  the  church 
into  active  spiritual  life,  besides  carrying  thru  to  a  successful  issue 
the  extensive  repairs  and  improvements  upon  the  meeting-house 
undertaken  during  1861.  He  served  six  years,  being  followed  by 
the  Rev.  A.  N.  Woodruff.  During  the  year,  1867,  the  church  en- 
joyed its  greatest  revival  under  the  ministration  of  the  Rev.  Jona- 
than Tilson,  who  conducted  three  weeks  of  evangelistic  services. 
In  1868,  the  Rev.  Leonard  Tracy  returned  to  his  boyhood  church 
and  spent  the  last  two  years  of  his  ministry  as  its  pastor.  Two 
other  members  of  the  church  became  ministers,  Charles  B.  Turner 
and  Cyrus  Tucker. 

Mr.  Norcross  returned  to  his  former  field  in  1872  and  stayed 
two  years.  Then  George  B.  Wheeler  served  the  church  for  one 
year,  1878-1879,  and  in  April,  1882,  Ora  F.  Taylor  began  a  six-year 
pastorate,  he  being  the  last  resident  pastor  the  church  has  had. 
For  twenty-four  years  the  pulpit  has  been  supplied  and  more  or 
less  pastoral  work  done  by  temporary  supplies.  Indeed,  the  people 
have  had  many  supplies  during  the  one  hundred  years  of  their 
church  life.     For  the  past  five  years  the  church  has  enjoyed  the 


294  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

faithful  services  of  acting-pastor  Miller,  a  clergyman  of  the  Metho- 
dist faith.  There  has  been  a  recent  revival  of  spiritual  interest 
in  the  community  and  the  Baptist  people  are  looking  forward  with 
hope  to  a  union  pastorate  with  the  Free  Baptist  church  of  East 
Randolph. 

Groton 

Elder  James  Peacham  founded  the  Baptist  church  in  Groton 
in  1813.  The  constituent  members  were  Phoebe  Darling,  wife  of 
John  Darling;  Anna  Welch,  wife  of  Jonathan  Welch;  Edmund 
Welch  and  wife;  Sarah,  wife  of  Stephen  Welch;  Betsy  Morrison, 
wife  of  Bradburj"  Morrison;  John  Emery'  and  wife,  Sarah;  Mary, 
wife  of  James  Hooper;  Edmund  Morse;  Josiah  Paul  and  wife, 
Sarah.  Rev.  J.  Spaulding  was  one  of  the  earliest  ministers.  He 
was  on  this  field  in  1814.  In  1824,  Rev.  Otis  Robinson  was  in- 
stalled pastor,  and  for  a  number  of  years  the  church  prospered. 
But  at  length  trouble  arose;  Mr.  Robinson  became  deranged  and 
moved  away  and  the  church  received  a  shock  which  appeared  to 
take  its  life. 

In  1840,  however,  it  seems  to  have  been  resuscitated  and 
reported  to  the  Association  eleven  members.  There  was  an  in- 
crease for  several  years  until  the  number  reached  forty-two,  after 
which  came  another  period  of  decline.  Rev.  P.  W.  Fuller  closed 
a  pastorate  in  INIarch,  1868,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  T.  Wrinkle. 
In  the  third  and  last  year  of  his  pastorate,  nineteen  were  baptized 
and  two  received  by  letter,  the  membership  becoming  eighty -nine. 
Rev.  G.  Carpenter  was  pastor,  1872-1875.  In  1876,  thirteen  were 
added.  Rev.  W.  Crocker  served  in  1877-1878;  S.  F.  Dean,  1879- 
1880.  Rev.  Joseph  Freeman,  D.  D.,  was  engaged  in  1881,  and 
the  following  jear  twenty-one  were  received  by  baptism  and 
thirteen  ])y  letter.  After  Rev.  W.  Worthington  had  labored  one 
year,  1883,  Rev.  W.  G.  Clough  entered  upon  a  successful  pastorate 
of  three  years,  and  was  followed  by  Rev.  A.  N.  W^oodruff,  who 
remained  four  years  and  welcomed  thirty -three  by  baj)tisni.  The 
church  then  numbered  one  hundred  and  fourteen  members. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  295 

T.  C.  Souter  served  one  year.  There  were  l)ut  two  pastors 
in  the  next  decade,  Thomas  TelHer,  1894-1898,  and  G.  W.  Clough, 
second  pastorate,  1899-1905.  The  year,  1904,  was  one  of  deep 
sadness  on  account  of  prevaiUng  sickness  and  the  death  of  three 
prominent  members,  Martha  J.  Robinson,  widow  of  a  former 
pastor,  Mrs.  Mary  E.  Clough,  the  wife  of  Pastor  G.  W.  Clough, 
a  woman  greatly  beloved,  and  Brother  A.  H.  Ricker,  a  strong- 
support  of  the  church,  spiritually  and  financially. 

The  more  recent  pastors  have  been  H.  A.  Calhoun,  1906-1907; 
H.  S.  Meyers,  1908.  Another  strong  pillar  of  the  church  died  in 
1909,  Deacon  Jefferson  Renfrew,  who  perpetuated  his  influence 
for  the  church  by  a  bequest  of  one  thousand  dollars  in  trust  to 
the  State  Convention  for  the  benefit  of  the  Groton  church.  The 
year,  1911,  was  marked  by  the  ingathering  of  twenty-two  new 
members,  seventeen  by  baptism.  Present  membership,  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty. 

MONTPELIER 

Elder  Ziba  Wood  worth,  a  Free  Will  Baptist  minister,  was  a 
citizen  of  the  town  at  its  organization,  and  on  its  record  is  a  certif- 
icate of  his  good  standing  in  the  Baptist  church,  prior  to  his  resi- 
dence here.  He  was  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  who  had  been  des- 
perately wounded  at  Fort  Griswold.  He  was  chosen  in  1791,  when 
the  towm  was  organized.  From  about  1800,  Mr.  Woodworth  was 
in  the  habit  of  exhorting  as  occasion  offered,  and  in  1806,  was  or- 
dained and  preached  from  1806  till  1826.  Philip  Wheeler  is 
named  in  Walton's  Register  as  a  Baptist  preacher  in  1815  and  1816, 
and  again  in  1823  to  1825.  Also,  Samuel  Parker  from  1827  to  1832. 
A  Free  Will  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  1812,  according  to 
Rev.  I.  D.  Stewart's  History  of  The  Free  Will  Baptists.  In  1826, 
Elder  Morse  visited  Montpelier  and  found  there  the  remnants  of 
three  Baptist  churches  and  commenced  labor  with  the  central  one. 
Opposition  was  strong,  but  the  Lord  worked  with  him  and  several 
were  converted.  These,  with  such  as  came  from  the  old  churches, 
united  in  a  new  organization,  and  after  two  months  he  left  them  a 
promising  church  of  thirty-five  members.     Another  church  of  the 


296  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

same  denomination  was  organized  in  1840,  and  of  this  Elder  Kennis- 
ton  was  pastor  1840,  and  Zebina  Young  in  1841-1843.  Elder 
Jackson,  1849.  No  mention  is  made  of  these  churches  in  our 
Associational  minutes,  of  course,  but  these  early  churches  contri- 
buted their  part  to  \'ermont  Baptist  History'.  In  1854,  the  State 
Convention,  through  its  agent,  made  an  attempt  to  establish  Baptist 
work  in  Montpelier,  but  the  people  were  not  ready  to  co-operate 
and  the  effort  failed. 

The  present  church  in  Montpelier  was  organized  in  June, 
18f)5,  with  fourteen  jjersons,  five  of  whom  were  men.  Rev.  Rufus 
Smith,  State  Convention  agent,  was  elected  clerk  and  supplied 
the  pulpit  for  a  time.  The  first  services  were  held  in  the  Village 
Hall.  In  October,  180.5,  a  call  was  extended  to  Rev.  H.  D.  Hodge, 
but  he  declined.  In  February,  1866,  Rev.  N.  P.  Foster  was  called 
and  began  his  pastorate  the  October  following,  remaining  till  April, 
1869.  Eleven  had  been  added  before  this  ])astorate  and  seven- 
teen more  came  in  while  Mr.  Foster  was  there.  Services  con- 
tinued in  the  Village  Hall  for  a  few  months  and  then  were  held  in 
Freeman  Hall,  and  on  Novem))er  12,  1865,  they  began  in  the  Court 
House  where  they  continued  till  1868,  when  they  were  ordered  by 
the  Assistant  Judge  to  vacate  the  premises.  This  served  to  spur 
them  to  the  erection  of  ji  church  edifice  for  which  the  ground  was 
broken  JNIarch  23,  1886,  and  the  basement  put  into  use  the  follow- 
ing November,  though  there  were  no  windows  in  as  yet. 

The  church  had  W()rshij)ped  in  sixteen  different  rooms.  The 
cost  of  the  new  edifice  was  seventeen  thousand  dollars.  Dedicated 
January  29,  1873. 

The  church  has  been  served  by  the  following  pastors:  N.  P. 
Foster,  1868-1869;  Wm.  Fitz,  1870;  N.  N.  Glazier,  1871-1878;  H. 
A.  Rogers,  1879-1882;  E.  D.Mason,  1883-1887;  G.  F.  Raymond, 
1888-1890;  G.  D.  Webster,  1892-1894;  E.  B.  Earl,  1895;  W.  A. 
Davison,  1897-1899;  W.  J.  Clones,  1900-1903;  Guy  C.  Lamson, 
1904-1905;  A.  H.  Roberts,  1906;  H.  A.  Buzzell,  supply,  1907;  L.  J. 
Bamburg,  1908-1911;  I.  H.  Benedict,  1912. 

The  church  has  had  difficulties  to  overcome,  discouragements 
and  trials,  heavy  financial  burdens,  and  the  loss  of  members  by' 
death    and   removals,   but  it  courageously  continued  and  grew 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  297 

in  numbers  and  resources.  In  the  decade,  1870-1880,  its  member- 
ship more  than  doubled.  In  the  next  decade,  it  increased  fifty 
per  cent,  attaining  the  membership  of  one  hundred  and  forty-three. 
Careful  revision  of  the  roll  at  intervals  has  kept  the  total  number 
reported  reasonably  near  the  number  of  resident  members.  The 
church  has  a  fine  house  of  worship,  pleasantly  located,  and  has  an 
important  mission  in  the  Capital  city  of  the  State. 

Bearing  upon  the  early  religious  history  of  Montpelier  and 
indicating  how  strong  was  Baptist  influence  there  as  early  as  1817, 
is  an  extract  of  a  letter  from  "a  respectable  minister  in  Vermont 
to  one  of  the  editors  of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Maga- 
zine," dated,  Montpelier,  November  5,  1818.  The  fact  that  this 
letter  was  sent  to  the  Baj)tist  Magazine  is  the  ground  of  the  in- 
ference that  the  pastor  referred  to  was  either  Mr.  Wheeler  or  Mr. 
Woodworth. 

"Rev.  and  dear  Sir: — Having  occasion  to  be  present  at  the 
meeting  of  the  legislature  on  the  eighth  ult.,  I  send  you  the  follow- 
ing account.  The  day  the  assembly  met  was  remarkably  pleasant, 
the  concourse  great,  and  during  the  usual  religious  solemnities  the 
audience  was  solemn  and  attentive.  In  the  evening,  a  large  as- 
sembly convened  in  the  State  House  to  hear  a  discourse  from  Bro- 
ther E.  of  Rockingham.  After  the  exercises.  Rev.  Mr.  W.,  the 
worthy  minister  of  the  place,  arose,  and  noticed  the  great  advan- 
tages his  people  derived  two  years  ago  (a  time  of  reformation  in 
his  parish,  in  which  he  had  more  than  a  hundred  added  to  his 
church),  from  the  faithful  labors  of  his  christian  friends  on  the 
legislature,  in  conferences  and  other  meetings  during  the  session; 
and  he  solicited  the  same  faithful  services  during  their  continuance 
in  the  place. 

"Mr.  W.  has  a  number  of  conference  and  prayer  meetings  es- 
tablished, in  the  course  of  a  week  in  the  village,  which  are  well 
attended  by  his  own  people,  and  by  many  of  the  legislature.  On 
Sabbath  evening,  conference  is  attended  in  the  State  House  and 
even  since  the  legislature  has  been  in  session,  on  that  evening  the 
house  has  been  crowded.  Men  of  various  ranks  come  forward,  and 
pray  and  exhort  with  great  fervor.  On  one  of  these  evenings,  when 
gentlemen  from  every  part  of  the  State  were  gathered,  the  scene 


298  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

became  highly  interesting,  although  a  time  of  no  special  revival 
of  religion.  I  was  filled  with  admiration  to  hear  the  prayers  and 
exhortations  of  Comicillors,  Representatives,  Secretary  of  State, 
Judges  of  Courts  and  from  some  of  the  ablest  attorneys  in  the 
State.  None  appeared  to  speak  for  the  sake  of  making  a  \'ain 
show,  but  from  the  heart,  wath  great  solemnity  and  in  gospel 
simplicity.  There,  then,  was  the  cross  of  Christ,  the  dangerous 
state  of  the  unregenerate  man,  the  necessity  of  a  new  heart  and 
of  a  holy  life;  the  great  obligation  of  professors  to  Uveas  examples 
to  others,  and  the  importance  of  all  being  prepared  for  a  day  of 
judgment.  I  said  to  myself,  can  these  be  members  of  a  State 
Legislature  where  the  intrigues  of  worldly  policy  and  a  contempt 
of  the  humiliating  doctrines  of  Christ  are  supposed  to  prevail? 
His  Excellency,  the  Governor,  and  his  Honor,  the  Lieutenant-Gov- 
ernor (J.  Galusha  and  Paul  Brigham),  appear  to  be  men  of  christian 
sobriety,  who  instead  of  effecting  a  kind  of  courtly  hauteur  are 
punctual  when  official  duties  will  permit,  in  attending  these  devo- 
tional meetings  as  well  as  the  regular  worship  on  the  Lord's  Day. 
In  this  venerable  body  a  person  is  not  under  necessity  of  con- 
cealing his  religion  to  be  respected,  but  such  is  the  happy  in- 
fluence of  the  Gospel  in  this  Legislature  that  a  man  of  undoubted 
piety  is  sure  to  be  esteemed  on  that  account." 

Randolph 

This  church  is  emphatically  a  child  of  the  Convention.  In 
1874,  Rev.  J.  H.  Parmelee,  under  the  direction  of  the  Board,  began 
his  labors  in  Central  Vermont  and  in  June,  of  that  year,  began  to 
preach  in  West  Randolph.  Meetings  were  held  in  Academy  Hall. 
Mr.  Parmelee  closed  his  work,  January  1, 1876,  and  April  l,Rev. 
D,  C.  Bixby  took  uj)  the  work.  At  a  meeting  of  the  Baptists  of 
the  place,  May  8,  1876,  the  First  Baptist  church  of  West  Ran- 
dolph, was  organized,  with  twenty -five  members.  It  was  recognized 
as  a  regular  Baptist  church  by  a  council  held  in  June,  and  the 
next  day  was  formally  received  into  the  Association,  which  met  at 
Sharon.  In  1877,  a  lot  was  secured,  under  the  lead  of  Col.  J.  J. 
Estey,  and  a  chapel  was  completed  and  the  property  deeded  to 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  299 

the  church  in  June,  1880,  with  a  mortgage  of  one  thousand  dollars 
on  the  lot.  Mr.  Robert  J.  Kimball,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  now  came 
to  the  assistance  of  the  church  and  offered  to  complete  the  edifice 
and  let  the  members  put  in  their  efforts  to  clear  off  the  mortgage. 
Mrs.  Kimball  put  in  the  baptisterA\  Mrs.  A.  R.  Lounsbury  gave 
the  chandelier.  Deacon  W.  B.  Chandler  gave  the  pulpit.  Mrs. 
E.  R.  DuBois  gave  the  Bible.  A  memorial  bell  was  given  by 
Wm.  H.  DuBois  for  his  wife,  a  member.  The  dedication  services 
took  place  September  1,  1881. 

The  pastors  have  been  as  follows:  J.  S.  Goodall,  1878-1882; 
J.  A.  Pierce,  1883-1891;  S.  Robson,  1891-1896;  T.  A.  Howard, 
1897-1901;  Brown  E.  Smith,  1902-1903;  Samuel  Knowles,  1904- 
1906;  W.  H.  Hamilton,  1908;  J.  Wallace  Chesboro,  1910-1911. 

In  1810,  this  church  federated  with  the  Methodist  church  in 
the  place. 

Some    Extinct    Churches. — Vermont    Central    Association 

Braintree 

Church  organized  March  5,  1799.  First  pastor.  Rev.  Elijah 
Huntington,  who  was  ordained  June  18,  1800,  and  labored  here 
till  his  death  in  1828.  The  meeting-house  was  built  in  the  summer 
of  1815.  After  the  death  of  Mr.  Huntington,  the  church  had  no 
pastor  for  over  twenty  years  and  preaching  only  occasionally. 
The  church  became  much  reduced,  and  in  a  poor  condition,  when 
Rev.  J.  Tilson,  who  was  born  in  Randolph  and  spent  his  early 
days  in  this  vicinity,  came  on  to  the  field  and  began  to  work  for 
the  upbuilding  of  the  church.  This  was  in  1859.  The  church, 
encouraged  by  his  efforts,  called  as  pastor,  Rev.  H.  D.  Hodge, 
who  remained  seven  years.  The  church  increased  from  sixteen 
to  seventy-six.  This  is  the  largest  number  in  the  history  of  the 
church.  The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1859,  when  the 
church  was  revived.  For  a  number  of  years,  this  was  the  strong- 
est church  in  the  Association.  But  in  the  seventies,  a  decline  set 
in  from  which  the  church  never  rallied.  The  report  from  the 
church  in  1904  showed  four  members  remaining. 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  name  of  the  church  disappeared  from  the  minutes  from 
this  time  till  1812.  During  the  year  previous,  Rev.  J.  W.  Chesboro, 
of  Randolph,  conducted  services  nearly  every  Sunday,  and  was 
assisted  by  Colporteur  Watt  in  a  series  of  meetings.  Eight  were 
baptized,  and  the  name  of  the  church  is  again  enrolled  with  eleven 
members,  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Mr.  Chesboro. 

The  influence  of  the  little  church  is  not  confined  co  the  town 
of  Braintree,  for  there  ha\e  gone  out  from  it  a  number  of  strong 
preachers,  among  whom  are  Rev.  Joseph  Huntington,  Rev.  Ado- 
niram  J.  Huntington,  D.  D.,  Professor  in  Columbia  College,  Jona- 
than Tilson,  and  Wheelock  Parmelee,  D.  D.,  once  pastor  at  Jersey 
City,  N.  J. 

Calais 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  here  in  1810.  A  reference 
to  it,  in  an  account  of  a  visit  by  one  of  the  Massachusetts  Mission- 
ary Society  missionaries  in  1810,  says  it  had  a  membership  of  about 
twenty-eight  at  that  time.     We  ha\'e  no  further  knowledge  of  it. 

Corinth 

Organized  in  1783.  In  1795,  Thomas  West  was  pastor  and 
the  membership  was  eighty-eight.  It  was  not  in  the  list  of  the 
Association  in  1810. 

Barre  and  Plainfield 

A  record  book  is  perserved  of  a  church  organized  August  30, 
1838,  at  the  home  of  Elder  Lyman  Culver.  Three  ministers  were 
present,  James  Parker,  Lyman  Culver  and  Friend  Blood.  The 
chief  point  in  the  examination  of  members  seems  to  have  been  the 
communion  question.  The  Articles  of  Faith  of  the  Danville 
Association  were  adopted.  The  original  members  of  this  church 
were  Barnabas  Webb,  Jacol)  Perkins,  Elijah  Perry,  Reuben  Nichols, 
David  Reed,  Rhoda  Reed,  Hannah  Peck,  Sarah  Webb,  Abigail 
Stone.     Besides  these  nine  original  members,  the  record  contains 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  301 

the  names  of  ele^•en  men  and  eleven  women.  In  the  twelve  meet- 
ings recorded,  delegates  were  chosen  to  represent  the  church  in  the 
Association,  three  different  years.  In  1851,  one  of  these  delegates 
was  Rev.  Friend  Blood.  As  there  is  only  one  Plainfield  church 
reported  in  the  minutes,  this  church  must  have  been  a  successor  to, 
or  a  reorganization  of,  the  Plainfield  church,  organized  at  a  school- 
house  in  1809. 

IVLVRSHFIELD 

The  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Marshfield  in  1833. 
For  several  years  it  is  reported.  In  1834,  it  had  thirty-four  mem- 
bers. The  membership  remained  about  the  same  for  some  years. 
There  was  another  Baptist  church  in  the  town  of  Plainfield  and 
in  1852,  the  two  united  under  the  name  of  Plainfield  and  Marsh- 
field  church.  Thus  ended  the  separate  existence  of  the  Marshfield 
church. 

Plainfield 

The  Baptist  church  was  organized  October  17,  1809,  at  the 
schoolhouse  near  Deacon  James  Perry's  (south  district). 

The  members  were  James  Boutwell  and  wife,  who  withdrew 
from  the  Congregational  church  for  that  purpose,  Jacob  Perkins, 
Stephen  Perkins,  and  his  wife,  Nancy;  John  Bancroft,  and  his  wife, 
Phoebe.  Elder  Jabes  Cottle  and  Elder  Elijah  Huntington  were 
the  clergymen  present.  At  the  next  meeting  Philip  Wheeler 
made  a  profession  of  religion,  and  joined  the  church.  He  became 
pastor  afterward,  living  near  the  center  of  INIontpelier,  but  in  1826, 
sold  his  farm,  and  a  house  was  built  for  him  near  the  Plainfield 
Springs.  In  a  few  years  after  this,  Stephen  Perkins  refused  to 
commune  for  the  reason  that  Elder  Wheeler  had  said,  "that  he 
would  not  baptize  a  person  that  he  knew  intended  to  join  another 
church."  Soon  after  this,  he  and  his  brother,  Jonathan,  withdrew 
from  the  church.  The  result  of  this  dissension  was  that  Elder 
Wheeler  soon  closed  his  pastoral  labor  with  this  church,  and  re- 
moved into  Marshfield,   one-half  mile  east  of  Plainfield  village, 


302  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

where  he  died.  After  Elder  Wheeler's  dismissal  they  were  sup- 
plied at  intervals  by  different  clergymen,  none  of  them  living  in 
town  l)ut  Friend  Blood.  In  1840,  the  church  had  twenty -eight 
members,  but  the  numbers  decreased  until  there  were  only  sixteen 
left,  when  the  church  united  with  the  Marshfield  church,  in 
1852,  to  form  the  Plainfield  and  Marshfield  church.  Walton's 
Vermont  Register  gives  Rev.  Jonathan  Kinne,  as  residing  in 
Plainfield  in  1819,  1821,  and  1827-1829. 

Plainfield  and  Marshfield 

This  church  was  organized  in  1852  by  a  union  of  the  Marsh- 
field with  the  Plainfield  church.  Abram  Bedell  became  pastor 
and  resided  in  Plainfield.  The  Methodist  church  edifice  was  pur- 
chased, removed  toward  the  depot  on  the  lot  once  owmed  by 
Emmons  Taft,  and  repaired.  Three  years  later  the  report  to  the 
Convention  showed  an  attendance  at  the  services  of  forty-five  to 
seventy-five,  and  a  Sunday  school  of  fifty  members.  They  also 
report  at  this  time  that  they  are  settling  up  the  last  of  their  debt. 
In  1856,  this  was  the  strongest  church  in  the  Association.  Other 
ministers  preaching  here  are  Elder  Kelton,  S.  A.  Blake,  N.  W. 
Smith  and  Theron  Clement.  The  church  was  reported  to  the 
Association  until  1897,  when  there  were  three  members.  These 
were  Mr.  James  Perry,  of  Barre;  Mr.  Jeremy  Chamberlain,  and 
Mrs.  A.  Betsy  Taft.  of  Plainfield  village.  The  pastor  of  the  Barre 
church  held  a  service  with  them  in  the  home  of  Mrs.  Taft  in  the 
fall  of  1906. 

RoxBURY,  East  and  West 

There  have  been  two  Baptist  churches  in  this  town,  one  in 
the  east  and  one  in  the  west  part  of  the  town.  The  East  Roxbury 
church  was  organized  in  1834,  and  reported  to  the  Association  in 
1835,  that  it  had  eighteen  mem])ers.  It  seems  never  to  have 
flourished,  but  gradually  decreased,  until  in  1846,  it  had  only  twelve 
members,  after  which  there  is  no  rejiort  from  them. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  303 

In  the  west  part  of  the  towTi,  Baptists  began  to  settle  very- 
early.  Deacon  Samuel  Richardson  came  into  town  in  1790.  He 
was  a  deacon  in  the  Congregational  church  and  his  wife  was  a 
Baptist.  One  reason  assigned  for  his  coming  into  this  town  w^as. 
that  when  the  bass  viol  was  carried  into  the  church  in  Randolph, 
it  was  more  than  his  orthodox  nerves  could  stand  and  he  preferred 
primeval  forests,  "God's  owti  temple",  with  the  birds  to  sing 
anthems  of  praises,  and  no  profane,  new  fangled  instruments, 
made  by  the  hand  of  man,  with  which  to  worship  God  for  him. 
Another  early  settler  was  William  Gold,  a  deacon  of  a  Baptist 
church,  who  came  to  Roxbury  in  1801.  We  find  no  evidence  that 
a  Baptist  church  was  organized  here  till  1830.  Five  years  later 
it  reported  twenty -fi\e  members,  which  is  the  largest  number  showm 
in  the  reports.  Rev.  S.  Willard,  a  missionary  of  the  State  Con- 
vention, visited  the  church  in  1835  and  baptized  two  young  married 
couples,  and  broke  bread  to  fifteen  members  and  an  equal  number 
of  visitors.  At  his  suggestion,  a  deacon  was  elected  and  arrange- 
ments made  to  settle  a  pastor.  Rev.  Lyman  Culver  was  called  and 
soon  after  was  ordained.  Other  ministers,  who  preached  here  were 
Rev.  Friend  Blood,  and  Rev.  Jehiel  Clafiin.  A  strife  arose  between 
the  Baptists  and  the  Congregationalists  concerning  the  ministerial 
land,  the  result  of  which  was  injury  to  the  Baptist  church. 

This  was  only  one  of  the  causes.  Another  may  have  been 
the  fact,  that  a  good,  old  Baptist  lady  was  "  churched  "  for  commun- 
ing with  the  Methodists,  and  with  several  others  soon  left  the 
Baptists  and  united  with  the  Congregationalists,  which  church  was 
organized  in  1837,  and  included  in  its  membership  what  remained 
of  the  Methodists,  along  with  this  group  of  Baptists.  The  last 
report  from  this  church  in  the  Convention  minutes  is  in  1846, 
when  it  had  twenty-four  members.  In  1849,  those  members  re- 
maining joined  vnXh  the  Baptists  of  Northfield,  in  an  organization 
known  as  the  Northfield  and  Roxbury  church,  which  continued  in 
existence  until  1863. 

The  following  incident  is  on  record  concerning  the  Roxbury 
church.  One  great  revival  was  brought  about  in  this  manner. 
A  little  girl  overheard  her  mother  and  a  neighbor  talking  of  the 
necessity  for  a  christian  life  and  the  beauty  and  purity  of  a  true 


304  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

christian  character,  and  was  so  deeply  impressed  that  she  went 
to  praying  earnestly  in  secret,  and  came  out  a  shining  light,  lead- 
ing others  of  her  companions  to  go  and  do  likewise,  until  it  spread 
into  the  most  extended  revival  ever  knowm  in  town. 

TOPSHAM 

The  Baptist  church  in  West  Topsham  is  nearly  contemporary 
with  the  first  settlements  in  that  town,  and  was  organized  in  1801, 
with  six  members.  The  next  two  years  were  years  of  prpsperity 
to  the  church,  and  at  the  close  of  1803  there  were  about  sixty 
members.  They  remained  without  a  pastor  till  August  13,  1806, 
when  Elder  Ebenezer  Sanborn  was  ordained  and  settled  over  the 
church,  becoming  their  pastor,  which  relation  he  held  till  1823. 
During  the  latter  part  of  Elder  Sanborn's  ministry,  owdng  to  out- 
side influences,  the  church  gradually  diminished  in  numbers  until  it 
became  nearly  extinct,  although  there  were  some  influential  mem- 
bers of  the  church  remaining,  who,  in  1834,  met  and  reorganized, 
at  which  time  Rev.  Friend  Blood  became  their  pastor,  and  re- 
mained as  such  ten  years,  after  which  the  church  was  supplied 
with  preaching  by  Rev.  J.  Clement  and  Rev.  John  Kyle,  until  Jan- 
uary, 1858.  Rev.  N.  W.  Smith  then  became  their  pastor,  in  w^hich 
capacity  he  remained  until  his  death  in  July,  1863,  after  which 
time  they  had  no  pastor  but  were  supplied  with  preaching  from 
different  sources  for  some  years.  The  number  of  members  gradu- 
ally decreased  until,  in  1880,  the  church  disappeared  from  the 
Association  records. 

East  Topsham 

There  was  also  a  Baptist  church  in  East  Topsham  for  a  few 
years.  It  was  first  reported  in  the  Convention  minutes  in  1859, 
when  it  had  twenty-one  members.  Tor  the  next  five  years,  the 
report  shows  that  the  membership  remained  stationary  at  twenty, 
and  then  for  three  years  it  was  given  as  sixteen,  after  which  there 
is  no  further  report. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  305 


Brooblfield 

The  Convention  minutes  of  1835  report,  "two  other  new  socie- 
ties have  been  organized  in  Chelsea  and  Brookfield,  which  are 
doing  well.  At  the  growing  village  of  Brookfield,  your  missionary 
spent  two  Lord's  days.  On  the  last  he  administered  the  ordinances 
of  baptism,  under  very  encouraging  circumstances.  Brethren 
from  the  adjoining  towns  were  present,  and  the  Lord  was  with  us. 
Tliirty-two  dollars  is  subscribed,  on  condition  of  having  monthly 
preaching  on  Lord's  days  in  this  place."  This  church  is  reported 
in  the  Convention  minutes  from  1842  to  1867.  The  largest 
number  of  members  is  in  1843,  when  thirty-nine  were  reported. 
There  was  a  gradual  decrease  until  the  last  report,  in  1867,  which 
showed  only  four.  Brookfield  has  given  at  least  two  men  to  the 
Baptist  ministry;  Elder  Samuel  Hovey,  who  was  ordained  at 
Chelsea,  in  1798,  and  Rev.  Horace  N.  Hovey. 

Bradford 

A  Congregational  church  was  organized  in  1795  or  1796. 
About  the  same  time  a  Calvinistic  Baptist  church  was  formed  and 
built  a  meeting-house  and  were  supporting  a  minister  entirely  at 
their  own  expense.  There  was  much  discussion  who  should  have 
the  ministerial  lands.  It  was  compromised  by  giving  two  hundred 
acres  to  the  Congregational  pastor  and  one  hundred  acres  to  the 
committee  of  the  Baptist  church.  Both  deeds  were  made  out  by 
the  selectmen  on  the  same  day,  August  4,  1796.  This  society,  in 
the  course  of  a  few  years,  became  extinct.  Their  meeting-house, 
which  stood  in  close  proximity  to  the  cemetery  on  the  upper  plain, 
on  the  north  side  of  the  same,  after  standing  for  a  long  time  desolate, 
was  taken  down,  and  the  land  which  had  been  apportioned,  or 
rather  the  consideration  for  which  it  was  sold,  is  now  in  possession 
of  another  society  called  Christian  Baptists,  or  Christians  in  quite 
a  different  part  of  the  town,  and  used  for  the  support  of  their 
ministry'. 


306  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


ROYALTON 

Organized  in  1784.  In  1810,  it  reported  fourteen  members. 
It  was  given  in  the  list  of  the  Woodstock  Association  in  1791,  with 
fifty-seven  members.  The  membership  remains  the  same  in  the 
1800  report,  but  in  1801  and  1802  it  is  reduced  to  twenty -nine 
members ;  and  in  1804,  to  sixteen  members.  Regarded  as  extinct  in 
1807. 

Rochester 

The  Convention  minutes  of  1830  tell  us  that,  "In  Rochester 
a  new  church  has  been  formed  out  of  the  remains  of  an  old  one, 
which  had  lost  its  visibility."  This  church  is  reported  in  the 
Convention  minutes  in  1835,  with  twenty -four  members,  in  1836; 
with  thirty-two,  in  1839;  and  1841,  with  twenty-seven.  It  is  not 
reported  again  and  is  regarded  as  extinct  in  1843.  Rev.  Artemas 
Arnold  preached  here  in  1836. 

Stockbridge 

Organized  in  1820,  received  in  the  Barre  Association  in  1822. 
Reported  in  Convention  minutes  from  1836-1846,  with  member- 
ship varying  from  twenty-seven  to  twenty-four.  Became  extinct 
about  1847. 

Warren 

As  early  as  1810,  there  was  a  Baptist  church  in  Warren. 
That  year  it  reported  fifteen  members.  No  further  information 
available. 

Randolph  and  Bethel 

Organized  November,  1800,  and  composed  of  members  re- 
siding in  Randolph,  Tunbridge  and  East  Bethel.  The  church 
never  had  a  meeting-house,  but  their  pubhc  meetings  were  held  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  307 

Randolph  and  mostly  at  what  is  now  called  Painesville,  in  the 
house  or  barn  of  Samuel  Benedict.  Among  the  members  residing 
in  Randolph  were,  S.  Benedict,  Deacon  Bezaleel  Davis,  William 
Ramsay,  John  Evans,  William  and  Thomas  Perkins.  In  June, 
1801,  W.  Ramsay  was  ordained  pastor.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
years,  however,  he  proved  himself  unworthy  his  position  as  a 
preacher,  and  even  as  a  church  member.  He  became  publicly 
vicious,  and  finally  absconded  and  was  never  afterwards  heard 
from  by  the  friends  here.  Previous  to  leaving,  however,  he  had 
not  failed  to  create  such  division  in  the  church  as  resulted  in  its 
dissolution,  after  an  existence  of  less  than  seven  years.  The  pres- 
ent church  in  East  Bethel  embraced  in  its  origin  in  1812,  many  of 
the  former  members  of  the  Randolph  and  Bethel  church. 


NORTHFIELD 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  Northfield,  in  1794.  Little 
information  can  be  gathered  concerning  it.  In  1844  and  1845,  it 
reported  a  membership  of  seventeen.  It  reorganized,  in  connection 
with  the  Roxbury  church,  in  1849.  The  membership,  witlrthe  two 
fields  combined,  was  then  but  twenty-five,  and  seems  never  to 
have  exceeded  twenty-eight.  It  gradually  decreased,  till  in  1863 
it  was  but  thirteen.     Its  name  then  disappeared  from  the  records. 


McIndoes  Falls 

Organized  in  1853,  came  into  the  Barre  Association  that  year 
with  sixteen  members.  In  their  report  to  the  Convention  the 
next  year,  they  say  that  they  have  preaching  half  the  time  by 
Brother  Renfrew,  a  licentiate  of  the  church,  and  that  the  congrega- 
tions are  from  fifty  to  seventy-five,  with  a  Sunday  school  of  about 
forty.  They  had  no  meeting-house.  They  are  reported  in  the 
Convention  minutes  for  five  years  and  then  disappear.  The 
largest  membership  was  twenty-one,  in  1854. 


308  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Washington 

In  1804,  a  church,  under  the  name  of  The  Washington 
church,  united  with  the  Woodstock  Association,  with  twenty- 
three  members.  Delegates  were  sent  in  1807,  1808  and  1810. 
These  were  Thomas  Murdough,  Benjamin  Smith,  Fisher  Gay, 
WiUiam  Ayer,  Abel  Severance  and  Caleb  Woodward.  The  name 
disappears  from  the  minutes  after  1810. 

Lyme 

The  minutes  of  1810,  give  the  Lyme  church  as  belonging  to 
the  Barre  Association.  It  was  dropped  in  1814,  to  join  the  Mere- 
dith, N.  H.,  Association. 

Kingston  was  added  to  the  Barre  Association  in  1819  and 
dropped  in  1830. 

WlLLL^MSTOWTSr 

The  first  ecclesiastical  organization  in  this  town  was  the 
Baptists,  as  showni  from  the  Town  Records:  "October  2,  1794. 
This  certifieth  that  Abner  Wise,  James  Paul,  Seth  Jones,  Ezeliel 
Robinson,  Amos  Robinson,  James  Thwing,  Waterman  Gould, 
Benson  Jones,  Samuel  Pierce,  Enos  Briggs,  Moses  Jeffords,  and 
Calvin  Briggs  belongeth  to  the  Baptist  Society  in  Williamstown 
and  Northfield.  Cornelius  Lynd,  Town  Clerk."  The  first  Bap- 
tist sermon  is  said  to  have  been  preached  by  Samuel  Hovey,  an 
itinerant  preacher.  In  1816,  they  built  a  meeting-house  in  the 
east  part  of  the  town,  on  what  is  still  knowai  as  Baptist  street.  For 
a  time,  the  society  was  in  a  flourishing  condition,  being  as  large  as 
any  in  town.  The  pulpit  was  supplied  by  men  who  labored 
zealously;  but  after  more  than  thirty  years  from  its  organization, 
the  society  became  so  broken  and  divided  in  views,  that  it  was 
dropped  from  the  Association  in  1824.  It  reappears  in  1833,  and 
is  reported  to  be  in  a  prosperous  condition.  In  1835,  Rev.  Ben- 
jamin Willard,  an  evangelist,  employed  by  the  State  Convention, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  309 

labored  on  this  field  and  a  spiritual  interest  developed,  and  fifteen 
were  baptized.  There  were  sixty-six  members  at  that  time.  In 
1839,  they  built  a  new  meeting-house  and  Joseph  Huntington  was 
ordained  as  pastor.  He  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Friend  Blood. 
At  least  two  other  ministers  were  ordained  by  this  church,  Rev, 
Sherburn  Dearbourn  and  Rev.  Joseph  S.  Small. 

The  largest  membership  ever  reported  was  in  1842,  which  was 
ninety-seven.  After  this  the  church  gradually  declined  till  it 
dropped  from  the  reports  in  1880. 

Chelsea  and  Tunbridge 

A  Baptist  church  was  organized  in  the  town  of  Chelsea  in  1795, 
and  united  with  the  Woodstock  Association  in  1797,  with  sixteen 
members.  As  early  as  1800,  it  was  known  as  the  Chelsea  and 
Tunbridge  church  and  at  that  date  had  a  membership  of  fifty-one. 
It  was  dropped  from  the  Barre  Association  in  1819,  for  "having 
lost  its  former  visibility. "  It  reappears  in  1823,  but  soon  became 
disorganized  again.  The  Convention  minutes  report  in  1835, 
"Two  other  new  churches  have  been  organized  in  Chelsea  and 
Brookfield."  Probably  the  one  in  Chelsea  was  a  reorganization 
of  the  old  Chelsea  and  Tunbridge  church,  for  in  the  statistical 
tables  for  that  and  the  succeeding  years,  it  appears  under  the  name 
of  the  Chelsea  and  Tunbridge  church.  It  never  gained  much 
strength.     In  1846,  it  reported  thirteen  members. 

The  town  of  Tunbridge  had  a  meeting-house,  concerning  the 
building  of  which  two  curious  votes  appear  in  the  town  records. 
One  was  directing  a  committee  to  clear  a  spot  for  the  meeting- 
house by  making  a  bee,  and  to  find  rum  at  the  town's  expense; 
the  other,  "Voted  to  raise  the  house  at  the  expense  of  the  town, 
only  the  committee  were  to  find  two  barrels  of  rum  out  of  the 
meeting-house  fund. "  The  rum  project  failed  and  it  was  a  hard 
and  long  struggle  before  the  house  was  completed. 

Strafford 

About  1790,  a  farm  hand,  named  Robert  Dickey,  began  to 
exhort  the  people  in  his  neighborhood,  in  the  town  of  Strafford, 


310  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  soon  thirty  people  were  converted.  Calvinistic  articles  of 
faith  were  presented  and  tacitly  received  and  a  church  organized. 
The  following  year  there  was  a  contest  between  the  Calvinistic 
Baptists  and  the  Free  Baptists,  which  divided  the  church;  ten 
going  with  the  Calvinistics  and  fifteen  with  the  Free  Baptists. 
The  former  organization  was  soon  dissolved,  and  the  Free  Bap- 
tists have  occupied  the  field  since  and  have  there  a  flourishing 
church. 

Vershire 

The  Vershire  church  was  organized  September  6,  1852. 
John  Kyle  was  its  first  pastor.  Samuel  Maltby,  the  first  deacon. 
The  growth  of  the  church  was  slow  for  a  number  of  years,  but  in 
the  winter  of  1866  and  1867,  there  was  a  revival  and  in  the  spring 
following,  thirteen  were  received  upon  profession  of  their  faith. 
At  this  time  the  society  entirely  rebuilt  their  house  of  worship, 
expending  nearly  fifteen  hundred  dollars.  In  1867,  a  commodious 
parsonage  was  finished.  The  pastor's  salary  at  this  time  was 
four  hundred  dollars,  wood  and  parsonage.  Rev.  J.  K.  Chase 
was  pastor.  Subsequent  pastors  were  S.  S.  White,  1871-1875; 
E.  P.  Merrifield,  1875-1877;  G.  F.  Pay,  1878-1879;  H.  C.  Robbins, 
1880-1882;  L.  B.  Steele,  1883-1885;  J.  W.  Merrill,  1886.  The 
prospect  for  this  church  about  1870,  was  that  it  might  become  one 
of  the  most  flourishing  Baptist  churches  in  the  State. 

But  shortly  after,  a  decline  began  from  which  there  was  no 
rallying  and  the  church  became  extinct  about  1888. 

Mr.  Kinzie,  in  his  account  of  the  church  in  1907,  says:  "The 
church  building  is  still  Baptist  property,  but  is  being  used  by  the 
Congregationalists.     There  is  no  one  left  to  transfer  the  title." 

Thetford 

There  is  some  doubt  how  many  Baptist  church  organizations 
there  have  been  in  this  towai.  A  church  was  formed  there  in  1783. 
In  1791,  it  was  a  member  of  the  Woodstock  Association  with 
thirteen  members.      Nine  years   later   it   had   fifteen   members. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  311 

This  church  seems  to  have  united  with  the  Baptists,  hving 
in  the  town  of  Fairlee,  to  form  the  Thetford  and  Fairlee 
church.  This  organization  was  affected  at  various  times  before 
it  became  somewhat  permanent,  in  1792,  1799,  and  1808. 
It  continued  under  this  name  until  1841,  when  its  territory  is 
again  enlarged  and  it  became  the  Thetford,  Fairlee  and  Vershire 
church.  In  1852,  it  is  called  the  Post  Mills  church.  This  name 
holds  till  1856;  then  called  the  Post  Mills  and  Vershire,  and  later 
becomes  the  Thetford  and  Fairlee  church.  It  did  not  change  its 
name  again,  but  continued  to  grow  feeble  until  its  death  in  1880. 
The  largest  membership  was  in  1835  and  1836,  when  it  was  one 
hundred  and  six.  Among  the  early  ministers  of  this  church  were 
Simon  Spaulding,  Timothy  Spaulding,  Perkins  Huntington  and 
Artemas  Arnold. 

Union  Village  (Thetford) 

The  Union  Village  church  was  organized  in  1837,  and  came 
into  the  Association  with  twenty -three  members.  It  reached  its 
highest  strength  the  next  year,  when  it  reported  twenty-eight 
members.  After  this  it  loses  strength,  till  it  disappears  from  the 
list  of  churches  in  1847. 


Chapter  XVIII 

CALEDONIA  AND  ORLEANS  COUNTIES 
DANVILLE  ASSOCIATION 

The  district  included  in  the  Danville  Association  was  at  an 
early  period  distinctly  missionary  ground.  It  was  the  Macedonia 
of  Vermont,  and  continued  so  for  many  years.  The  lure  of  these 
destitute  places  drew  to  them  the  missionaries  of  the  Maine  Bap- 
tist Missionary  Society  and  of  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Mission- 
ary Society,  and  the  evangelistic  pastors  of  the  abler  Vermont 
Associations.  These  itinerated  from  village  to  village,  holding 
meetings  on  the  Lord's  Days  and  as  often  as  possible  in  the  inter- 
vals between,  baptizing  converts,  organizing  churches  and  caring 
for  them  with  commendable  zeal. 

The  first  church  organized  was  the  Danville,  in  1792,  and 
from  this  point  missionary  tours  often  began.  Its  early  history 
was  marred  by  the  immorality  of  its  first  pastor,  Isaac  Root,  and 
its  growth  retarded  by  dissensions  among  its  members.  It  had, 
however,  its  hospitable  and  devoted  members,  among  them  certain 
notable  women,  filled  with  missionary  ardor.  One  of  these  was 
Sally  Fisher,  secretary  of  a  Mite  Society,  concerning  which,  she 
wrote  to  the  president  of  the  Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary 
Society  in  1808.  "A  few  female  members  of  the  Baptist  church 
in  this  towTi,  in  July,  1808,  agreed  to  form  into  a  society  for  religious 
purposes.  The  objects  of  our  meetings  were  to  converse  on  the 
things  of  religion,  and  to  comfort  and  strengthen  each  other,  while 
surrounded  with  adversaries  and  beset  with  the  temptations  of 
this  alluring  world.  And  also  to  pray  that  God  would  continue 
to  extend  the  conquests  of  his  sovereign  grace  and  bring  in  his 
elect  from  the  rude  mass  of  mankind.     That  he  would  bless  the  ex- 


314  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ertions  of  his  people,  who  are  endeavoring  to  spread  that  reHgion, 
which  inculcates  peace  and  humility  and  self-denial,  until  its  be- 
nign influence  may  be  felt  by  all  the  human  race.  A  further  ob- 
ject of  our  meeting  was  to  contribute  our  mite  toward  the  accom- 
plishment of  this  infinitely  important  end."  Their  contribution 
that  year  was  $8.28  out  of  poverty. 

The  Second  church  was  organized  in  Hardwick,  in  1795,  a 
short-lived  body,  extinct  in  1801.  Amos  Tuttle  was  its  only 
pastor.  In  the  decade,  1800-1810,  five  churches  were  organized, 
Burke,  1801,  Derby  Hicks,  pastor;  Waterford,  1802;  Craftsbury, 
1804,  Samuel  Churchill,  pastor;  Derby,  1807,  Samuel  Smith, 
pastor;  Coventry,  1809,  John  Ide,  pastor. 

Other  early  churches  were  Troy,  1818;  Greensboro,  1819; 
Irasburg,  1816;  I^wport,  1817. 

Probably  no  man  was  more  influential  among  these  early 
churches  than  Elder  Silas  Davison.  He  was  born  in  Pomfret, 
Ct.,  November  14,  1768,  came  into  Vermont  in  1779,  united  with 
the  Baptist  church  in  Hartland,  Vt.,  1795.  In  1798,  he  removed 
to  Waterford,  and  while  there,  as  a  licentiate,  he  gathered  a  small 
church  there,  most  of  whose  members  later  joined  the  church  in 
Passumpsic,  of  which  Mr.  Davison  became  pastor,  continuing 
such  for  nineteen  years.  He  was  an  excellent  pastor.  Three  of 
his  sons  entered  the  ministry,  though  but  one  of  them  lived  to  be 
ordained.  These  were  Prosper,  Preserved,  and  Silas  Davison,  Jr., 
all  young  men  of  promise,  and  all  going  in  youth  almost  at  the 
commencement  of  their  ministry. 

Danville  Association 

The  nucleus  of  the  Danville  Association  consisted  of  five 
churches,  viz. :  Littleton  and  Lancaster  in  New  Hampshire,  Crafts- 
bury,  Concord  and  Coventry  in  Vermont.  These  organized  as  an 
Association  in  December,  1809.  Although  the  Association  was 
formed  in  Danville  and  took  its  name  from  that  place,  the  Dan- 
ville church  did  not  unite  with  it  till  1812;  Bethlehem,  N.  H.  and 
St.  Johnsbury,  Vt.,  uniting  the  same  year.  Five  years  later 
Derby,    Lunenburg   and   Irasburg   were   on    the   list.     In    1824, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  315 

the  Association  included  churches  in  Greensboro,  NeA^^Jort,  Mont- 
gomery, Lyndon  and  Burke,  and  the  Canadian  churches,  Troy 
and  Potton,  Eaton,  Hadley  and  Stanstead, — sixteen  churches  and 
five  hundred  and  fifty-five  members.  In  1842,  the  Association 
numbered  twenty-one  churches,  eleven  hundred  and  twenty-seven 
members.  By  this  time,  churches  had  been  formed  in  Morris- 
town,  Charleston,  Albany,  Hardwick,  Sutton  and  Wheelock, 
Bolton,  Barford,  Clifton,  Compton  and  Sutton.  Ten  years  later 
there  were  ten  churches  and  four  hundred  and  twenty -eight  mem- 
bers, all  in  Vermont. 

In  1868,  Canadian  churches  had  again  united  and  there  were 
seventeen  churches  and  nine  hundred  and  three  members.  The 
highest  membership  was  reached  in  1881,  thirteen  hundred  and 
seventeen  members  and  twenty-one  churches.  During  the  last 
two  decades,  owing  to  the  withdrawal  of  the  Canadian  churches, 
the  Association  has  numbered  but  ten  churches  and  about  seven 
hundred  members.  Since  1906,  there  has  been  marked  gain;  the 
total  membership  in  1910,  being  two  hundred  and  twenty -two. 

The  most  recent  church  accessions  are  the  Jay  church,  1883, 
an  outgrowth  of  the  North  Troy  church,  Norton,  1907,  West 
Derby,  1908. 

Until  February,  1907,  the  Baptists  in  Norton  were  members 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Dixville,  Canada,  and  a  convenient  house 
of  worship  and  church  home  was  erected  for  them  as  early  as  1896. 
W.  J.  Gregory,  pastor  of  the  Dixville  church,  supplied  them  until 
Rev.  A.  E.  St.  Dalmas  came  to  them  in  October,  1904,  and  gave 
them  faithful  service.  In  January,  1907,  Rev.  N.  T.  Hafer, 
Vermont  State  Evangelist,  came  to  them  and  assisted  St.  Dalmas 
in  a  series  of  meetings,  which  resulted  in  the  quickening  of  chris- 
tians and  the  conversion  of  some  souls.  Six  were  baptized  at  the 
close  of  the  meetings  and  an  independent  church  organization 
formed  in  February,  and  recognized  in  March. 

The  West  Derby  church  changed  from  a  Free  Baptist  to  Regu- 
lar Baptist  in  1908.  After  a  most  helpful  supply  by  Rev.  H.  A. 
Buzzell,  of  Battle  Creek,  Michigan,  Rev.  J.  T.  Buzzell  became 
pastor  and  soon  three  new  members  were  received  by  baptism 
and  twenty-four  by  letter  and  experience. 


316  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Compa^ati^'ely  few  years  have  been  marked  by  general  revival 
influences.  In  1817,  when  the  Association  numbered  but  seven 
churches,  one  hundred  and  twenty -four  were  added  by  baptism, 
and  seventeen  by  letter;  the  total  membership  of  the  Association 
being  doubled.  The  Coventry  church  received  forty-nine  by 
baptism  and  the  St.  Johnsbury,  forty-two.  In  1825,  one  hundred 
and  twenty-one  were  added  to  the  eighteen  churches. 

The  years,  1831  to  1835,  inclusive,  were  fruitful,  during  which 
time  eight  hundred  and  twenty-seven  were  received  by  baptism. 
In  the  years,  1840  to  1844,  inclusive,  four  hundred  and  ninety-six 
baptisms  were  reported.  From  that  time,  until  1876,  the  acces- 
sions were  small;  one  hundred  and  seventeen  were  received  then 
and  one  hundred  and  nineteen  the  year  following. 

The  principal  work  of  the  Association  has  been  to  foster  the 
interests  of  the  churches  within  its  bounds.  It  has,  however,  not 
been  unmindful  of  the  wider  work  of  the  kingdom  and,  in  harmony 
with  tjhe  other  Associations,  it  has  given  of  its  substance  for  the 
general  missionary  societies,  and  exerted  its  influence  in  favor  of 
moral  reforms,  denouncing  human  slavery,  commending  temper- 
ance, encouraging  loyalty  to  the  United  States  government.  In 
educational  work  it  took  an  active  interest  in  connection  with  the 
Derby  Literary  and  Theological  Institution.  The  Association 
appointed  all  the  trustees,  appointed  agents  for  the  collection  of 
funds  and  for  a  time  became  responsible  for  the  debts  of  the  school, 
and  to  the  extent  of  its  ability,  maintained  it  financially  and  other- 
wise. 

The  relation  between  the  Vermont  churches  of  this  Associa- 
tion and  their  sister  churches  across  the  Canadian  border  was 
always  affectionate  and  cordial-.  When  the  Canadian  churches 
withdrew  and  formed  a  new  association  within  the  Province  of 
Quebec,  this  Association  passed  the  following  resolution.  "Re- 
solved, that  we  cherish  with  pleasure  the  memory  of  the  past  years 
in  which  we  have  been  associated,  the  precious  seasons  of  our 
gatherings,  the  spirit  of  christian  love  and  sympathy,  never  bound- 
ed by  any  political  lines,  nor  marred  by  the  thought  that  we  were 
the  citizens  of  different  governments, — and  that  now  as  they  go 
to  work  out  God's  plan  in  the  new  Association,  we  express  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  317 

pledge  to  them  a  continuance  of  our  love,  and  pray  that  God 
may  make  them  fruitful  to  every  good  work. " 

The  name  of  Rev.  F.  N.  Jersey  was  long  held  in  loving  remem- 
brance among  the  churches  on  both  sides  of  the  Canadian  line, 
and  is  worthy  of  special  mention  here.  An  appreciative  obituary 
of  him  is  to  be  found  in  the  minutes  of  this  Association  for  1860. 
He  was  born  in  London,  England,  January  7,  1817,  converted  at 
the  age  of  thirteen,  and  was  at  once  filled  with  a  longing  to  bring 
others  to  the  Saviour.  His  zeal  in  the  cause  brought  him  the 
name  of  "The  Praying  Sailor."  For  about  twenty  years  after 
his  marriage,  he  was  a  regular  circuit  rider  in  England,  within  the 
Methodist  denomination.  He  was  a  missionary  in  Ireland  two 
years,  and  while  there  met  Rev.  Mr.  Marsdon,  with  whom  he  had 
frequent  conversations  on  different  points  of  doctrine.  Not  long 
afterward  he  became  a  Baptist,  under  the  imperative  convictions 
of  the  Gospel  truths. 

He  came  to  Montreal  in  1842,  with  his  large  family,  and  soon 
became  a  resident  of  the  eastern  townships.  For  nearly  fifteen 
years  he  was  successively  pastor  of  the  churches  of  Stanstead  and 
St.  Armand.  His  labors  were  mostly  confined  to  the  two  town- 
ships and  several  of  the  border  towns  of  Vermont.  The  field  of 
his  itineracy  extended  over  an  area  of  at  least  two  hundred  square 
miles.  None  but  the  "Shepherd  and  Bishop  of  Souls"  can  proper- 
ly estimate  this  good  brother's  labors,  anxieties  and  weariness  in 
such  a  field.  In  all  seasons  of  the  year,  and  kinds  of  weather,  on 
every  variety  of  road,  by  night  and  by  day,  he  traveled  up  and 
down  the  hills  and  vales  of  those  two  townships,  sometimes  forcing 
his  way  to  an  appointment  through  snow  drifts  higher  than  the 
mane  of  his  horse,  while  a  piercing  north-wester  was  driving  in 
his  face.  At  other  times  he  must  needs  contend  with  mud  and 
deep,  miry  clay.  As  long  as  he  was  able  he  continued  preaching, 
and  when  his  wife  tried  to  persuade  him  to  desist  from  further 
attempting  to  preach,  he  would  say,  "I  must  try  or  the  people 
will  be  destitute."  He  died  on  the  thirteenth  of  March,  1860, 
aged  sixty -three  years.  Among  his  last  words  were  these:  "I  feel 
that  I  am  worn  out.  But  the  Lord  is  kind  and  deals  very  gently 
WTth  me.     I  feel  no  pain.     I  can  sleep  no  more  till  I  sleep  in  Jesus. " 


318  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Another  pastor  long  identified  with  this  Association  was  Rev. 
R.  Godding,  for  thirty  years  pastor  of  the  church  in  East  Burke,  a 
church,  which  for  a  time,  was  one  of  the  strong  ones  in  the  Associa- 
tion. 

Orville  Dagget  was  one  of  the  pioneer  Baptists,  born  in  New- 
port, 1799,  baptized  by  John  Ide,  of  Coventry,  in  1816,  united 
•with  twenty-three  others  to  form  the  Newport  church,  of  which 
he  continued  a  member  till  his  death,  March,  1868.  He  studied 
for  the  ministry  in  his  youth,  but  was  prevented  by  ill  health  from 
carrying  out  his  purpose. 

Rev.  H.  N.  Hovey,  born  in  Brookfield,  Vt.,  1815,  removed  to 
Albany,  in  1827,  was  converted  in  1822,  and  with  seventeen  other 
constituent  members  united  with  the  Albany  church,  ministering 
to  it  as  pastor  twenty-eight  years,  preaching  alternately  half  the 
time  to  the  Newport  church. 

Barnabas  Perkins,  Samuel  Churchill,  John  Ide,  Joseph  Ide, 
Daniel  Mason,  J.  G.  Lorimer,  N.  C.  Saunders  and  other  worthy 
men,  left  their  impress  upon  the  churches  by  faithful  ministerial 
service. 

Danville 

This  church,  after  dismissing  its  first  pastor  in  1799,  was  with- 
out pastor  till  December  23,  1807,  when  it  ordained  Samuel  Wake- 
field, and  enjoyed  his  services  one  year.  Its  third  pastor  was 
Lewis  D.  Fisher,  who  was  ordained  February  23,  1820,  and  had  a 
pastorate  of  twelve  years.  Israel  D.  Newell  served  from  1833  till 
1836,  and  M.  D.  Miller  from  1839,  one  year.  In  1831,  work  was 
begun  on  a  house  of  worship,  which  was  of  brick  and  cost  thirty- 
one  hundred  dollars.  This  loaded  the  church  with  a  debt,  which 
was  liquidated  only  by  donations  from  abroad.  The  name  of  the 
church  disappears  from  the  minutes  of  the  Association  in  1852,  no 
report  from  it  having  been  received  for  several  years  previous. 

Burke 

Derby  Hicks,  who  was  ordained  pastor  of  this  church  in  1806, 
continued  m  this  ofiice  for  many  years,  until  his  health  declined. 
In  1806,  twelve  were  added  by  baptism  and  in  1810,  thirty.     Near- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  319 

ly  two  hundred,  at  various  times,  were  received  into  the  member- 
ship of  this  church.  Weakened  by  deaths  and  removals,  it  be- 
came extinct  about  1840. 

Hard  WICK 

This  church  had  but  a  l)rief  hfe  of  six  years. 

Waterford 

The  church  in  Waterford,  organized  in  1802,  was  gathered 
by  Silas  Davison,  while  a  licentiate,  and  its  original  members  were 
mostly  from  Hartland.  Having  no  place  of  worship  it  did  not 
make  much  progress,  though  some  converts  were  baptized  and 
added  to  it  by  Elder  Baily,  of  Peacham.  It  was  dissolved  by 
advice  of  a  council  ia  1811.  Most  of  its  members  united  with  the 
St.  Johnsbury  and  Waterford  church. 

First  Craftsbury 

Organized  1804,  consisting  of  seven  members.  It  ordained 
Samuel  Churchill,  February,  1806,  and  Daniel  Mason,  June,  1812. 
In  1812,  1817  and  1819,  interesting  revivals  were  enjoyed,  the 
fruits  of  which  added  largely  to  this  church.  About  one  hundred 
at  different  times  were  received.  In  1819,  twenty-four  members 
were  dismissed  to  form  the  Greensboro  church.  This  weakened 
it,  and  in  1817  it  became  extinct. 

Second  Craftsbury 

A  second  church  was  organized  in  Craftsbury,  September, 
1831,  of  seventeen  members.  The  church  was  supplied,  occasion- 
ally by  Jona  Baldwin,  N.  H.  Dowtis,  Prosper  Powell,  Moses  Flint 
and  D,  W.  Burroughs.  They  enjoyed  some  revivals  and  the 
church  once  numbered  thirty-five,  but  difficulties  arose  and  in 
1840,  most  of  the  members  united  with  the  church  in  Hardwick. 


320  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Derby 

Organized  August  1,  1807,  with  fifteen  members.  Samuel 
Smith,  installed  pastor  in  1810,  died  about  a  year  later.  The 
second  pastor,  Elisha  Starkweather,  began  his  work  in  1817,  was 
silenced  in  1819,  and  restored  in  1820.  In  1822,  in  consequence  of 
multiplied  difiiculties,  the  church  voted  to  dissolve. 

Coventry 

Organized  October  9,  1809.  John  Ide,  one  of  its  members, 
was  ordained  pastor,  June  29,  1815,  and  continued  sixteen  years, 
during  which  time  one  hundred  and  fifty,  in  various  ways,  were 
added  to  the  membership  of  the  church.  Prosper  Powell  was 
pastor  one  year.  Prosper  Davison,  ordained  September  9,  1834, 
three  years,  and  until  his  death  three  years  later.  Mr.  Powell  was 
a  young  man  of  great  promise.  He  died  at  Lyme,  N.  H.  A.  H. 
House  was  ordained,  June,  1840,  and  served  one  year.  Rufus 
Godding,  N.  H.  Hovey,  A.  W.  Boardman  and  H.  I.  Campbell 
held  short  pastorates.  There  were  large  accessions  during  the 
years,  1823,  1825,  1828,  1834  and  1839.  Several  remarkable  men 
were  licensed  to  preach  by  this  church:  John  Ide;  his  son,  George 
B.  Ide,  Alvin  Baily,  Gardner  Bartlett,  Joha.  Baldwin  and  Mr. 
Barker.  This  church  passed  through  many  trials,  having  had 
to  exclude  over  thirty  members.  By  removals  and  death,  its 
numbers  were  gradually  diminished.  Other  denominations  owned 
a  share  of  its  meeting-house,  and  after  1854  it  ceased  to  report  to 
the  Association  and  about  1860  its  name  disappeared. 

Greenboro 

Organized  March,  1819,  of  twenty-six  members.  Its  pros- 
perity was  never  great,  although  it  arose  to  about  fifty  in  number. 
For  years  great  harmony  prevailed,  but  at  length  one  Samuel 
Toms  caused  the  church  so  much  diflSculty,  that  it  was  thought 
best  to  dissolve,  which  was  done,  and  the  church  in  Hardwick  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  321 

formed  from  its  ruins.  Marvin  Grow  was  ordained  their  pastor, 
September  5,  1821.  The  main  body  of  this  church  is  said  never 
to  have  lost  their  union  for  one  another,  and  that  this  noble  charac- 
teristic was  transferred  to  the  Hardwick  church,  into  which  they 
were  formed. 

Passumpsic  ■ 

The  Passumpsic  church,  organized  September  24,  1811,  con- 
sisted of  the  following  constituent  members,  viz.:  Rev.  Silas  Davi- 
son, Jacob  Ide,  John  Clark,  Nathaniel  Haseltine,  Olive  Armington, 
Dolly  Elkins,  Sally  Stowell,  Parsis  Davison,  Esther  Benton,  Han- 
nah Baldwin,  Ruth  Barker,  Elnathan  Wood,  Betsy  Ide,  Betsy 
Willson,  Esther  Hendrick,  Olive  Badger.  These  were  recognized 
as  a  church  by  a  council  composed  of  delegates  from  Ryegate, 
Danville,  Coventry  and  Littleton.  July  1,  1812,  they  ordained  as 
their  pastor,  Silas  Davison,  who  for  nineteen  years  served  them 
with  utmost  faithfulness.  iVt  the  end  of  that  time.  Rev.  George 
B.  Ide  was  called  to  the  pastorate  and  served  one  year,  when  Mr. 
Davison  again  took  up  the  work  and  supplied  the  church  a  year 
and  three  months.  During  the  nineteen  years  of  his  regular 
pastorate,  he  received  into  the  church  one  hundred  and  ninety -five 
members,  aside  from  the  sixteen  which  were  gathered  by  him 
when  the  church  was  organized.  Of  these,  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
two  were  received  by  baptism.  During  his  pastorate,  thirty-one 
were  excluded,  and  forty-four  were  dismissed  to  other  churches. 

This  church,  at  the  first,  was  called  The  St.  Johnsbury  and 
Waterford  church.  In  1828,  the  church  was  reorganized  and  the 
name  changed  to  The  Calvinistic  Baptist  church  of  Passumpsic. 
Gradually  the  word  Calvinistic  was  dropped  from  the  name. 

The  list  of  pastors  who  have  served  this  church,  and  their 
terms  of  service,  are  as  follows:  Silas  Davison,  1812-1832;  George 
B.  Ide,  1832-1833;  J.  Merriam,  1833-1836;  B.  B.  Burrows,  1837- 
1841;  Levi  Smith,  1841-1842;  John  Ide,  1843-1845;  N.  E.  Smith, 
1847-1849;  J.  R.  Greene,  1849-1852;  A.  W.  Boardman,  1852-1854; 
A.  H.  House,  1854-1861;  A.  W.  Boardman,  1861-1863;  E.  Evans, 
1864-1867;  S.  T.  Frost,  1868-1869;  J.  W.  Buzzell,  1871-1874;  A. 


322  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

W.  Alger,  1875-1883;  S.  A.  Reed,  1883-1885;  L.  F.  Shepardson, 
1886-1887;  J.  F.  Buzzell,  1887-1894;  J.  D.  Skinner,  1894-1898; 
C.  D.  R.  Meacham,  1899-1904;  W.  F.  Basten,  1904-1905;  A.  S. 
Gilbert,  1905-1910;  Archibald  Mason,  1910-1912;  Le\\as  W.  San- 
ford.  1912. 

The  church  has  had  three  meeting-houses;  the  first  two  were 
built  and  presented  to  the  church  by  Deacon  John  Clark.  Of  him, 
it  is  written,  in  a  previous  record,  "If  the  Jews  could  say  of  one 
ancient,  'He  loveth  our  nation  and  hath  build  for  us  a  synagogue, '  " 
this  church  could  say  of  Deacon  Clark,  "He  loveth  our  church 
and  hath  built  for  us  two  meeting-houses."  In  him  the  church 
found  a  counsellor,  and  the  world  a  benefactor. 

Largely  through  the  influence  of  Rev.  N.  W.  Alger,  the 
estate  of  J.  G.  Lawrence  was  left  to  the  church.  This  gift  was 
greatly  appreciated,  coming  from  a  man  who  was  not  identified 
wath  the  church  in  any  way  The  gift  consisted  of  the  present 
parsonage,  together  with  the  land  belonging  to  the  church  and 
parsonage  at  the  present  time,  some  land  on  the  east  side  of  the 
river,  and  a  considerable  sum  in  cash,  besides.  This  valuable  gift 
enabled  the  church  to  erect  its  present  edifice. 

The  church  has  witnessed  several  notable  revivals.  In  1816, 
sixty -eight  were  received;  in  1828,  fifty;  in  1831,  twenty -five; 
in  1832,  forty.  During  Elder  Burrows'  pastorate,  one  hundred 
were  added  to  the  membership. 

From  the  beginning,  the  church  has  been  self-sustaining  and  a 
liberal  contributor  to  benevolent  objects. 

It  has  sent  out  many  valuable  gifts,  among  which  may  be 
mentioned  Silas  Davison,  Prosper  Davison,  Preser^^ed  Davison, 
Silas  Davison,  Jr.,  Jonathan  Aldrich,  E.  C.  Eager,  A.  Harvey  and 
Samuel  Graves. 

Irasburg 

Organized  in  1816,  never  became  large,  and  its  early  history 
has  not  been  preserved.  In  1842,  they  were  holding  meetings  in 
the  Court  House.  Charles  R.  Kellum  was  licensed  and  or- 
dained here,  and  D.  \Y.  Burroughs  licensed  by  them.     Jona  Bald- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  323 

win,  A.  W.  Boardman,  W.  S.    Hurlbut   and  N.  C.  Hovej'  held 
pastorates.     The  church  became  extinct  in  1864. 

Troy 

The  Troy  church  organized  in  1818,  attained  in  1843,  a  mem- 
bership of  one  hundred  and  twenty-two.  In  1844,  it  reported  to 
the  Association  as  follows:  "Somewhat  divided  geographically  and 
we  fear  also  in  heart."  In  1850,  a  new  church  was  organized  in 
North  Troy,  "with,  sixteen  members,  which  has  maintained  its  or- 
ganization and  services  till  now.  The  name  of  the  Troy  church 
drops  from  the  minutes  about  this  time.  Church  organizations 
were  maintained  for  a  time  in  both  North  Troy  and  South  Troy, 
sometimes  served  by  the  same  pastor. 

The  following  ministers  have  served  the  Troy  Baptists  as 
pastors:  J.  R.  Greene,  N.  W.  Boardman,  T.  M.  Merriam,  I.  H. 
Campbell,  F.  N.  Jersey,  A.  J.  Walker,  A.  N.  Woodruff,  N.  Nor- 
cross,  P.  W.  Fuller,  J.  W.  Buzzell,  A.  J.  Chandler,  G.  H.  Parker, 
G.  W.  Clough,  R.  H.  Carey,  J.  B.  Miner,  H.  S.  McHale,  W.  F. 
Sturdevant,  J.  E.  Berry  and  E.  W.  Puffer. 

Albany 

The  little  church  of  nine  members,  that  was  organized  in 
Albany,  September  12,  1832,  was  supplied  by  various  ministers 
for  a  limited  time.  Among  them,  Moses  Flint,  Amos  Dodge,  D. 
W.  Burroughs,  S.  B.  Ryder,  A.  H.  Huse  and  S.  A.  Fisher;  the  last 
of  whom  was  ordained  with  them,  March  11,  1841.  In  1835, 
twenty-eight  were  added  and  in  1839,  a  number  more.  H.  N. 
Hovey  began  a  pastorate  in  1848,  that  continued  till  1864.  In 
1856,  the  report  from  the  church  stated  that  more  than  one-sixth 
of  the  members  had  removed  to  Iowa.  In  1859,  twenty-six  were 
added  to  the  membership.  From  1864  to  1876,  the  church  was 
served  by  J.  F.  Ferguson,  A.  Norcross,  C.  Newhall  and  Wm. 
Bevans. 

In  1877,  their  meeting-house  was  leased  to  the  Methodists  and 
not  long  afterward  sold  to  them,  and  stated  meetings  of  the  church 


324  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ceased.  The  little  company  of  survivors,  however,  were  so  loyal 
to  the  principles  of  their  faith  and  to  the  interests  of  the  denomina- 
tion, that  they  contributed  regularly  and  generously  to  the  State 
Convention  and  other  enterprises,  and  the  name  of  the  church 
apppeared  in  the  list  in  the  Associational  minutes  till  1910. 

A  remarkable  bit  of  Baptist  history,  is  that  of  this  little  church 
maintaining  its  vitality  under  such  circumstances  for  more  than 
thirty  years,  without  public  services  of  their  own,  yet  interested 
and  loyal  and  helpful  in  the  work  of  the  denomination. 

Burke 

In  1831,  six  Baptists,  in  the  east  part  of  the  town,  organized  a 
church,  which  they  called  a  General  Baptist  church.  Rufus 
Godding  was  ordained  its  pastor  in  1832,  and  held  the  position  for 
thirty  years.  Under  his  ministry-,  the  church  attained  a  member- 
ship of  one  hundred  and  seventeen  in  1859.  During  that  year, 
twenty -five  were  added  by  Baptism,  the  fruit  of  a  revival.  When 
this  pastorate  closed,  in  1862,  the  church  for  a  time  languished 
under  discouragements  of  various  kinds.  The  church  was  pastor- 
less  for  several  years,  when  J.  W.  Buzzell  assumed  the  pastorate, 
and  during  the  year  he  served,  a  meeting-house  was  erected  and 
the  outlook  became  more  encouraging. 

A.  W.  Woodruff  was  pastor  during  1872,  A.  M.  Boardman  in 
1873,  I.  F.  Heilner  in  1879,  W.  S.  Emery  in  1881,  I.  P.  Kellogg  in 
1884.  These  short  pastorates,  with  intervals  between,  failed  to 
keep  the  church.  Meetings  were  discontinued  in  1884,  and  never 
resumed. 

St.  Johnsbury 

A  church  was  organized  in  St.  Johnsbury,  in  1874,  fostered  by 
the  State  Convention,  and  befriended  in  special  manner  by  Levi 
K.  Fuller,  of  Brattleboro.  A  chapel  was  dedicated,  November 
30,  1874,  and  a  deed  of  the  parsonage  and  the  lot,  on  which  both 
parsonage  and  the  chapel  stands,  given  by  Mr.  Fuller.  Rev.  E. 
T.  Sanford  became  its  first  pastor,  maintaining  that  relation  for 


().  H.  Hp:nderson,  St.  Johiisbiiry 
Auditor  of  the  Convention 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  325 

fourteen  years.  During  this  ministry  the  church  attained  a 
membership  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty.  Mr.  Sanford  was 
succeeded,  in  1891,  by  Geo.  AVebster,  one  year;  F.  R.  Stratton, 
1892;  H.  M.  Douglass,  1894;  A.  C.  Hussey,  1899;  C.  R.  B.  Dodge, 
1902;  F.  S.  Tolman,  1908. 

Newport 

Organized  in  1817,  of  twenty-eight  members.  Pastors,  Har- 
vey Clark,  ordained  in  1829,  five  years;  Prosper  Davison,  a  part 
of  the  time  one  year;  W.  M.  Guilford,  part  of  the  time  one  year; 
Simon  Fletcher,  one  year. 

Before  the  formation  of  the  church,  the  people  enjoyed  a 
number  of  revivals  and  the  converts  joined  the  church  in  Coventry. 
One  in  1798,  one  in  1816,  which  led  to  the  organization  of  the 
church.  In  1824,  additions  were  twenty-two;  1831,  twenty -four 
were  added;  1834,  1837  and  1841,  revivals  were  enjoyed  and  the 
church  strengthened.  In  the  first  revival,  Nathan  Daggett  was 
hopefully  converted,  and  from  that  time  devoted  himself  for  the 
interests  of  the  church.  He  held  meetings  for  many  years,  and 
otherwise  assisted  in  maintaining  the  worship  of  God.  He  was 
never  ordained,  but  served  as  a  deacon.  Various  ministers  preached 
to  them  occasionally,  among  whom  are  named.  Elders,  Rogers, 
Marsh,  Perkins,  and  Churchill,  before  the  formation  of  the  church. 
Then  Elders,  John  Ide,  S.  Davison,  M.  Grow,  L.  Fisher  and  M. 
Cheney  occasionally  labored  with  them. 

In  1859,  there  was  a  revival,  adding  twenty-two  by  baptism 
and  six  by  letter.  A  new  house  of  worship  was  completed  in 
Bridge  Village,  in  1861. 

Under  a  succession  of  faithful  pastors,  the  church  has  developed 
in  strength  and  influence. 

Newport  pastors:  S.  B.  Ryder  from  1842  to  1853,  followed 
by  Payson  Tyler;  W.  H.  Dean,  S.  T.  Frost,  C.  V.  Nicholson,  A.  J. 
Wilcox,  J.  H.  Marsh,  N.  C.  Saunders,  G.  B.  Wheeler,  J.  Freeman, 
W.  N.  Wilbur,  S.  B.  Nobbs,  R.  L.  Olds,  A.  L.  Wadsworth,  C.  H. 
BrowTi,  J.  J.  WilHams  and  H.  B.  Rankin. 


326  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Derby 

Two  years  after  the  first  church  in  Derby  was  dissolved, 
another  church  of  nine  members  was  organized,  and  soon  after  its 
organization  was  blessed  with  a  revival,  which  increased  its  mem- 
bership from  nineteen  to  sixty-se\'en.  Moses  Cheney,  its  first 
pastor,  served  six  years;  George  B.  Ide,  Wm.  M.  Guilford  and  Noah 
Nichols,  followed.  Nathan  Dennison  was  ordained,  February  24, 
1842,  and  remained  till  1847.  After  brief  pastorates  by  M.  Merri- 
am  and  J.  R.  Green,  A.  Norcross  was  minister  six  years,  1850-1856; 
L.  Kinney  and  J.  Peacock,  one  year  each;  J.  G.  Lorimer  was  or- 
dained, October  6,  1861,  and  remained  with  them,  greatly  beloved, 
till  1878.  Later  pastors;  N.  C.  Saunders,  1878;  G.  S.  Chase,  1881- 
1890;  Chas.  Gould,  1890;  R.  L.  Olds,  1893-1897;  H.  S.  Kilborn, 
1897;  F.  D.  Luddington,  1902;  E.  P.  Hoyt,  1904;  E.  M.  Holman. 

In  the  enterprise  of  founding  and  sustaining  Derby  Academy, 
this  church  took  an  active  and  generous  part  and  for  a  time  sus- 
tained an  unusual  weight  of  responsibility  in  connection  with  the 
school.  '^ 

Hardwick 

In  1831,  a  church  was  organized  with  thirty-one  members; 
Marvin  Grow,  pastor,  serving  till  health  failed  some  three  years 
later.  Aaron  Angier  was  second  pastor.  The  growth  of  the  church 
was  rapid.  In  1839,  about  thirty  were  added.  In  1841,  a  meeting- 
house was  built,  and  ninety -two  added  to  the  church.  In  three 
years  the  church  increased,  from  forty  members  to  one  hundred  and 
thirty -five  and  became  one  of  the  most  flourishing  churches  in 
northern  Vermont.  Angler's  pastorate  closed  after  four  years. 
He  was  a  man  of  remarkable  ability.  From  HardA^-ick  he  removed 
to  Middleburj',  where  he  published  a  paper  called  the  Vermont 
Observer.  After  a  stay  of  two  years,  he  removed  to  Poultney 
and  thence  to  Ludlow,  where  he  was  associate  and  leading  editor 
of  a  paper  named.  The  Genius  of  Liberty— the  first  paper  pub- 
lished in  Ludlow.     He  moved  to  Cavendish,  where  he  sojourned 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  327 

two  years  and  in  the  spring  of  1850,  went  to  Cato,  Cayuga  County, 
New  York,  where  he  lived  three  years  and  accepted  an  agency  for 
the  Bible  Union,  and  moved  his  family  to  Elbridge,  New  York. 
This,  however,  he  retained  but  a  year,  and  in  1854,  became  pastor 
of  the  Lamoille  Baptist  church,  Illinois,  where  he  lived  for  four 
years,  when  he  died  on  the  third  of  September,  1854,  in  the  forty- 
eighth  year  of  his  age. 

Other  pastors,  who  have  served  the  Hardwick  church,  are 
N.  Dennison,  W.  Cooper,  S.  Smith,  E.  Evans,  P.  Tyler,  A.  N. 
WoodrufiP,  J.  C.  Carpenter,  J.  H.  Marsh,  A.  V.  Clark,  G.  B.  Wheel- 
er, H.  V.  Baker,  O.  N.  Bean  and  M.  S.  Tupper. 

By  the  aid  of  the  State  Convention,  the  church  has  maintained 
services  and  filled  an  important  place  in  the  community  and 
Association. 


Chapter    XIX 

PIONEER  AND  EARLY  CHURCHES  IN  FRANKLIN 
AND  LAMOILLE  COUNTIES. 

The  first  permanent  settlement  effected  in  this  part  of  the 
State,  was  in  Colchester,  on  the  banks  of  the  Winooski  River, 
near  where  Winooski  village  now  stands.  The  first  family  was 
that  of  Remember  Baker;  it  consisted  of  himself,  wife  and  three 
children.  He  was  a  joiner  and  millwright  by  trade.  In  connec- 
tion with  his  cousin,  Ira  Allen,  he  was  preparing  to  erect  mills  at 
Winooski  Falls,  when  the  war  of  the  Revolution  commenced,  and  he 
and  his  family  were  compelled  to  flee  for  safety.  He  was  afterward 
killed  by  an  Indian  near  St.  Johns,  C.  E.  The  same  year  that  Mr. 
Baker  came  to  Colchester,  Mr.  Thomas  Chittenden  commenced 
settlement  near  Williston.  The  next  year  there  w^as  a  little  open- 
ing made  in  the  forest,  and  a  few  log  huts  erected,  in  what  is  now 
the  north  part  of  the  city  of  Burlington.  About  the  same  time, 
Mr.  Isaac  Lawrence  and  family,  from  Canaan,  Connecticut,  went 
to  Hinesburg,  cut  down  a  few  trees  in  the  wilderness  and  built  a 
log  house.  The  family  for  some  time  lived  on  "dried  pumpkins 
without  any  other  food  whatever,"  and  his  wife  did  not  see  "the 
face  of  any  other  woman  for  ten  months."  In  1774,  Messrs. 
Messenger,  Rood  and  BrowTi  commenced  a  settlement  at  Jericho. 
Mr.  Brown  settled  on  the  flats  near  Underbill,  on  what  is  now 
called  Brown's  River.  In  the  autumn  of  1780,  the  family,  com- 
posed of  himself,  wife,  two  sons,  and  one  daughter,  were  surprised 
and  made  prisoners  by  a  party  of  Indians.  The  Indians  killed 
the  cattle,  sheep  and  hogs,  set  the  house  on  fire,  took  their  prisoners 
and  started  for  Montreal.  On  their  arrival  at  St.  Johns,  the  pris- 
oners were  sold    to    British  officers  for  eight  pounds  per  head. 


330  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

They  remained  in  bondage  nearly  three  years,  enduring  almost 
every  variety  of  hardship.  They  then  returned  to  Jericho,  and 
the  sons  Uved  and  died  on  the  farm,  where  they  were  made 
prisoners. 

The  settlements  named,  were  all  that  were  attempted  in  what 
is  now  the  territory  of  the  Lamoille  Association,  previous  to  the 
Revolution,  and  all  these  were  abandoned  during  the  war,  so  that, 
really,  settlements  did  not  commence  until  after  the  Revolution. 
Immediately  on  peace  being  declared  in  1782,  settlements  were 
commenced  in  Burlington,  Colchester,  Milton,  St.  Albans  and 
Jericho.  In  1783,  several  families  located  themselves  in  Essex, 
Hinesburg,  Cambridge,  Fairfax  and  Fairfield.  In  1784,  small 
beginnings  were  made  in  Georgia,  Westford,  Fletcher,  Johnson 
and  Waterbury,  and  before  the  close  of  the  next  ten  years,  most  of 
the  tov\Tis  had  more  or  less  inhabitants. 

As  far  as  is  now  known,  Benjamin  and  Stephen  Holmes,  and 
their  wives,  who  came  to  Georgia  in  1788,  were  the  first  Baptists 
that  settled  within  the  bounds  of  the  Association. 

The  first  religious  meeting  held  by  Baptists,  and  perhaps 
the  first  held  by  any  people,  was  holden  in  Fairfax,  in  the  spring  of 
1790,  by  Mr.  John  Crissey,  who  came  from  Bath,  N.  H. 

"In  the  vigor  of  manhood  he  came  to  Fairfax,  when  the 
town  was  an  almost  unbroken  forest,  covered  with  large  maple 
and  beech  timber.  He  possessed  an  axe  weighing  more  than  seven 
pounds  (made  for  his  special  use) .  With  this  monster  implement, 
wielded  by  giant  arms,  the  huge  trees  of  the  forest  fell  with  aston- 
ishing rapidity.  It  is  related  that  this  man  owed  Captain  Buck 
a  day's  work.  One  day,  very  late  in  the  morning,  he  made  his 
appearance  (with  his  little  hatchet)  to  do  a  day's  work.  Mr. 
Buck,  a  little  impatient  to  thmk  that  he  had  not  come  earlier,  said 
to  him,  'This  is  a  pretty  time  of  day  to  commence  a  day's  work.' 
The  man  simply  said,  'Mr.  Buck,  will  you  show  me  where  to 
strike  in?'  Mr.  Buck  told  him  where  to  go.  Relating  the  incident, 
Mr.  Buck  said,  'during  the  remainder  of  that  day  from  that  hill- 
side was  heard  one  continuous  roar  and  crashing  of  falling  timber, 
and  at  sun-dowm  on  that  day,  forty  square  rods  of  those  huge 
trees  in  that  forest  lay  prostrate,  all  cut  up  into  logs,  and  the  brush 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  331 

piled.'  The  Captain  said  he  always  felt  guilty,  when  he  thought 
how  he  had  chided  that  man  for  coming  late. " 

Says  Mr.  Wayland  Shepardson,  "I  have  been  told  by  aged 
people,  long  ago,  that  this  man,  morally,  mentally  and  religiously, 
was  just  what  he  was  physically.  I  have  often  heard  my  parents 
and  others  say  that  in  prayer  and  exhortation  he  was  a  marvel. 
He  was  familiar  with  the  Bible  and  was  a  decided  Baptist. " 

On  coming  into  the  settlements  and  finding  no  religious  meet- 
ing, he  appointed  meetings  on  the  Sabbath  in  his  own  log  cabin, 
and  invited  the  neighbors  to  attend.  He  conducted  the  exercises 
himself,  would  read  the  Bible,  offer  prayer  and  make  remarks. 
His  son  was  the  only  singer.  After  reading  the  hymn,  Mr.  Crissey 
would  line  it,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  day.  When  he  had 
read  his  hymn,  the  son,  a  very  tall  man,  would  rise,  fold  his  hands, 
close  his  eyes,  and  when  his  father  had  repeated  two  lines,  he  would 
sing  them,  and  so  through  the  hymn.  In  this  humble  manner, 
public  worship  was  here  commenced.  These  meetings  were  con- 
tinued until  the  Baptist  church  in  Fairfax  was  organized  in  Septem- 
ber, 1792. 

The  Second  church  was  organized  in  Georgia,  October  27, 1793. 
Rev.  Henry  Green,  of  Wallingford,  Rev.  Isaac  Beals,  of  Caledonia, 
and  Joseph  Randall,  of  Wallingford,  were  present  at  the  council 
and  took  part  in  the  exercises.  Joseph  Call  was  moderator.  The 
council  was  held  in  the  house  of  Abraham  Hathaway. 

The  church  in  Bolton,  afterwards  called  the  Richmond  church, 
was  organized  in  1794.  The  churches  in  Westford,  Cambridge,  Fair- 
field, and  Essex,  probably  soon  after. 

The  church  in  St.  Armand,  C.  E.,  was  constituted  in  1799; 
the  church  in  Waterbury,  1800;  the  church  in  Hinesburg,  1810; 
the  church  in  Colchester  in  1816. 

The  first  Baptist  minister  in  this  section  was  Rev.  Joseph 
Call,  an  itinerant  preacher,  whose  family  resided  in  Woodstock, 
which  was  then  the  center  of  Baptist  operations  in  that  part  of  the 
State.  In  the  fall  of  1789,  he  is  reported  as  pastor  of  the  Wood- 
stock church.  In  one  of  his  missionary  journeys  northward,  about 
1790,  he  stopped  at  the  house  of  Mr.  Ezra  Butler  in  Waterbury, 
for  a  night's  lodging,  as  he  was  wont  to  do,  and  became  instrumental 


332  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

in  the  conversion  of  Mr.  Butler,  whom  he  subsequently  baptized. 
Mr.  Butler  afterward  became  a  Baptist  preacher  and  the  Governor 
of  the  State.  About  1791,  Mr.  Call  preached  in  Cambridge,  Fair- 
fax, Fairfield,  Georgia  and  Milton.  In  the  early  part  of  1793, 
probably  in  the  month  of  January,  he  removed  his  family  from 
Woodstock  to  Cambridge  and  preached  for  a  time  to  a  church 
composed  of  Congregationalists  and  Baptists.  While  pastor  here 
he  still  engaged  in  missionary  tours  and  during  one  of  these,  August, 
1794,  was  the  first  to  administer  baptism  in  Bristol,  and  at  that 
time  gathered  a  Baptist  church  there,  which  still  exists.  In  1797, 
he  was  installed  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Fairfax.  On  the 
records  of  the  Fairfield  church,  his  name  appears  as  late  as  1812. 
He  was  an  able  preacher,  a  pious  and  devoted  man. 

The  second  minister  that  labored  in  this  field  was  Roswell 
Mears.  He  was  bom  in  Goshen,  Conn.,  April  16,  1772;  in  1782, 
his  father  and  family  removed  to  Poultney,  Vt.  In  October, 
1792,  he  left  Poultney  and  came  to  Milton.  The  whole  region 
was  then  but  little  else  than  one  vast  wilderness,  with  here  and 
there  a  little  opening.  In  most  of  the  to^vais,  a  little  beginning  had 
been  made  and  a  few  log  huts  erected;  and  these  rude  settlements 
were  to  be  found  by  follo'vN'ing  marked  trees  or  foot  paths.  Ros- 
well Mears  was  a  young  man  of  deep  piety  and  fine  talent,  and 
for  some  time  previous  to  his  leaving  Poultney,  he  had  felt  it  his 
duty  to  preach  the  Gospel.  But,  having  never  received  as  much  as 
a  common  school  education,  he  shrunk  from  the  responsibilicy, 
and  came  to  this  new  country  with  the  hope  that  these  impressions 
might  pass  away.  But  on  reaching  these  new  settlements,  he  was 
frequently  asked  to  preach,  and  to  use  his  own  words,  he  says, 
"after  remaining  some  days,  and  finding  that  there  was  but  one 
minister  of  any  denomination  -wathin  fifty  miles,  I  finally  yielded 
to  the  request  of  the  people."  His  first  regular  appointment  to 
preach  was  at  Cambridge.  He  took  his  hymn-liook  and  Bible, 
his  whole  Hbrary,  left  Mr.  Mallary's,  in  Milton,  on  foot,  and  by 
aid  of  marked  trees  he  found  his  way  to  Mr.  Stephen  Kingsley's, 
in  (^ambridge.  The  meeting  in  Caml)ridge  was  in  the  south  part  of 
the  towTi,  on  the  hill  some  two  miles  south  of  Cambridge  Borough, 
in  a  little  log  hut. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  333 

He  was  at  this  time  about  nineteen  years  of  age  and  wore  a 
sailor  jacket  and  trousers.  He  preached  his  first  sermon  from  the 
words,  "Can  there  any  good  thing  come  out  of  Nazareth?"  The 
next  day  he  preached  in  the  east  part  of  the  town.  At  the  close 
of  the  evening  service,  several  of  the  brethren  collected  in  a  room 
by  themselves,  and  agreed  to  say  to  him,  they  believed  him  called 
to  preach.  And  there  in  a  private  room,  in  the  deep,  dark  forest, 
Mr.  Mears,  at  the  hands  of  a  few  lay  brethren,  received  his  first 
license  to  preach  among  men.  At  that  time,  all  the  professors  of 
religion  in  Cambridge  were  either  Baptists  or  Congregationalists, 
and  as  there  were  but  very  few,  they  had  united  in  one  church. 
Soon  after  this  they  separated  and  formed  two  churches.  In  the 
fall  and  early  part  of  the  winter  of  1792,  Mr.  Mears  preached  with 
great  success  in  Bolton,  Cambridge,  Johnson  and  Williston.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  he  preached ;  visited  Poultney ;  preached  before  the 
church,  and  received  his  license  in  due  form,  and  returned  to 
Cambridge.  Becoming  satisfied  that  he  had  never  been  baptized, 
and  feeling  it  to  be  a  duty  binding  upon  him,  he  was  baptized  in 
Cambridge,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Call,  in  April,  and  united  with  the 
Baptist  church  in  Fairfax,  that  being  the  only  Baptist  church  in 
existence  in  this  region. 

Concerning  these  early  meetings  of  Elder  Mears,  Elder  Sabin, 
in  his  Recollections  written  in  1860,  in  his  eighty-seventh  year, 
says,  "I  have  heard  several  old  persons  speak  of  the  meetings  that 
he  held  in  their  log  cabins,  crowded  as  full  of  people  as  they  could 
be  crammed.  It  would  seem  that  every  person  was  anxious  for 
the  salvation  of  his  soul,  and  as  Father  Bucar  said,  'It  seemed  as 
if  the  foundation  of  the  cabin  was  shaken.'  " 

On  Tuesday,  the  second  day  in  January,  he  was  ordained  in 
Fairfax.  In  February,  1796,  he  removed  to  Groton,  N.  H.  Dur- 
ing the  four  years  that  he  labored  in  this  section,  he  preached  in 
Cambridge,  Jericho,  Waterbury,  Bolton,  Fairfax,  Fairfield,  Georgia, 
Milton,  Richmond  and  Williston,  and  perhaps  it  is  not  too  much 
to  say,  that  he  did  more  toward  laying  the  foundation  of  the  Bap- 
tist churches  in  this  section  than  any  other  minister  that  ever 
preached  here. 


334  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  1807,  Mears  removed  from  New  Hampshire  to  Georgia,  Vt., 
and  took  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church,  which  position  he  re- 
tained till  1825,  when  he  resigned,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev. 
Alvah  Sabin.  After  his  resignation,  he  still  remained  in  Georgia, 
preaching  as  his  health  would  allow,  to  the  church  in  Georgia  in  the 
absence  of  their  pastor,  and  to  destitute  churches  in  the  vicinity. 
On  the  twenty-fifth  of  December,  1855,  he  departed  this  life,  in  the 
triumphs  of  faith.  Father  Mears  was  sociable  and  agreeable  in 
his  manners,  he  was  an  excellent  singer,  and  an  able  preacher  and 
eminently  qualified  to  do  good.  He  entered  upon  the  ministry 
without  education,  but  he  had  a  refined  taste  and  a  strong  memory. 
He  was  studious  in  his  habits,  scholarly  in  his  appearance  and 
really  became  quite  a  scholar.  He  acquired  a  thorough  knowledge 
of  English,  and  obtained  also  some  insight  into  the  Greek  and 
Hebrew.  He  also  obtained  some  knowledge  of  the  sciences  and 
became  better  educated  than  many  who  have  obtained  a  college 
diploma. 

The  personal  recollections  of  Elder  ]\Iears'  grandchildren 
give  us  a  vivid  picture  of  this  remarkable  man  in  his  old  age.  Mrs. 
Anna  Sabin  Darwin  writes,  "My  earliest  recollections  of  my 
Grandfather  ]\Iears,  are  of  how  he  looked  as  he  stood  under  the 
pulpit  in  the  'Old  White  Meeting-house'  at  Georgia  Center.  I 
remember  how  white  he  was,  his  face  and  lips  and  hair  like  snow, — 
his  garments,  nicely  fitting  and  black.  I  had  great  reverence  for 
him,  a  feeling  almost  of  awe.  I  was  very  little  acquainted  ^^^th 
him,  and  it  was  hard  to  realize  that  he  was  my  sainted  mother's 
beloved  father.  My  father,  who  preached  then,  always  called  on 
him  to  make  some  remarks  and  offer  the  closing  prayer.  I  thought 
they  were  very  long.  I  thought  sometimes  that  he  criticised  my 
father's  sermons,  but  I  know  my  father  bore  his  criticisms  "VNith 
gratitude,  for  he  had  great  confidence  in  his  wisdom.  Grandfather 
and  grandmother  seemed  very  contented  and  happy  in  their  two 
small  rooms.  I  did  not  like  very  well  to  go  into  their  rooms,  for 
as  soon  as  we  were  seated  around  the  fireplace,  grandpa  questioned 
us  upon  passages  of  Scripture  and  always  asked  me  to  pray.  He 
was  very  fond  of  nmsic.  When  Mr.  Sterritt  taught  singing  school 
in  Georgia,  he  had  nearly  all  of  the  singers  in  his  class.     They 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  335 

learned  many  fine  and  difficult  anthems,  which  grandfather 
greatly  enjoyed.  He  enjoyed  specially  an  alto  solo  that  Katie 
Holmes  used  to  sing.  I  can  hear  it  now  and  see  her  as  she  looked 
in  that  high  gallery,  and  grandpa,  as  he  stood  between  the  carved 
pillars,  almost  transported  by  the  inspiring  notes. 

"He  used  to  make  chairs  to  help  out  on  his  small  salary. 
I  remember  a  large  green  one,  made  from  a  hollow  tree,  and  sta- 
tioned under  a  spreading  willow,  where  he  used  to  sit  and  read  and 
write.  He  wrote  several  tracts,  and  one  upon  baptism.  He  felt 
very  badly  when  father  went  to  Congress.  He  thought  it  was 
too  wicked  a  place  for  a  Gospel  minister,  forgetting  that  when  the 
righteous  rule,  the  people  rejoice." 

Another  grand-daughter,  Mrs.  H.  I.  Parker,  says,  "One  thing 
about  grandpa  impressed  itself  upon  me  so  that  I  have  never 
forgotten  it,  his  great  desire  to  have  young  christians  know  what 
the  passages  they  read  and  committed  1o  memory  meant,  and 
this  made  me  dread  to  call  on  him,  as  he  would  invariably  ask  me 
some  questions  about  this,  not  so  much  of  my  own  experience  as  a 
christian,  but  what  the  Bible  taught  about  certain  things  in  our 
lives.  He  seemed  rather  critical  to  us  then,  but  now  I  know  it 
was  because  he  loved  us  and  was  so  interested  in  our  christiaa 
lives,  and  not  })ecause  he  was  fault-finding." 

An  aged  amit,  who  used  to  live  in  Elder  Sabin's  family, 
writes:  "His  sala»*y  must  have  been  small.  A  brother  minister 
once  called,  near  their  dinner  hour.  Though  he  did  not  see  how  a 
suitable  meal  could  be  prepared,  he  invited  his  guest  to  his  study. 
When  dinner  was  served  it, was  much  better  than  he  expected. 
There  was  a  nice  platter  of  fresh  meat  and  other  things  to  go  with 
it.  When  the  guest  was  gone,  his  wife  told  him  she  did  not  know 
who  brought  it.  A  boy  rode  up  and  handed  it  to  her  and  left  with- 
out speaking.     They  regarded  it  as  a  special  providence." 

The  first  minister  ordained  within  the  hmits  of  the  Lamoille 
Association  was  Elisha  Andrews.  He  came  from  the  state  of 
New  York  to  Fairfax,  in  January,  1793,  a  few  months  after  Elder 
Mears  came  to  Milton.  He  was  ordained  at  Fairfax,  October  3, 
1793.  The  services  were  held  in  the  open  air,  about  two  miles 
north  of  the  village,  near  the  house  long  owned  by  Deacon  Silas 


336  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Safford,  and  where  he  died.  Between  his  house  and  the  barn  was 
a  flat  rock  on  which  the  speakers  stood.  There  in  the  open  air,  on 
this  flat  rock,  beside  the  log  cabin,  in  the  midst  of  a  vast  wilderness, 
the  first  man  in  this  region  was  set  apart  by  solemn  prayer  and 
the  laying  on  of  hands  to  the  great  work  of  the  christian  ministry. 

The  day  was  fine.  The  new  settlers  gathered  from  a  great 
distance,  the  services  were  solemn  and  impressive.  The  great 
Master  was  there  to  witness  the  scene,  and  to  the  few  faint  and 
trembling  disciples,  he  might  have  said,  "  Fear  not,  for  on  this  rock 
I  will  plant  my  church  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against 
it."  The  salary  was  provided  for  the  first  year  in  the  foUow^ng 
manner:  Deacon  Thurston  engaged  to  board  Mr.  Andrews  and  his 
wife;  the  other  members  of  the  church  agreed  to  raise  for  him  five 
dollars  to  purchase  books  and  for  spending  money,  and  also  to 
furnish  wool  and  flax  sufficient  for  their  clothing,  and  his  wife 
was  to  spin  and  weave  it.  By  some  strange  o^■er-s^ght,  this  ar- 
rangement made  no  provision  for  the  hat  or  the  boots;  the  result 
was  that  before  the  year  closed,  they  had  become  the  worse  for 
wear,  and  one  of  his  boots  and  one  of  his  shoes  failed;  therefore  he 
often  preached  with  a  boot  on  one  foot  and  a  shoe  on  the  other. 

Mr.  Andrews  continued  to  preach  in  Fairfax  till  the  winter  of 
179.-5,  when  he  removed  to  Hopkinton,  N.  H.  Thence,  after  four 
or  five  years,  he  removed  to  Templeton,  Mass.,  the  field  of  his 
wndest  influence.  After  his  settlement  in  Templeton  he  became  a 
member  of  the  Leyden  Association.  In  this  manner,  many  of  the 
churches  of  Windliam  County  had  the  benefit  of  his  wise  counsels 
and  rich  experience.  He  continued  to  preach  to  destitute  churches 
in  his  vicinity,  till  near  the  close  of  his  life.  An  attack  of  paralysis 
in  January,  1833,  deprived  him  of  the  use  of  his  right  hand  and, 
although  sixty -three  years  of  age,  he  learned  to  write  legibly  with 
his  left  hand.  He  preached  little  after  this.  His  last  labors  were 
given  to  the  church  in  Royalton,  Mass.  February  3,  1840,  he 
passed  to  his  resc. 

In  personal  appearance  he  was  about  middle  height,  thick  set, 
\^^thout  any  marked  peculiarity.  He  might  have  been  called  a 
grave  man,  but  his  intimate  friends  always  found  him  sociable  and 
communicative.     He  enjoyed  good  health  and  had  uncommon  ca- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  337 

pacity  for  labor  and  power  of  endurance.  His  taste  for  reading  and 
habits  of  study  he  maintained  through  hfe,  by  means  of  which  he 
obtained  an  amount  of  information  and  secured  a  degree  of  culture 
not  attained  by  many  college  graduates.  Besides  attaining  no 
inconsiderable  proficiency  in  Latin,  Greek  and  Hebrew,  he  could 
read  German  with  ease  and  was  well  versed  in  theological  lore. 

He  never  seemed  to  care  much  about  his  dress  or  personal 
appearance  or  even  the  conventional  rules  of  life.  Without  any- 
thing of  studied  refinement,  he  had  still  a  natural  grace  that  made 
him  sufficiently  at  home  in  any  circle.  He  was  not  prodigal  of 
words,  but  he  used  them  with  great  care  and  often  with  great 
power.  Nothing  ever  escaped  his  lips  that  involved  the  slightest 
departure  from  justice  or  delicacy.  He  received  the  honorary 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from  Brown  University,  in  1803. 

Mr.  Andrews  was  well  knowTi  not  only  as  a  preacher,  but  .also 
as  a  vigorous  writer,  chiefly  in  his  owm  denomination  in  defense  of 
their  faith.  The  following  is  a  list  of  his  publications:  "The  Moral 
Tendencies  of  U niversalism, "  "Winchester's  Dialogues  on  Uni- 
versal Restoration,"  "A  Vindication  of  the  distinguishing  senti- 
ments of  the  Baptist  against  the  writing  of  Messrs.  Cowles,  Miller 
and  Edwards."  These  were  all  issued  from  the  press  of  Manning 
&  Loring,  of  Boston,  a  searly  as  1805.  In  1810,  he  published 
"A  Brief  Reply  to  James  Bickerstaff's  Short  Epistle  to  the  Bap- 
tists." At  a  later  period,  "A  Review  of  one  of  John  Wesley's 
tracts  on  falling  from  Grace."  In  18^3,  "Strictures  on  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Brooks'  Essay  on  Terms  of  Communion."  He  contributed 
many  articles  to  the  Christian  Watchman,  chiefly  on  the  Unitarian 
controversy,  over  the  signature  of  "  Gimel. "  He  prepared  for  the 
press  a  "Bible  Dictionary,"  also  a  work  entitled  "Racovius"  or 
the  Rational  Christians,  containing  dialogues  on  the  Unitarian 
controversy,  but  they  were  not  published. 

This  latter  work  was  submitted  by  the  author  to  a  commictee 
on  circular  letter,  at  the  meeting  of  the  Leyden  Association,  in 
Wilmington,  Vt.,  1820,  and  the  committee's  report  was  adopted 
and  is  as  follows:  "Your  committee  have  examined  a  work  written 
by  Brother  Elisha  Andrews,  entitled  'Racovius,  containing  dia- 
logues upon  the  Unitarian  Controversy, '  so  far  as  the  opportunity 


338  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

would  permit,  and  we  are  satisfied  that  it  is  well  worthy  the  patron- 
age of  the  Association." 

In  1805,  Elder  Amos  T utile  was  chosen  pastor  of  the  Fairfax 
church  upon  a  salary'  of  two  hundred  dollars,  to  be  paid  in  good 
merchantable  produce;  to  be  paid  annually  by  the  first  day  in 
January.  The  pay  was  to  be  raised  by  subscription,  but  if  it 
could  not  be  by  subscription,  to  be  raised  on  the  polls  and  estates 
of  the  society.  Deacon  Wiikins  protested  against  the  plan  of 
raising  salary'  by  a  tax,  and  the  church,  in  1809,  after  deliberation, 
passed  the  following:  "Having  examined  the  situation  of  the 
church  as  a  standing  society,  formed  on  the  civil  law,  it  was  their 
opinion  that  the  church  come  off  this  ground,  as  easy  a  way  as 
possible,  and  the  church  pay  the  Elder  Tuttle  two  hundred  dollars 
per  year  in  the  following  articles;  namely,  twenty  dollars  worth 
of  beef,  five  dollars  worth  of  tallow,  fifteen  dollars  worth  of  rye, 
ten  dollars  worth  of  wool,  twenty -five  dollars  worth  of  wheat, 
ten  dollars  worth  of  flax.  The  remainder  to  be  paid  in  arti- 
cles most  convenient  for  the  church." 

In  1811,  the  church,  upon  the  ground  that  it  was  not  able  to 
fulfill  their  contract  with  Elder  Tuttle,  as  to  his  support,  dismissed 
him  from  office  work  in  the  church.  Troublous  times  followed, 
but  the  church  survi^•ed  them  and  was  built  up  for  its  long  and 
useful  career. 

Few  of  the  early  i)ioneers  have  left  any  detailed  account  of 
their  experiences,  traveling  in  the  wilderness,  and  making  a  home 
in  the  new  settlements.  The  following  authentic  account  of  the 
experiences  of  Rev.  Amos  Tuttle  is  doubtless  typical  and  for  that 
reason  has  special  historical  value. 

Elder  Amos  Tuttle 
By  Ins  son,  Capt.  David  Tuttle 

Elder  Amos  Tuttle  was  bom  in  Southbury,  Ct.,  October  31, 
1761;  was  married  to  Rachel  T.  Jones,  June  16,  1782;  lost  a  large 
part  of  his  property  soon  after  his  marriage  through  the  rascality 
of  a  man  in  high  life,  and,  in  1788,  engaged  in  the  boot  and  shoe 
business  in  the  town  of  Washington,  Ct.     He  was  at  that  time  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  339 

noted  infidel,  and  strong  in  argument;  but  soon,  although  there 
was  no  religious  excitement  in  the  neighborhood,  his  attention 
became  powerfully  attracted  to  the  subject  of  personal  religion. 
He  began  to  attend  public  worship  in  an  adjoining  towTi  of  New 
Preston;  experienced  a  change  of  heart,  and  connected  himself 
with  the  Baptist  church  in  New  Preston,  of  which  Rev.  Isaac 
Root  was  pastor.  Soon  after  this  he  prepared  himself  to  preach 
the  Gospel,  and  was  settled  over  a  church  in  Litchfield,  Ct. 

Rev.  Mr.  Root  about  this  time  moved  to  Danville,  Vt.,  and 
was  settled  over  the  First  Baptist  church  there.  Returning  to 
Connecticut  for  a  visit,  he  called  upon  Mr.  Tuttle  and  gave  him 
such  a  description  of  the  beauty  and  fertility  of  Northern  Vermont, 
that  notwithstanding  the  urgent  invitation  of  another  friend 
calling  him  to  western  New  York,  Mr.  Tuttle  concluded  to  visit 
Vermont  the  next  season.  Accordingly,  in  June,  1794,  he  came  to 
Danville  and  thence  to  AValden,  Hardwick,  Greensboro  and  Crafts- 
bury  ;  became  acquainted  with  the  inhabitants,  and  found  a  church 
could  be  organized  from  the  four  last  towTis,  the  majority  of  the 
members  living  in  Hardwick.  A  church  was  formed.  Mr.  Tuttle 
was  called  to  settle,  as  minister  of  the  towTi,  and  accepted. 

In  the  month  of  October,  1795,  he  started  with  his  family 
from  Litchfield  for  Hardwick.  Such  a  journey  in  those  days  was 
a  great  undertaking.  They  were  fifteen  days  on  the  way,  but 
meeting  with  no  more  serious  accident  than  the  breaking  of  a 
wagon,  they  arrived  at  Gilman's,  in  Walden,  during  the  night  of 
the  31st  of  October,  in  the  midst  of  a  hard  rain  storm.  Beds 
were  soon  taken  from  the  wagon  aud  placed  upon  the  floor  of  the 
little  bark-covered  log  house,  and  our  cold  immigrants  lay  dowTi  to 
rest.  There  was  not  a  pane  of  glass  about  the  house  and  so  no 
sign  of  day  appeared  until  the  door  was  opened  in  the  morning. 
Then  day  appeared  indeed,  and  with  it,  to  the  great  surprise  of  all, 
appeared  a  white  mantle  of  snow,  covering  the  ground  to  a  depth 
of  at  least  fifteen  inches.  A  messenger  was  sent  to  Hardwick, 
requesting  the  friends  of  the  family  to  send  teams  to  bring  them 
on  their  journey.  Three  sleds  with  wild  steers  were  sent.  Two 
of  them  were  loaded  with  the  goods  and  the  third  was  fitted  up 
with  boxes  for  seats  and  plenty  of  straw,  to  carry  the  sick,  and 


340  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

weeping  mother  and  children.  Mr.  David  Tuttle,  who  was  then  a 
boy  says,  "As  we  reached  the  bottom  of  the  awful  hill  by  which 
the  Hazen  road  descends  to  the  Lamiolle  River,  the  sleds  stopped, 
that  the  bridge  might  be  repaired.  I  saw  my  mother,  brother 
and  little  sisters,  all  in  tears,  and  shall  never  forget  the  expression 
of  anguish  wath  which  my  mother  said,  '  Dear  husband,  where  are 
you  taking  me.  I  shall  die  and  what  will  become  of  the  children.' 
It  sobered  me  for  the  rest  of  that  day  and  brings  tears  to  my  eyes 
now  in  my  old  age  as  I  relate  it." 

They  turned  off  of  the  Hazen  road  near  where  L.  H.  Delano 
now  resides,  followed  a  narrow  sled  path,  which  wound  through 
the  woods,  crossed  the  Tuttle  brook  at  a  place  above  where  the 
road  now  crosses,  ascended  the  steep  bank  by  doubling  the  teams 
and  passed  through  the  burnt  slash  to  the  house  of  Mark  Morris. 

The  journey  being  thus  safely  over,  the  next  care  of  our 
pioneer  pastor  was  to  find  a  house  for  his  family.  There  was  an 
empty  log  shanty  to  be  had,  but  it  was  much  out  of  repair.  Mr. 
Tuttle  was  strong  and  healthy,  however,  and  with  the  aid  of 
friends,  he  succeeded  by  the  middle  of  November  in  making  it 
habitable.  There  was,  to  be  sure,  neither  windows  nor  cupboards, 
nor  chimney,  and  the  hut  itself  was  only  twelve  feet  by  fifteen, 
but  he  cut  some  holes  through  the  logs  and  pasted  oiled  paper 
over  them  for  windows,  and  the  smoke  found  its  own  way  upward. 

A  successful  hunt  on  snow  shoes  on  the  West  Hill,  in  which 
three  moose  were  killed  by  his  party,  provided  the  family  with 
meat  for  a  time.  He  was  so  fortunate  also  as  to  procure  a  bushel 
of  salt  of  a  peddler  l)y  paying  five  dollars  in  cash.  The  price  of  salt 
must  have  risen  higher  still,  or  else  money  must  have  become 
scarce,  for  next  year  he  paid  six  bushels  of  wheat  for  one  of  salt, 
and  this  in  preference  to  paying  three  dollars  in  cash. 

After  thus  providing  for  the  creature  comforts,  the  next 
question  seems  to  have  been  how  to  get  about  his  parish.  His 
gumption  soon  found  a  way.  A  "Tom  Pung"  as  he  called  it, 
was  hewed  out  and  put  together  with  pins  and  rods,  and  the 
pieces  of  rope,  which  had  been  used  as  binders  on  the  journey,  he 
made  into  a  harness,  sufficient  at  least  to  fasten  the  horse  to  the 
pung  and  to  guide  him  through  the  woods. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  341 

The  town  of  Hardwick  was  organized  on  March  31,  1795.  In 
April,  1796,  the  town  met  and  voted  to  unite  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  setthng  Mr.  Tuttle,  as  the  minister  of  the  town.  He 
was  installed  in  June,  following.  The  people  being  poor,  it  was 
agreed  that  he  should  receive  no  salary  during  the  first  four  years. 
By  a  provision  of  the  to■w^l  charter,  however,  he  was  entitled  to  draw 
three  lots  of  land,  as  the  first  minister  of  the  town.  One  of  these 
lots  he  sold  for  a  little  money  and  a  little  wheat,  to  be  paid  in  four 
instalments. 

Soon  after  his  installation  he  went  to  work  to  clear  a  piece  of 
land  and  build  himself  a  log  house.  By  the  middle  of  November, 
he  completed  the  work,  and  in  just  one  year  from  the  time  when 
the  family  first  huddled  themselves  into  the  little  hut,  they  moved 
into  the  largest  and  best  log  house  in  the  town,  thirty-two  feet  by 
fifteen.  The  Sabbath  worship  was  held  in  this  house  during  the 
winter  months  and  in  barns  in  different  parts  of  the  town  during 
the  summer. 

The  course  of  church  life  in  Hardwick  was  not  smooth.  The 
church  became  divided,  much  to  the  grief  of  Mr.  Tuttle.  He  con- 
tinued to  preach  in  the  town  to  a  Congregational  church  for  a  time, 
and,  in  1806,  accepted  a  call  to  the  church  in  Fairfax.  That  was  a 
year  of  grace  to  that  church,  sixty -five  being  received  by  baptism. 
This  pastorate  continued  till  1811.  After  this  Mr.  Tuttle  labored 
as  an  evangelist,  visiting  most  of  the  towns  in  Vermont,  and  many 
of  the  townships  bordering  on  the  line  in  Canada.  During  this 
time  he  made  his  home  in  Hardwick,  but  afterward  removed 
again  to  Fairfax,  where  he  remained  till  the  death  of  his  wife, 
when  he  returned  to  Hardwick  to  spend  the  remainder  of  his  days 
with  his  son,  in  the  same  house  which  his  o^vn  hands  had  built  in 
the  vigor  of  his  early  manhood. 

He  died  in  February,  1833,  aged  seventy-two  years. 


Chapter  XX 

THE    RICHMOND,    FAIRFIELD,    ONION    RIVER    AND 
LAMOILLE  ASSOCIATIONS 


The  first  church  to  make  a  definite  proposition  and  to  take 
steps  to  test  the  question,  whether  the  churches  in  this  part  of  the 
State  were  ready  to  unite  in  an  association,  was  the  Richmond 
church.  On  the  time-stained  record  of  this  mother  church,  under 
date  of  August  23, 1795,  is  the  following  minute: 

"Voted:  That  Elder  Wilmarth  write  letters  in  the  name  of  the 
church  to  the  different  churches  to  have  them  send  delegates  to 
this  place,  to  see  if  we  can 't  form  into  an  association. " 

"October  3,  1795,  the  church  voted  that  Elder  Wilmarth, 
Deacon  Everts  and  Brother  John  Page,  be  delegates  to  represent 
the  church  in  the  convention  to  see  if  we  can't  form  into  an  as- 
sociation." August  19,  1796,  the  church  made  choice  of  Deacon 
Everts,  and  Brother  Hulburt,  to  attend  the  Association  at  Cam- 
bridge, to  be  holden  on  Wednesday,  the  30th  of  August,  instant. 

The  decision  of  the  Convention  was  that  it  was  possible  and 
desirable  to  form  into  an  association.  Whether  they  limited  their 
work  to  the  settlement  of  the  question  they  were  invited  to  con- 
sider, and  the  fixing  on  a  time  for  the  first  meeting  of  the  proposed 
association,  or  immediately  organized  and  adopted  a  constitution 
and  held  a  meeting  of  an  associational  order,  we  do  not  know.  The 
fact  that  the  name,  Richmond  Conference,  was  chosen,  and  the 
tradition  that  Richmond  was  the  place  of  the  organization  of  the 
body,  favor  the  first  supposition.  If  so,  1795  is  the  birth  year,  and 
Richmond,  the  birth-place  of  the  Association.  If,  as  is  possible, 
they  simply  came  to  an  understanding,  and  made  an  appointment 
for  an  association  to  be  held  the  following  year,  1796  is  the  birth- 


344  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

year,  and  Cambridge  the  place  where  the  Richmond  Conference, 
or  Association,  was  organized. 

The  churches  represented  in  this  first  association  were: 
Fairfax,  Cambridge,  Richmond,  Essex  and  Westford. 

The  years  immediately  following  the  organization  of  the  As- 
sociation were  fruitful  ones.  Revivals  occurred  in  several  places. 
The  Association  grew  rapidly  by  the  accession  of  new  churches. 
In  1804,  there  \\ere  enrolled  fifteen  churches,  with  a  member- 
ship of  six  hundred  and  thirteen.  In  1810,  there  were  seventeen 
churches  and  eight  hundred  and  ten  members.  These  churches 
were  Richmond,  Fairfax,  Essex,  Cambridge,  Westford,  Swanton, 
Johnson,  Richford,  Fairfield,  Addison,  Berkshire,  Georgia,  Sutton, 
Hatley  and  Stanstead,  Derby,  St.  Armand  and  Stanbridge. 

Early  pastors  in  the  Association  were  men  of  ability.  Among 
them  were:  Elisha  Andrews,  Joseph  Call,  Roswell  Mears,  William 
Marsh,  Stephen  Holmes,  Amos  Tuttle,  Ezra  Butler,  David  Boyn- 
ton,  Isaac  Sawyer,  Jesse  and  Samuel  Smith,  Samuel  Churchill, 
Moses  Wares,  and  Roswell  Smith.  Among  the  laymen,  were  the 
Cresseys  of  Fairfax,  Deacon  Andrews  of  Richmond,  in  whose  barn 
the  Association  met  in  1805,  Deacon  David  Campbell  of  Swanton, 
Deacon  David  Churchill  of  Fairfield,  and  Nathaniel  Blood  of 
Essex.  As  a  prince  among  the  laymen,  was  one  of  fine  physique 
and  gentlemanly  bearing,  a  close  listener  and  of  few  words,  but 
whose  words,  when  uttered,  were  of  unusual  clearness  and  elegance, 
a  fine  presiding  oflScer  of  remarkable  judicial  and  executive  ability, 
— J.  D.  Farnsworth,  long  known  since  as  Judge  Farnsworth. 
These  were  some  of  the  fathers  of  this  Association. 

On  the  I'^th  of  June,  1812,  war  was  declared  between  the 
United  Stales  and  Great  Britain.  The  Association  had  been  ap- 
pointed to  meet  that  year  at  Stanbridge,  Canada.  As  the  time 
approached,  the  brethren  began  to  inquire,  wath  no  little  solicitude, 
whether  it  would  be  safe  to  cross  the  border  for  that  purpose. 
They  corresponded  with  the  Canadian  brethren.  The  loving  rela- 
tion between  the  churches  was  not  in  the  least  strained,  but  on  the 
whole,  it  was  deemed  more  prudent  not  to  go.  Instead,  the 
churches  on  this  side  of  the  line  met  at  the  time  appointed,  the  third 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  345 

Wednesday  in  September,  in  Fairfield.  Fourteen  churches  were 
represented :  Richmond,  Georgia,  Westf  ord,  Berkshire,  Cambridge, 
Swanton,  Essex  and  Jericho,  Fairfax,  Fairfield,  Enosburg,  Milton, 
and  Morristown.  The  latter  church  united  at  this  time.  A  new 
Association  was  organized  under  the  name  of  the  Fairfield  Associa- 
tion, adopting  the  constitution,  articles  of  faith,  rules  of  decorum, 
and  general  regulations  of  the  Richmond  Association. 

During  the  years  from  1812  to  1834,  fourteen  new  churches 
were  organized:  Morristown,  Milton,  Colchester,  Fletcher,  Jericho, 
Montgomery  Center,  North  Fairfax,  Sterling,  North  Fairfield, 
Enosburg  Falls,  Williston,  Huntington,  Stanbridge  and  Burlington. 

In  1834,  the  Association  included  twenty -six  churches,  with  a 
membership  of  one  thousand,  five  hundred  and  ninety-one.  The 
territory  was  large  and  the  delegates  were  sometimes  compelled 
to  travel  from  fifty  to  seventy-five  miles  to  attend  the  meetings 
of  the  Association.  On  this  account  alone,  it  was  thought  advisable 
to  divide  the  Association.  This  was  done.  The  Lamoille  River 
was  made  the  dividing  line.  The  northern  part  retained  the  name 
of  The  Fairfield  Association,  the  southern  took  the  name  of  The 
Onion  River  Association. 

The  Fairfield  branch  met  at  Fairfield.  Three  new  churches 
were  received:  Montgomery,  Dunham,  and  Lapraire,  bringing  the 
number  of  churches  to  fifteen,  with  nine  pastors. 

The  spiritual  condition  of  these  churches  was  for  a  time  dis- 
couragingly  low.  Additions  by  baptism  were  few.  In  1838,  but 
one  baptism  was  reported  in  the  whole  Association.  The  year  fol- 
lowing, there  were  one  hundred  and  sixty;  the  next,  one  hundred 
and  two;  and  in  1843,  there  were  one  hundred  and  fifty-one 
baptisms. 

The  Onion  River  branch  was  organized  at  Waterbury,  and 
was  composed  of  seventeen  churches,  mostly  in  Chittenden 
county.  These  were:  Jericho,  Essex,  Richmond,  Johnson,  Cam- 
bridge, Morristowni,  Hinesburg,  Sterling,  Williston,  Milton,  Hunt- 
ington, Waterbury,  Westford,  Waitsfield,  Burlington  and  Col- 
chester. It  had  eleven  ministers  and  about  nine  hundred  and 
forty  members.  These  churches  reported  each  year  a  fair  number 
of  baptisms,  especially  the  years,  1840,  1842  and  1843,  when  the 


346  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

numbers  were  respectively,  one   hundred  and  thirteen,  sixty-six, 
and  one  hundred  and  twelve. 

In  their  minutes  of  1843,  is  one  item  of  melancholy  interest, 
announcing  the  extinction  of  the  Richmond  church,  whose  efforts, 
in  1795,  resulted  in  the  organization  of  the  Association. 

Judging  from  the  minutes  alone,  one  would  suppose  that  the 
old  Fairfield  Association  had  peacefully  divided,  and  that  each 
branch  was  growing  independently  and  content  with  the  change. 
But  one  who  was  an  attendant  upon  these  meetings,  tells  us  that 
the  result  of  the  division  was  that  the  whole  old  Association  met 
at  both  places,  and  neither  could  be  satisfied,  unless  all  were  to- 
gether, and  this  state  of  things  continued,  with  little  or  no  abate- 
ment, until  1844,  when  a  resolution  was  adopted  by  both  associa- 
tions, at  the  suggestion  of  the  Onion  River  Association,  that  they 
reunite  on  their  common  constitution,  and  that  the  nsLine  Lamoille 
Association,  be  adopted.  Elder  Sabin  says  that  the  reason  for  re- 
uniting the  two  associations  was,  "first,  they  could  not  get  apart; 
and  second,  when  they  were  all  together,  it  made  a  large  assembly 
and  a  good  variety  of  gifts,  and  ministers  and  brethren  from  abroad 
could  afford  to  visit  us,  and  the  churches  that  entertained  the  As- 
sociation preferred  that  there  should  be  a  good  congregation  at 
their  place,  and  it  encouraged  their  own  brethren  to  see  so  many 
who  were  sustammg  the  same  banner  of  Jesus  with  themselves. 
Then,  in  our  societies,  formed  in  connection  with  the  Association, 
a  parallel  advantage  was  gained. "  The  union  of  the  two  Associa- 
tions was  effected  in  September,  1847.  Then  began  the  history  of 
the  Lamoille  Association. 

When  the  Association  took  the  name  of  The  Lamoille  Associa- 
tion, it  consisted  of  twenty-seven  churches,  namely:  Burlington, 
Cambridge,  Colchester,  Essex,  Enosburg,  Enosburg  Falls,  West 
Enosburg,  North  Fairfax,  South  Fairfax,  North  Fairfield,  South 
Fairfield,  East  Fairfield,  Fletcher,  Georgia,  Huntington,  Hines- 
burg,  Jericho,2nd  Jericho,  Johnson,  Milton,  Montgomery,  Swanton, 
Waitsfield,  Waterbury,  Westford,  Williston.  The  pastors  were: 
M.  G.  Hodge,  J.  C.  Bryant,  L.  A.  Dunn,  I.  Huntley,  M.  N. 
Stearns,  A.  Sabin,  D.  Sabin,  W^m.  S.  Hurlburt,  I.  I.  Cressey, 
J.  P.  Hall,  J.  Morrain,  R.  A.  Hodge,  J.  Cressey. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  347 

Of  these  churches,  nine  have  become  extinct.  Meanwhile, 
others  have  been  organized  and  weak  ones  have  put  on  strength. 
Burhngton,  for  many  years  a  weak  and  struggling  interest,  has 
come  to  a  position  of  commanding  influence.  The  Richford,  built 
out  of  the  ruins  of  earlier  organizations,  has  lived.  The  St. 
Albans  has  come  into  existence,  the  Essex  Junction,  also,  and  East 
Franklin. 

One  of  the  oldest  churches  had  a  noteworthy  resurrection. 

The  Westf ord  church  had  the  appearance  of  a  dead  church . 
Its  services  were  discontinued,  its  meeting-house  was  closed,  and 
the  weeds  had  grown  high  between  the  stones  about  the  door. 
But  one  day  a  little  company  of  five,  four  of  them  members  of  one 
family,  came  to  the  house  praying  that  it  might  be  opened.  For 
a  time  it  seemed  doubtful  if  they  could  obtain  the  key.  Mean- 
while, one  of  the  sisters  pulled  the  weeds  about  the  door,  and  then 
knelt  upon  the  threshold,  and  prayed  that  the  door  might  be 
opened,  and  had  the  assurance  that  it  would  be.  The  key  was 
brought  and  the  little  company  entered  and  prayed  that  God 
would  awaken  the  remnant  of  the  church  and  send  someone  to 
lead  it  as  a  shepherd.  The  prayers  were  soon  answered.  Rev. 
Thomas  Tellier  was  soon  secured;  the  church  quickened;  the  house 
opened  and  renovated;  a  parsonage  and  horse  sheds  built,  and  the 
church  strengthened  in  numbers  and  resources. 

From  1852,  for  fifteen  years,  the  New  Hampton  Institute  ex- 
erted a  powerful  influence  over  the  Association.  Its  professors  and 
students  were  ready  to  do  any  service,  anywhere  it  was  needed. 
They  went  out  holding  meetings  in  schoolhouses  and  supplying 
destitute  churches,  giving  evidence  of  their  consecration  and  ability. 
Among  these  faithful  helpers  of  the  churches  these  names  are 
worthy  of  record:  L.  B.  Steele,  Peter  Frenyear,  L.  B.  Barker, 
D.  C.  Bixby,  A.  S.  Gilbert,  J.  G.  Lorimer,  W.  G.  Schofield,  P.  C. 
Abby,  President  E.  B.  Smith,  and  Dr.  James  Upham. 

The  rise  and  decline  of  the  French  churches  of  Montgomery, 
Enosburg,  and  Richford,  and  the  French  Mission  in  Burlington, 
make  an  interesting  chapter  in  the  history  of  this  Association. 

The  Civil  war,  from  1861  to  1865,  caused  these  churches  much 
anxiety   and   suffering.     In    1864,   the  Fairfax   church   reported: 


348  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

"We  have  sent  one  hundred  and  three,  including  students  and 
transient  hearers,  to  the  battle  field,  thirteen  church  members. 
Nine  members,  thirteen  in  the  congregation  and  seventeen  m  the 
army,  have  died  during  the  year." 

In  common  with  the  other  associations,  this  suffered  from  dis- 
ciplinary trials — The  Wasliington  Temperance  Society,  Free- 
masonry, Millerism,  Davidsonism,  Truarism,  and  so  forth. 

Counteracting  these  came  gracious  revivals.  In  1815  and 
1816,  Georgia  enjoyed  a  great  revival  and  sixty  were  added,  among 
them,  four  young  men,  who  afterward  became  ministers.  These 
were  Alvah  Sabin,  Daniel  Sabin,  Joseph  Ballard,  and  Paul 
Richards. 

The  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention  rendered  noble  ser- 
vice, in  this  then  destitute  field,  sending  here:  Marvdn  Grow, 
Harvey  Clark,  John  Ide,  Wm.  Arthur,  and  Ezra  Fisher.  In 
1830,  John  Ide  was  sent  to  Richford.  He  found  the  church  in 
difficulty,  and  after  preaching  Saturday  evening  and  three  times 
Sunday,  he  met  the  church  on  Monday  at  12  o'clock,  and  continued 
the  meeting  till  two  o'clock  the  next  morning,  and  had  the  hap- 
piness of  seeing  every  trial  removed  and  peace  and  harmony  re- 
stored. 

The  year  1823,  was  marked  by  a  discussion,  growing  out  of  a 
proposition  by  the  Northwestern  Congregational  Union  to  the 
Fairfield  Association,  for  a  conference  upon  the  expediency  of 
forming  a  union  between  the  Congregational  and  Baptist  denomi- 
nations, in  the  vicinity  of  the  two  associations.  The  full  account 
of  this  conference  is  printed  in  the  minutes  of  the  Association  and 
in  the  Missionary  Magazine,  and  is  a  notable  bit  of  denominational 
history. 

This  Association,  like  the  others,  while  not  assuming  authority 
over  any  of  the  churches,  has  claimed  and  exercised  the  right  to 
decide  for  itself  what  churches  shall  be  eligible  to  membership, 
and  to  be  a  counsellor  to  the  churches  within  its  bounds.  In 
1803,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  labor  with  the  Cambridge 
church,  and  the  church  refused  to  hear  the  Association.  The 
Association,  at  the  next  session,  withdrew  the  hand  of  fellowship. 
It  is  probable  that  this  action  had  salutary  effect,  as  shortly  after, 
the  name  of  the  church  is  found  in  the  list  as  usual.      In  1809, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  349 

upon  request  of  the  Westford  church,  the  Association  advised  them 
to  call  a  council,  and  the  advice  was  followed,  and  the  church  con- 
tinued in  the  fellowship  of  the  Association.  In  1813,  a  committee 
was  appointed  to  look  into  the  situadon  at  Berkshire,  and  to  in- 
quire after  the  character  of  their  former  pastor.  The  inquiry  re- 
sulted in  finding  the  current  charges  against  the  minister  unfounded. 
In  1818,  the  church  in  Morristown  excluded  their  pastor.  The 
Association  instituted  inquiry  and  reported,  justifying  the  action 
of  the  church,  and  took  steps  to  warn  another  Association  against 
the  unworthy  minister. 

The  church  in  Colchester  was  visited  in  1840,  and  the  Rich- 
mond church  in  1841.  In  1842,  the  church  in  Fletcher  did  not 
report  to  the  Association,  and  by  verbal  report  it  was  learned  that 
the  cause  was  "internal  commotion."  A  committee  was  at  once 
appointed  to  visit  and  advise  the  church. 

The  latest  action  of  the  Association  in  this  line,  was  in  1889, 
when  the  St.  Albans  church  was  advised  by  the  aid  of  itself,  or  a 
council,  to  investigate  current  reports  affecting  the  moral  character 
of  their  recent  pastor.     The  church  followed  the  advice  given. 

As  a  natural  outgrowth  of  this  mutual  interest  of  the  churches 
in  each  other  and  of  the  power  of  the  x\ssociation  to  assist  the 
weak,  it  soon  took  the  character  of  a  missionary  organization. 
Plans  were  laid  as  early  as  1804,  that  the  pastors  of  the  As- 
sociation might  spend  all  their  time  preaching  to  all  the  churches. 
In  1818,  the  Association  appointed  a  committee  of  five,  who  were 
instructed  to  form  themselves  into  a  board  for  soliciting  and  rais- 
ing money,  and  other  property,  for  the  purpose  of  employing  one 
or  more  Gospel  ministers  in  destitute  places  within  the  Association 
and  elsewhere.  It  obtained  for  a  time  the  services  of  Elder  Eph- 
raim  Sawyer,  whom  Elder  Sabin  described  as  "a  man  of  limited 
education,  but  with  a  thorough  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and 
a  large  acquaintance  with  all  classes  of  men,  and  a  correct  knowl- 
edge of  the  Bible,  and  a  consistent  theory  of  reKgion. "  It  also  em- 
ployed in  1824,  Elder  Phineas  Culver,  and  at  another  time.  Elder 
Isaac  Sawyer.  It  sometimes  established  circuits  by  which  destitute 
churches  were  supplied.  Since  the  organization  of  the  State  Con- 
vention, it  has  worked  through  it  and  in  harmony  with  it  to  help 
the  weaker  churches. 


350  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  Association  responded  to  the  call  that  was  voiced  by 
Luther  Rice,  in  1814,  for  help  on  the  foreign  field.  Agents  were  ap- 
pointed to  collect  funds  and  a  board  was  formed  to  dispose  of  the 
contributions. 

In  1825,  a  Missionary  Society  was  organized  in  the  Associa- 
tion, collectors  appointed  in  every  chiu-ch,  and  four  agents  ap- 
pointed to  convey  their  collections  to  the  treasurer  of  the  Associa- 
tion, In  1824,  the  Association  organized  a  Tract  Society,  which 
did  not  prove  as  useful  as  expected  and  was  discontinued  in  1836. 
In  1852,  the  Lamoille  Sabbath  School  L'nion  was  organized  to 
promote  that  important  agency  for  the  upbuilding  of  the  churches. 
After  the  Vermont  Branch  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education 
Society  was  merged  as  a  department  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State 
Convention  in  1843,  the  brethren  of  this  Association  organized 
the  Lamoille  Education  Society,  which  for  several  years  was  able 
to  assist  two  or  three  young  men  in  their  studies.  The  New  Hamp- 
ton Institution,  and  the  Northern  Educational  Union,  In  its  support, 
were  in  close  relation  with  this  Association,  being  within  its  bounds, 
and  especially  helpful  to  its  churches. 

Another  feature  of  the  benevolent  work  of  the  Association  has 
been  the  care  of  its  destitute  ministers.  In  1827,  the  Association 
contributed  to  the  family  of  Ephraim  Sa^^yer,  at  the  time  of  his 
sickness  and  death.  Elder  Luther  Cole,  when  mfirm  aid  destitute, 
was  aided  l)y  a  contribution,  annually,  from  1806,  till  his  death  in 
1871.  Annual  collections  continued  to  be  taken  and  a  fund  ac- 
cumulated, amounting  to  $280.43,  which  in  1888,  was  transferred 
to  the  Ministers '  Aid  Society  of  Vermont. 

Statistics 

Lamoille  Association   1847-1912 

Baptisms 4,329 

Received  l)y  Letter 2,076 

Received  by  Res.  and  Ex 418 

Dismissed 2,552 

Died 1,735 

Excluded  and  Dro])j)ed 1,349 

Benevolent  Contributions   $108,137.00 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  351 


Onion  River  Association 

The  life  of  the  Onion  River  Association  was  so  brief  that  the 
story  of  it  may  be  told  somewhat  in  detail.  The  decision  to  divide 
the  Fairfield  Association  and  form  the  new  one  was  very  delib- 
erately taken,  after  careful  consideration,  by  a  large  committee, 
at  a  special  session  held  in  Fairfax,  the  second  Wednesday  in  No- 
vember, 1884. 

The  first  meeting  of  the  new  Association  was  held  in  Water- 
bury,  the  first  Wednesday  in  September,  1835.  The  churches 
which  composed  it,  were  in  the  towns  of  Essex,  Jericho,  Richmond, 
Cambridge,  Westford,  MorristowTi,  Hinesburg,  WilKston,  Milton, 
Waterbury,  Huntington,  and  Sterling.  The  churches  were  favored 
with  the  labors  of  nine  pastors  and  contained  nine  hundred 
and  twenty-seven  members. 

During  the  first  year,  the  little  church  in  Sterling,  which  had 
numbered  but  six  members,  received  twenty-three  by  baptism. 
This  was  the  bright  spot  in  the  Association,  the  rest  appearing  to 
be  depressed.  But  thirty -three  were  received  by  baptism  in  the 
whole  Association  and  twenty -four  by  letter. 

The  resolutions  passed  at  this  session  were  upon  temperance 
moral  reform,  ministerial  education  and  world  wide  missions. 

The  second  session  was  held  in  Johnson.  The  churches  in 
Westford,  Waitsfield  and  Colchester,  had  received  fifty -five  by 
baptism.  There  were  additions  to  the  Association  of  eighty-seven 
l>y  baptism  and  thirty-seven  by  letter. 

The  third  session  was  at  Hinesburg.  The  jVIiddlesex  church 
joined  it  (afterward  uniting  \\dth  the  Waitsfield  church) .  Additions, 
twenty-one  by  baptism;  twenty-six  by  letter. 

The  fourth  session  was  in  Waitsfield.  The  year  had  been  un- 
marked by  any  special  interest. 

The  next  year  at  Colchester,  the  Association  held  a  most  en- 
couraging and  pleasant  session.  Almost  half  the  churches  had 
enjoyed  revivals;  one  hundred  and  ninety-seven  had  been  baptized 
and  twenty -four  added  by  letter.  The  membership  of  the  Associa- 
tion had  reached  one  thousand,  sixty-six. 


352  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  sixth  and  last  session  was  held  at  Westford  in  1840.  At 
the  time  of  this  session,  the  state  of  religion  was  low  in  the  churches, 
owing  to  the  waves  of  public  excitement,  which  in  quick  succession 
were  affecting  the  people.  This  feeling,  however,  had  not  char- 
acterized the  whole  year,  which  had  been  more  fruitful  than  most 
years,  one  hundred  and  thirteen  having  been  added  by  baptism, 
and  forty -five  by  letter,  bringing  the  membership  up  to  one  thou- 
sand, one  hundred  and  seventy -four. 

The  churches  in  this  body,  in  1840,  were  generally  poor;  more 
than  half  of  them  were  destitute  of  preaching.  Only  three  churches 
were  favored  with  preaching  all  the  time.  The  fifteen  churches 
had  but  seven  to  break  to  them  the  Bread  of  Life.  They  resolved 
to  reunite  with  the  other  churches,  from  which  they  had  separated, 
and  form  the  Lamoille  Association. 

Timothy  Spaulding  was  one  of  the  first  laborers  in  this  As- 
sociation. He  was  a  man  of  superior  talents,  humble  and  faithful, 
and  zealous.  He  removed  from  this  part  of  the  country  and  went 
West,  and  there,  as  in  the  churches  of  New  England,  he  plead  the 
cause  of  the  oppressed,  and  when  every  sanctuary  was  closed  against 
him,  and  no  suitable  place  was  opened  to  him,  where  he  could  advo- 
cate the  inalienable  rights  of  the  doA\n-trodden  of  our  land,  like 
his  Saviour  and  like  the  early  heralds  of  the  Cross,  he  showed  the 
people  their  transgressions  in  the  open  fields.  Not  being  inured 
to  the  hardships  of  this  nature,  he  soon  sickened  and  died. 

The  zeal  with  which  he  worked  and  the  pathetic  circumstances 
of  his  death,  enshrined  his  name  with  peculiar  sanctity  in  the  mem- 
ory of  the  Baptists  of  this  Association  and  of  the  churches  of  Ver- 
mont, generally. 


Chapter   XXI 

CHURCHES  OF  THE  LAMOILLE  ASSOCIATION 
Fairfax 

The  first  Baptist  meeting  in  Fairfax  was  probably  held  in 
June,  1790,  conducted  by  Deacon  John  Cressey,  and  from  this  time 
up  to  September,  1792,  a  few  brethren  and  sisters  met  occasionally 
to  worship,  in  a  log  house,  about  a  mile  from  the  village,  now  known 
as  the  Safford  neighborhood.  In  September,  1792,  the  first  Bap- 
tist church  in  Fairfax  was  organized,  consisting  of  twenty-five  mem- 
bers, among  them,  John  Cressey,  Martha  Cressey,  Eunice  Barrett, 
Shaloma  Squires,  Subriette  Heart,  Joseph  Call,  Stephen  Churchill, 
Naomi  Cressey,  Luther  Cressey. 

October  3,  1793,  was  the  first  ordination  in  Fairfax.  Elisha 
Andrews  was  ordained  pastor.  The  salary  agreed  upon,  was  board 
and  clothes  for  himself  and  wife  and  five  dollars  for  books.  Mr. 
Andrews'  work  continued  but  one  year.  After  him,  came  a  Gospel 
worker,  going  from  house  to  house,  stirring  the  people  up  spiritually. 
That  young  man  was  Ephraim  Butler,  who  afterward  became  a 
minister  and  preached  the  Gospel  for  more  than  fifty  years. 

The  church  was  incorporated  on  October  25,  1797.  At  the 
first  meeting  of  the  society.  Rev.  Amos  Tuttle  was  called  to  the 
pastorate,  and  it  was  voted  to  give  him  one  piece  of  land  worth 
$400,  as  a  settlement,  and  $200  as  salary,  to  be  paid  yearly  in  good 
merchantable  produce.  Mr.  Tuttle  was  installed  August  6,  1806. 
That  year  was  a  glorious  one  for  Fairfax.  Sixty -five  were  received 
to  membership  by  baptism.  The  years  1807-1816,  were  a  dark 
period.  Most  of  the  time  in  the  meetings  was  taken  up  in  dis- 
ciplinary inquiry  and  action.  Even  the  pastor  was  called  to 
account  for  speaking  publicly,  in  a  manner  that  implicated  his 
rulers. 

In  1809,  Deacon  Wilkins  refused  to  commune  with  the  church 
because  the  minister  was  settled  on  civil  law,  and  his  salary  raised 


354  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

by  tax  on  the  estimated  property  of  the  members.  The  church 
came  off  that  ground  as  speedily  as  possible.  Agreement  was 
made  with  Elder  Tuttle  that  he  should  receive  $200  in  the  follow- 
ing articles:  $20  worth  of  pork;  $15  worth  of  beef;  $5  worth  of 
tallow;  $15  worth  of  rye;  $10  worth  of  wool;  $25  worth  of  wheat; 
$10  worth  of  flax.  The  remainder  to  be  paid  in  articles  most  con- 
venient for  the  church.  Later  it  was  found  impossible  to  keep  this 
agreement  and  Elder  Tuttle  was  dismissed.  The  next  trial  came 
from  John  Cressey,  complaining  that  some  of  the  members  had 
joined  the  Washingtonian  Temperance  Society,  a  secret  organiza- 
tion. The  outcome  was  the  exclusion  of  ten  members,  who  were 
afterward  recalled,  the  church  confessing  that  it  had  not  acted  in  a 
spirit  of  brotherly  love.  In  1816,  an  interesting  revival  was  en- 
joyed and  twenty-four  were  baptized.  Elder  Tuttle  became 
pastor  again  in  1817,  after  an  absence  of  five  years,  during  which 
the  church  had  been  without  a  pastor. 

In  1820,  a  controversy  began  as  to  the  validity  of  baptism, 
if  performed  by  any  but  a  Baptist  minister  in  regular  membership 
in  a  Baptist  church.  The  controversy  was  hot  and  long,  resulting 
in  the  withdrawal  of  thirty  members,  including  the  pastor,  who 
was  afterward  excluded  l)y  the  church.  Various  efforts  at  recon- 
ciliation were  made,  which  finally  succeeded,  and  a  great  revival 
followed. 

From  the  time  of  Elder  Tuttle 's  withdrawal,  1820  to  1830, 
the  church  had  preaching  only  occasionally,  by  Ephraim  Butler 
and  Roswell  Mears.  In  1830,  Jeremiah  Hall  was  chosen  pastor, 
and  he  proved  a  peacemaker.  Mr.  J.  C.  Bryant,  a  licentiate,  sup- 
plied a  few  months  in  1832.  In  1833,  there  was  an  interesting  dis- 
cussion upon  the  subject  of  Freemasonry,  and  that  secret  order 
was  denounced  and  renounced. 

The  Sunday  school  was  organized  in  1833,  and  for  many  years 
a  prayer  meeting  was  sustained  once  a  month  in  place  of  the  Sun- 
day school  lesson.  In  1837,  Rev.  Simon  Fletcher  was  hired  for 
one  year.  In  October,  1839,  Rev.  C.  W.  Hodge  commenced  a 
series  of  meetings,  which  resulted,  in  the  course  of  ten  weeks,  in  the 
reception  of  thirty-one  by  baptism.  Mr.  Hodges  became  pastor 
and  served   two  years.     In    1841,   a  parsonage  was  purchased. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  355 

April  23,  1843,  Rev.  Lewin  A.  Dunn  was  engaged  as  pastor,  half 
the  time  for  six  months.  Thus  began  a  pastorate  which  con- 
tinued twenty-eight  years.  In  1846,  a  new  church  edifice  was  built. 
Elder  Dunn  acting  as  engineer  and  overseer. 

An  incident  connected  with  the  building  of  this  house  is  of 
special  interest.     The  necessity  of  a  new^  house  of  worship  had  be- 
come so  impressed  upon  the  mind  of  Mr.  Dunn  that  he  decided, 
if  this  could  not  be  done,  his  work  with  this  church  would  soon 
cease.     It  was  decided  that  if  suitable  stone  for  the  l^asement  could 
be  obtained,  the  house  would  be  built.     Several  efforts  were  made 
to  obtain  the  stone,  which  proved  unsuccessful,  and  the  matter  of 
building  the  new  church  began  to  look  shady.     One  more  effort 
was  to  be  made.     If  a  certain  rock  or  ledge  could  be  broken  suc- 
cessfully,  the  stone  could  be  obtained  and  the  house  built.     This 
would  decide  whether  Elder  Dunn  was  to  remain  longer  as  pastor 
of  the  church.     Elder  Dunn,  with  Osias  Story,  a  mason,  went  forth 
to  test  this  last  plan.     The  holes  were  drilled,  the  wedges  driven, 
but  the  rock  was  not  broken.     The  young  pastor  went  a  little  dis- 
tance from  the  rock  and  sat  down,  heartsick  and  discouraged. 
His  work  appeared  to  be  done.     But  at  length,  a  slight  snapping 
sound  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  the  rock.     He  went  back  to  it. 
The  rock  was  broken  its  entire  length.     His  sorrow  was  turned  into 
joy.     The  little  church  seemed  inspired  with  new  life  and  energy. 
The  edifice  was  completed  in  1849.     Supplication  was  then 
made  for  revival  influences,  and  soon  a  revival  began,  in  which  men 
and  women  and  children  were  converted,  and  the  power  of  the 
Spirit  was  manifested  as  never  in  this  place  before.     In  1850,  there 
were  fifty-nine  additions  by  baptism  and  fourteen  by  letter.     In 
1851,  the  house  was  enlarged.     During  the  years    1850  to  1860, 
inclusive,  one  hundred  and  seventy -two  were  baptized,  and  seventy- 
four  received  by  letter,  the  membership  increasing  from  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-seven  to  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight.     This 
period  includes  the  time  when  New  Hampton  Institution  was 
flourishing,  and  the  students  constituted  a  large  part  of  the  mem- 
bership, and  the  church  was  heartily  at  work  for  the  conversion  of 
the  students.     In  the  period,  1861  to  1871,  inclusive,  the  accessions 
by  baptism  were  one  hundred  and  twenty-nine,  and  by  letter, 


356  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

twenty -nine;  the  membership  attaining  its  maximum  number,  of 
three  hundred  and  forty-six.  The  influence  of  the  church  and  its 
pastor,  through  the  student  body  of  New  Hampton  Institution, 
became  very  strong  and  wide.  In  the  fall  of  1870,  Rev.  H.  G. 
DeWitt  commenced  a  protracted  meeting  with  the  church,  con- 
tinuing several  weeks.  Thirty-six  were  brought  to  Christ  and  were 
baptized ;  four  were  received  by  letter. 

In  the  fall  of  1871,  Elder  Dunn  closed  his  labors  as  pastor  here, 
having  been  pastor  here  twenty-seven  years  and  six  months.  He 
baptized,  while  here,  three  hundred  and  fifty ;  three  successive  years 
he  represented  his  town  in  the  State  legislature.  He  went  from 
Fairfax  to  become  President  of  Pella  University.  In  1861,  and 
again  in  1878,  he  visited  Europe,  Egypt  and  Palestine,  and  pub- 
lished the  story  of  his  travels  in  a  book  entitled,  "  Footprints  of  the 
Redeemer."  His  name  will  long  be  held  in  remembrance  in  the 
community  and  in  the  State,  where  he  did  such  a  commendable 
work. 

Rev.  Jabes  Ferris  supplied  for  six  months;  then,  for  about  six 
months,  the  church  was  without  a  pastor.  In  October,  Rev.  J.  L. 
Webber  became  pastor  and  remained  two  years.  These  are  re- 
ferred to  as  dark  days.  Indeed,  for  the  next  decade,  the  accessions 
were  very  few,  the  losses  by  dismission  and  revision  of  the  roll 
many,  and  the  membership  rapidly  diminished  from  three  hmidred 
and  sixteen  in  1875,  to  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  in  1885.  The 
pastors  during  this  period  were:  De  F.  Safford,  1875-1876;  G.  W. 
Bower,  1878;  W.  G.  Goucher,  1880-1883;  C.  A.  Votey,  1883-1887. 
Mr.  Safford.  and  the  church  with  him,  were  afflicted  by  the  death 
of  his  wife,  during  his  short  stay.  Mr.  Bowers  was  a  man  of  fine 
abihty,  but  in  feeble  health,  and  soon  after  his  work  closed  in  Fair- 
fax, his  life  work  ended.  W.  G.  Goucher  was  a  fine  sermonizer, 
an  ardent  Baptist,  and  always  wore  his  Baptist  armour  and  kept 
it  bright  by  constant  use,  and  whenever  he  used  it,  he  drew  blood. 
So  said  one,  who  knew  him  well.  C.  A.  Votey  was  a  man  of  evan- 
gelistic zeal  and  had  the  privilege  of  welcoming  twelve  by  baptism. 

In  1885,  the  church  edifice  was  thoroughly  repaired  and  reno- 
vated at  a  cost  of  over  $3,000. 

Rev.  Henry  Crocker  became  pastor  in  June,  1887,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  relation  till  the  spring  of  1899.     These  were  years  of 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  357 

normal  church  hfe  and  work  marked  by  some  noteworthy  incidents. 

On  July  15,  1888,  Dr.  Dunn  was  present  with  his  loved  people, 
after  an  absence  of  seventeen  years,  and  gave  a  short  address,  full 
of  tender  allusions  to  the  past  and  of  suggestions  for  the  future. 

Four  months  later  came  the  news  of  the  sudden  death  of  this 
beloved  pastor.  His  body  was  brought  to  Fairfax  for  burial  in  the 
cemetery,  which  he  himself  was  instrumental  in  having  consecrated 
as  a  public  burial  place.  Special  services  were  held,  in  which  both 
the  pastor  and  some  friends  from  Pella  took  part. 

In  1893,  the  centennial  year  of  the  church  was  signalized  by  a 
series  of  sermons  at  intervals,  by  representatives  of  the  several 
missionary  and  philanthropic  organizations,  and  by  special  com- 
memorative exercises,  September  27.  These  exercises  were  at- 
tended by  large  numbers  of  former  members  and  former  students 
of  New  Hampton  Institution,  and  were  very  impressive  and  in- 
spiring. The  State  Convention  was  held  here  the  three  days  fol- 
lowing. In  this  period  a  company  of  promising  young  people  came 
up  from  childhood  into  young  manhood  and  womanhood,  and 
entered  upon  courses  of  study,  or  upon  their  life  work.  Among 
them  were  Rolla  Hunt,  now  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Shel- 
burne  Falls,  Mass.,  and  another,  A.  F.  Ufford,  now  missionary  in 
China. 

It  was  in  this  period  that  the  buildings  of  old  New  Hampton 
Institution  were  bunied,  and  this  somewhat  melancholy  reminder 
of  the  glory  of  departed  days  was  removed  from  sight.  A  smaller, 
new  school  building  stands  in  its  place,  which  is  the  rallying  place 
of  the  Green  Mountain  Summer  Institute. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  O.  R.  Hmit,  1900-1905,  who  wel- 
comed twelve  by  baptism,  and  was  an  energetic  pastor.  He  was 
followed  by  Rev.  A.  Frank  Ufford,  a  member  of  the  church, 
brought  up  from  infancy  under  its  influence.  Mr.  Ufford  had  con- 
secrated himself  to  the  foreign  mission  work  and  these  years  were 
pending  his  appointment.  This  was  a  brief  but  ideal  pastorate, 
marked  by  the  baptism  of  fifteen  converts.  Mr.  Ufford  was 
ordained  here. 

The  next  pastor  was  Rev.  C.  E.  VanSchaick,  well-known  as  the 
State  Colporteur,  for  a  season.  He  remained  two  years  and  was 
followed  by  Rev.  W.  S.  Boardman. 


358  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

This  history  would  be  incomplete  without  the  mention  of  the 
important  place  given  to  the  service  of  song,  and  the  name  of 
Deacon  Francis  W  ayland  Shepardson,  who  for  sixty-four  years 
has  been  chorister. 

Georgia 

In  1788,  Benjamin  and  Stephen  Holmes,  and  their  wives,  were 
the  first  Baptists  that  settled  in  Georgia,  \  t.  In  1791,  Rev.  Joseph 
Call,  an  evangelist,  came  from  New  Hampshire.  He  preached  in 
Cambridge,  Fairfax,  Fairfield,  Georgia  and  Milton.  He  was  the 
first  Baptist  minister  that  preached  in  this  region.  July  12,  1793, 
marks  the  date  of  the  first  Baptist  meeting  in  Georgia.  It  was  held 
in  Abraham  Hathaway 's  house,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  fellow- 
ship, forming  articles  of  faith,  and  adopting  rules  of  order.  A 
council  was  called  October  21,  1793,  and  a  church  regularly  con- 
stituted. The  region  was  then  little  less  than  a  wilderness.  There 
is  no  record  of  their  having  a  pastor.  When  the  first  meeting- 
house was  to  be  built  in  Georgia,  the  majority  of  the  inhabitants 
wished  it  to  be  built  and  the  minister  supported  by  a  towni  tax. 
This  the  Ba})tists  resisted.  The  meeting-house  was  built  in  1800, 
by  subscription.  In  1807,  the  Bai)tists  claimed  the  use  of  this  house 
a  portion  of  the  time.  This  was  resisted  by  the  Congregationalists, 
but  finally  a  compromise  was  agreed  upon  and  each  used  the  house 
in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  interest  of  the  members  of  the  re- 
spective churches. 

In  1807,  Roswell  Mears  was  called  to  the  j)astorate.  In  1808, 
Benjamin  Holmes  ard  Ephraim  Lewis  were  chosen  and  ordained 
as  deacons.  Deacon  Holmes  represented  the  town  ten  years  in  the 
State  legislature.  He  held  many  important  trusts.  He  and  his 
wife  were  well-known  for  their  benevolence.  During  the  winter  of 
1815  and  1816,  the  church  enjoyed  a  powerful  revival.  Sixty  were 
added  to  the  church.  Of  this  uum])er,  were  four  young  men  who 
afterward  became  ministers,  viz.:  Alvah  Sabin,  Daniel  Sabin, 
Joseph  Ballard,  and  Paul  Richards.  In  1818,  Elder  R.  Mears  be- 
gan preaching  one-half  of  the  time  in  Swanton  and  continued  his 
labors  there  twelve  years.     While  he  was  pastor,  there  was  much 


Rev.  Alvah  Sabin 

Member  of  United  States  Congress  1835— 1837 

Pastor  of  Georgia  Plain  Baptist  Church  1825—1857 

Born,  1793— Died,  1885 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  INVERMONT  359 

church  discipline  and  many  trials.  One  burning  question  was 
whether  a  person  called  to  preach  should  spend  time  in  attending 
a  theological  seminary,  previous  to  preaching  the  Gospel.  Because 
Alvah  Sabin  spent  some  time  in  preparatory  study,  several  brethren 
left  the  church.  Alvah  Sabin  was  born  in  Georgia,  October  20, 
1793.  He  was  converted  in  early  youth,  but  neglected  to  put  on 
Christ  in  baptism  till  February,  1815  or  1816,  when  he  was  bap- 
tized with  fourteen  others  in  the  Lamoille  River,  the  ice  being  cut 
away  for  the  purpose.  In  1817,  A.  Sabin  preached  before  the 
church  and  received  a  license.  He  spent  some  time  in  preparatory 
study  and  having  proclaimed  the  Gospel  in  all  the  region  round- 
about, in  1825,  commenced  preaching  in  Georgia  half  the  time.  In 
the  meeting-house  in  Georgia,  such  a  thing  as  a  stove  or  furnace  was 
a  thing  miknown,  except  the  hand-foot  stoves  that  the  matrons 
brought  from  home  filled  with  live  coals.  In  1826,  the  church 
paid  to  have  the  schoolhouse,  which  was  being  built,  have  an  upper 
room.  Many  meetings  of  interest  were  held  in  that  upper  room. 
In  October,  1831,  H.  H.  Hale,  John  Bowker,  and  Truman 
Williams,  were  ordained  deacons  and  became  towers  of  strength, 
financially  and  spiritually.  In  1834,  Elder  Sabin  served  the  State 
Convention  as  agent.  Elder  R.  Mears  took  his  place  for  one  year; 
Elder  N.  H.  Downs,  one  year,  and  R.  Mears  the  year  following, 
then  A.  Sabin  resumed  his  work  again  as  pastor.  In  1846,  the 
church  voted  to  build  a  brick  church  in  the  southwest  part  of  the 
town.  The  same  was  dedicated  February  2,  1848.  The  following 
year  quite  a  number  were  converted  and  baptized.  In  1852,  Elder 
Sabin  was  elected  to  represent  the  second  district  of  Vermont  in  the 
United  States  Congress.  He  was  absent  four  years,  except  during 
the  summer  months.  In  his  absence.  Rev.  Eli  B.  Smith,  D.  D., 
was  a  most  acceptable  supply.  Several  valuable  additions  were 
made  to  the  church  during  those  four  years.  Upon  his  return  from 
Washington,  Elder  Sabin  was  often  called  upon  to  comfort  those 
that  mourned  the  loss  of  friends  upon  the  battlefield.  In  1868, 
Rev.  Rufus  Smith  assumed  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  and 
during  the  two  years  and  three  months  of  his  stay,  the  Sunday 
school  was  reorganized  and  several  united  with  the  church.  In 
April,  Elder  Sabin  assumed  the  pastorate.     He  did  not  feel  him- 


360  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

self  physically  able  to  perform  much  pastoral  labor,  yet  his  gray 
hairs  and  well-known  voice  were  a  blessing  to  those  who  attended 
the  meetings.  During  the  summer  and  fall  of  1876,  the  old  par- 
sonage was  sold  and  a  new  one  erected,  at  a  cost  of  between  $1,400 
and  $1,500. 

Rev.  J.  G.  Lorimer  became  pastor  in  December,  1876.  Not 
long  after  his  settlement,  three  brethren,  who  had  been  the  main 
leaders  of  the  church  for  at  least  a  half  century,  were  called  to  their 
reward  and  rest — H.  H.  Hale,  who  had  filled  the  office  of  deacon 
for  forty-seven  years,  a  man  gifted  in  prayer,  genial,  benevolent 
and  highly  respected ;  Alfred  Ladd,  a  deacon  in  the  church  thirty- 
three  years,  a  man  of  financial  ability  and  devoted  to  the  interests 
of  the  church;  and  Elder  Alvah  Sabin,  a  man  of  ability,  recog- 
nized not  only  by  the  church  but  throughout  the  State. 

October,  1826,  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in  Georgia  was 
burned.  A  new  one  was  promptly  erected  at  a  cost  of  $6,235. 
The  new  house  was  dedicated  October  25,  1887.  Rev.  Henry 
Crocker,  of  Fairfax,  delivered  the  sermon  from  Psalm  122 : 1.  There 
was  a  debt  of  $1,430.  This  was  provided  for  on  the  day  of  the 
dedication.     October  25th  was  a  red  letter  day  for  the  church. 

Mr.  Lorimer  served  the  church  with  ability,  fidelity  and  love, 
for  twenty-five  years,  cheerful  under  discouragement,  a  lover  of 
young  people,  the  companion  and  friend  of  the  aged,  a  genuine 
under  shepherd,  beloved  of  all  his  people. 

Failing  health  compelled  him  to  give  up  his  pastoral  work  in 
1902.  He  spent  the  sunset  days  of  his  life  among  the  people  he 
had  so  long  served  and  passed  to  his  rest,  December  21,  1911. 
Joseph  Gibbs  Lorimer  was  born  in  Beebe  Plain,  P.  Q.,  February 
4,  1833.  He  was  ordained  to  the  Gospel  ministry  by  the  church 
in  Derby,  Vt.,  in  June,  1861,  and  served  this  church  as  pastor  six- 
teen years.  On  September  30,  1862,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Almira  Hale  of  Georgia,  Vermont.  In  1877,  he  moved  to  Georgia 
Plain  and  began  his  second  pastorate,  which  lasted  twenty -five 
years.  While  he  gave  up  his  pastorate  in  1902,  almost  to  the  end 
of  his  life  he  was  in  truest  sense  a  minister  at  large.  It  was  his 
to  win  many  to  Christ  and  the  church.  He  baptized  three  of  his 
nephews,  who  later  became  clergymen:   Rev.  Addison  B.  Lorimer, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  361 

Rev.  Albert  W.  Lorimer  and  Rev.  E.  I.  Nye.  Mrs.  Lorimer  died 
June  11,  1811.  While  deeply  interested  in  the  home  field,  both 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Lorimer  were  very  much  interested  in  State,  home 
and  foreign  missions.  By  industry  and  economy  they  saved  con- 
siderable money  and  at  their  death  bequests  were  made  to  the 
Georgia  Plain  church,  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention, 
the  Woman's  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  and  the  Woman's 
Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society,  $500  each. 

Rev.  Thomas  Adams  succeeded  Mr.  Lorimer  as  pastor,  1903, 
continuing  till  1908,  when  Rev.  L.  L.  Holmes  succeeded  him,  serv- 
ing till  1911,  when  J.  R.  Thomas  became  pastor. 

Cambridge 

April  2,  1793,  eleven  persons,  whose  homes  were  in  Cambridge 
and  Johnson,  met  at  the  house  of  Robert  Cochran,  m  Cambridge, 
related  their  christian  experience,  were  baptized  and  covenanted 
together  to  walk  in  the  ordinances  of  Christ's  house.  On  the  10th 
of  July,  1793,  a  council  convened  to  ordain  Robert  Cochran  to  the 
office  of  deacon,  examined  its  articles  of  faith  and  recognized  this 
body  as  a  regular  Baptist  church  and  shortly  after  it  became  a 
member  of  the  Woodstock  ^Association. 

The  materials  of  which  this  church  was  composed,  were  the 
fruit  of  a  work  of  grace  which  commenced  in  this  vicinity  in  the 
summer  of  1792.  The  commencement  of  this  work  is  to  be  cred- 
ited CO  two  earnest  christians,  Amos  Page,  and  Ichabod  Warren, 
who  noting  the  destitute  condition  of  the  place  and  the  indifference 
of  the  people  to  the  interests  of  souls,  became  deeply  affected  and 
resolved  to  appoint  a  conference  meeting  for  the  purpose  of  calling 
the  attention  of  their  neighbors  to  the  great  subject  of  religion. 
In  their  first  meeting  two  persons  became  seriously  interested  and 
were  soon  converted.  Thus  encouraged,  they  continued  their 
meetings,  which  increased  in  interest  and  solemnity,  till  a  general 
seriousness  prevailed.  About  this  time  Roswell  Mears  came,  full 
of  faith  and  holy  zeal,  and  under  his  influence  and  preaching  many 
were  led  to  Christ,  until  seventy  or  eighty  were  giving  evidence 
of  conversion. 


362  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Then  came  Joseph  Call,  who  was  present  at  their  organization 
into  a  church,  and  became  their  first  pastor.  This  church  continued 
to  maintain  its  organization  till  1801,  when  diminished  in  numbers 
and  discouraged  by  difficulties,  it  was  disbanded.  Four  years 
later,  however,  a  new  organization  was  formed  which  lived  a  few 
years. 

SWANTON 

On  the  ISth  of  March,  1796,  brethren,  delegates  from  the 
churches  of  Fairfax  and  Caldwell's  Manor,  met  in  Swanton,  and 
were  organized  as  a  council,  and  after  deliberation,  recognized  as 
a  Baptist  church,  the  following  persons :  Joshua  Calkins,  Thomas 
Browm,  Thomas  Armes,  Daniel  Rowley,  Caleb  Calkins,  David 
Campbell,  Mercy  Calkins,  Elizabeth  Calkins,  Martha  Armes, 
Deborah  Adams,  Deborah  Campbell.  David  Campbell  and  his 
wife  lived  in  St.  Albans,  the  others  were  residents  of  Swanton. 

■  In  July,  they  appointed  delegates  to  the  Richmond  conference 
and  at  this  time  probably  united  with  that  body. 

In  January,  1798,  Thomas  Brow^l  was  ordained  and  became 
pastor,  serving  two  years.  He  appears  to  have  been  one  of  the 
first  settlers  of  the  town,  which  was  organized  but  six  years  before 
the  organization  of  the  church,  and  it  is  supposed  that  all  who  were 
first  constituted  into  a  church,  were  previously  members  of  Bap- 
tist churches. 

From  June  to  August  25th,  there  were  received  into  the 
church  forty  members,  the  fruit  of  a  revival,  the  first  the  to\^^l  ex- 
perienced. It  appears  that  one  young  woman  dreamed  of  having 
much  trouble  to  keep  clear  of  the  devil,  who  was  continually  fol- 
lowing her  wherever  she  went,  and  she  saw  no  possibility,  however 
untiring  her  efforts,  to  escape  him,  but  concluded  that  his  she  must 
be.  After  troubling  herself  about  her  dream  for  some  time,  she 
finally  disclosed  it  to  a  christian  neighbor,  who  observed  that  she 
wished  all  would  manifest  as  much  zeal  and  diligence  in  keeping 
out  of  the  hands  of  the  devil. 

At  length,  the  young  woman  was  led  to  lay  hold  on  the  hope 
set  before  her  in  the  Gospel,  when  she  felt  herself  free  from  the  power 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  363 

of  the  devil.  She  commenced  exhorting  her  companions,  and  the 
result  was  that  the  meetings  became  more  interesting  and  soon  the 
intelligence  was  spread  through  the  town  that  a  revival  of  religion 
was  in  that  neighborhood  and  people  came  to  see  what  a  revival 
was,  and  the  result  was  that  the  interest  spread  through  the  whole 
town. 

East  Swanton 

In  1802,  David  Hurlbut  was  ordained  evangelist.  In  1803, 
a  Baptist  society  was  formed.  At  the  time,  application  was  made 
to  the  town  for  the  privilege  of  holding  a  Baptist  society  meeting 
on  east  road,  to  choose  a  moderator,  society  clerk,  and  other  officers. 
The  meeting  was  held  and  a  Baptist  society  organized  by  choice 
of  John  Baker,  moderator;  Wm.  Green,  clerk;  Stephen  Robinson, 
treasurer;  Israel  Robinson,  collector;  Joshua  Calkins,  Wm.  Green, 
John  Baker,  committee;  Asa  Green,  Isaac  Lackey,  and  Otis  Free- 
man, assessors.  (1st  Town  Book  p.  119).  Several  of  these  were 
not  members  of  the  church,  some  of  them  Congregationalists, 
there  being  no  Congregational  church  near.  This  organization 
continued  for  many  years.  Preaching  was  supported  on  the  grand 
list.  After  a  few  months'  service  by  Josiah  Orcutt,  Jesse  Smith 
commenced  preaching  to  the  church  and  was  settled  as  pastor  in 
1804.  Josiah  Orcutt  was  again  employed  and  continued  to  supply 
the  pulpit  from  1808  to  1811  or  1812,  soon  after  which  he  died. 
In  1814,  Elder  Phineas  Culver  began  to  serve  as  pastor.  Revivals 
attended  his  work.  Under  his  faithful  ministry  the  church  at- 
tained its  largest  membership.  On  April  7th,  of  that  year,  a  large 
number  were  baptized;  among  them  Francis  W.  Emmons,  about 
sixteen  years  of  age.  Fifty  years  afterward  he  returned,  an  or- 
dained minister,  preached  a  good  sermon  and  gave  a  short  history 
of  his  life.  Between  this  and  1820,  in  connection  with  the  Con- 
gregationalists, they  built  a  meeting-house,  and  shortly  afterward 
Elder  Roswell  Mears  was  employed  as  pastor,  continuing  his  work 
four  or  five  years.  In  1830,  Elder  Culver  again  supplied  them, 
alternating  with  Roswell  Mears,  and  twenty-one  were  received 
that  year  by  baptism.     In  this  year  they  denounced  and  renounced 


364  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Freemasonry.  Elder  Daniel  Sabin  was  pastor  from  1836  till  1846. 
In  1840,  protracted  meetings  were  held,  assisted  by  Elder  Baldwin, 
and  about  thirty  were  added  to  the  church.  The  old  meeting- 
house falling  to  decay,  a  new  one  was  built  and  dedicated  January  1, 
1850.  J.  Cressey  was  pastor,  1848-1849;  P.  C.  Hines,  1851-1854. 
During  most  of  1854,  they  were  supplied  by  students  from  Fairfax. 
Geo.  H.  Bixby  was  pastor  five  years,  1855-1860;  and  welcomed  at 
least  fifty  members.  A  season  of  depression  followed.  During 
the  years,  1861,  1862,  1863,  they  had  no  pastor;  J.  G.  Lorimer  and 
F.  E.  Osburn,  then  students  at  Fairfax,  supplied. 

In  1865,  H.  C.  Leavitt  was  settled,  a  parsonage  purchased  and 
prospects  brightened.  This  pastorate  ended  October  1,  1867. 
A.  S.  Gilbert,  ordained  June  30,  1870,  served  till  April,  1873. 
From  April,  1873-1875,  A.  L.  Arms  supplied.  June  23,  1875, 
W.  M.  Mayhew  was  ordained.  He  remained  till  April,  1876. 
Rev.  J.  A.  Johnson,  from  St.  Albans,  supplied  for  a  time.  G.  A. 
Arms,  1877-1878.  Beginning  1879,  P.  S.  McKillop  served.  He 
was  assisted,  in  1880,  by  John  Corrie  and  some  fifty  were  converted, 
twenty -seven  baptized.  G.  A.  Wilkins  served  1882-1884.  All 
hearts  were  saddened  by  the  death  of  his  wife  in  1883. 

The  church  has  been  without  a  pastor  since  then,  but  has 
beep  supplied  much  of  the  time  by  the  pastors  from  St.  Albans. 
Mrs.  Clara  Powell  was  their  spiritual  leader  in  1911,  and  the  mem- 
bership was  twenty -four. 

Westford 

In  the  spiring  of  1798,  Rev.  Jedediah  Hebbard,  of  New  Hamp- 
shire, found  in  Westford  a  little  group  of  Baptists,  who  were  like 
sheep  in  the  w^lderness,  needing  the  shepherd 'scare.  This  he  gave 
them,  preaching  as  often  as  opportunity  offered.  Other  preachers 
came  to  his  assistance  and  soon  a  congregation  was  gathered,  of  reg- 
ular attendants  upon  the  word.  On  the  23d  of  December,  the 
Baptist  church  of  Westford  was  organized  with  eleven  members. 
Their  names  were:  Deacon  Isaac  Chase,  Deacon  Uriel  Stewart, 
Jonathan  Chase,  Reuben  Smith,  Lebeus  Burdick,  Jonas  Hobart, 
Josiah  Ingersoll,  William  Weaver,  Levi  Famsworth,  Avary  Bur- 
dick and  Truman  Chase. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  365 

The  church  was  not  favored  with  steady  preaching  until  about 
three  years  after,  when  Rev.  Thomas  Brown  moved  into  town  and 
continued  three  years,  after  which  Ephraim  Butler  was  pastor  for 
several  years.  In  the  year  1809,  twenty  were  added,  principally 
by  baptism.  Soon  after  this  ingathering,  a  difficulty  arose  relative 
to  their  choice  of  a  pastor,  the  church  was  divided,  and  both  parties 
sent  delegates  to  the  next  Association,  claiming  to  be  the  Westford 
Baptist  church.  A  council,  called  for  the  purpose  of  adjusting  the 
difficulty,  and  a  committee  from  the  Association,  both  decided  that 
Isaac  Chase,  Jacob  Eastman,  Reuben  Burdick,  Timothy  Burdick, 
Jonathan  Chase  and  others,  who  agreed  with  them,  were  in  order 
and  on  Gospel  ground  and  advised  the  other  party  to  confess  their 
fault  and  renew  their  covenant  with  the  others.  This  they  were 
unwilling  to  do  and  maintained  separate  services  for  a  time  and 
then  became  extinct  as  an  organization. 

The  war  of  1812,  and  the  cold  year  of  1816,  caused  much  suf- 
fering. These  things  made  the  people  feel  their  need  of  divine 
help  and  comfort.  Their  fidelity  in  attendance  upon  the  means  of 
grace  is  illustrated  by  the  following  incident  from  the  life  of  Rev. 
Alvah  Sabin,  p.  53 :  "Deacon  Jonas  Hobart  lived  about  four  miles 
from  the  place  of  worship,  and  the  road  lay  over  a  small  mountain. 
His  father  and  mother  lived  in  a  house  near  him.  They  were  both 
over  seventy  years  of  age,  but  were  uniformly  at  meeting.  They 
made  the  journey  in  this  way.  One  of  them  would  take  the  horse 
and  ride  to  the  top  of  the  hill  while  the  other  walked.  Then  the 
one  who  had  ridden  would  hitch  the  horse  and  go  down  the  hill  on 
foot.  The  one  who  had  walked  up  the  hill  would  ride  down. 
After  church  they  reversed  the  order  and  so  went  home. " 

Some  of  the  early  records  are  lost  and  so  a  full  history  cannot 
be  written,  but  two  ministers  are  mentioned  in  the  records  before 
Elder  Sabin.  These  were  Rev.  Thomas  Brown  and  Rev.  Phineas 
Culver.  Alvah  Sabin 's  pastorate  began  in  1821.  On  the  29th 
of  April,  that  year,  some  ten  or  twelve  Baptists,  who  lived  in  a 
part  of  the  town  some  distance  from  the  place  of  meeting,  presented 
their  letters  and  were  received,  adding  not  only  numbers  but  sub- 
stantial strength  to  the  church.  About  the  same  time,  some  who 
had  been  disfellowshiped  came  with  confessions  of  fault  and  were 


366  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

restored  to  membership.  The  church  felt  their  need  of  some  more 
convenient  place  of  worship,  and  applied  to  the  Congregational 
church  for  the  privilege  of  holding  meetings  in  the  town  meeting- 
house, (toward  the  cost  of  which  the  Baptists  had  contributed,) 
on  Sundays,  when  it  was  not  Otherwise  occupied.  The  answer 
given  was  that  the  Baptists  could  have  the  use  of  the  meeting- 
house when  it  was  unoccupied,  except  on  Sundays.  The  manifest 
injustice  of  this  action  awakened  for  the  Baptists  a  measure  of 
popular  sympathy,  and  they  were  enabled  with  the  cooperation  of 
the  Methodists,  to  erect  another  meeting-house,  facing  the  green 
opposite  the  old  meeting-house.  An  extensive  revival  began  in 
1824  and  Elder  Sabin  baptized  between  fifty  and  sixty,  and  the 
Methodists  as  many  more.  Elder  Sabin  continued  his  pastoral  work 
about  seven  years.  Meanwhile,  the  society,  duly  incorporated, 
had  purchased  five  acres  of  land  conveniently  near  the  meeting- 
house and  erected  a  parsonage  and  barn  at  a  cost  of  about  $1250, 
which  was  raised  by  subscription,  except  $450,  the  avails  of  their 
proportion  of  the  ministerial  rights  in  land  reserved  for  this  purpose. 

Jeremiah  Hall  was  next  pastor,  ordained  February  1,  1831. 
It  was  his  happy  lot  to  lead  this  people  during  the  remarkable 
revival  of  1831.  In  the  short  pastorate  of  less  than  three  years, 
Mr.  Hall  welcomed  thirty-eight  to  the  church,  mostly  by  baptism. 

Isaiah  Huntley,  of  Duxbury,  commenced  preaching  here  in  the 
fall  of  1832  and  continued  four  and  a  half  years.  During  that 
time,  thirty-six  were  added  to  the  church.  In  June,  1837,  James 
M.  Beeman,  of  Fairfax,  was  ordained  pastor  and  served  four  years. 
These  were  trying  years.  In  1840,  there  were  one  hundred  and 
forty  members.  In  September,  1840,  William  Miller,  of  New  York, 
began  to  lecture  in  ^Yestford.  As  a  result  of  his  preaching,  the  Bap- 
tist church  lost  nearly  half  of  its  members. 

For  a  while,  previous  to  1886,  the  church  was  in  a  discouraged 
condition.  Then  came  Rca'.  Thomas  Tellier,  first  as  a  home  mis- 
sionary and  then  as  pastor,  and  for  se^•en  years  he  put  his  life  into 
this  field  and  the  results  were  wonderful.  The  people  responded 
to  his  hopefulness  and  courage,  and  cooperated  with  him  in  efforts 
for  material  improvement  and  equally  for  spiritual  improvement, 
the  membership  doubled,  the  church  was  repaired,  sheds  built, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  367 

parsonage  built,  and  the  church  greatly  encouraged  and  strength- 
ened. The  Methodists  had  for  many  years  united  with  the  Bap- 
tists in  worship,  but  about  1892  they  repaired  their  own  house  of 
worship  and  began  holding  meetings  by  themselves.  Mr.  Tellier's 
pastorate  closed,  September,  1893.  Among  the  strong  support- 
ers of  the  church  were  Henry  Woodruff  and  R.  M.  Huntley,  for 
many  years  church  clerk,  and  Mrs.  R.  M.  Huntley,  a  member  for 
more  than  sixty  years,  and  Deacon  George  Huntley.  Mr.  James 
Conlon  came  to  this  country  from  Ireland  when  sixteen  years  old. 
His  father  and  mother  died  of  cholera  during  the  voyage,  leaving 
a  family  of  children  to  enter,  as  strangers,  a  strange  land.  Mr.  Con- 
lon fought  in  the  Rebellion  of  Canada,  in  1837-1838.  He  served 
in  the  Mexican  war  in  1847-1848;  and  in  the  Civil  war,  1864-1865. 
He  endowed  the  church  with  $200,  the  interest  of  which  is  to  be 
used  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel.  E.  Hatfield  was  pastor,  1894- 
1896.     E.  P.  Lyon  was  ordained  pastor.  May  24, 1896. 

Having  omitted  the  names  of  some  of  the  pastors  in  the  fore- 
going account,  we  give  here  the  full  list  of  pastors  in  the  order  of 
their  service: 

Thomas  Brown,  Phineas  Culver,  Alvah  Sabin,  1821-1828; 
Jeremiah  Hall,  1828-1831;  Isaiah  Huntley,  1832-1837;  J.  M.  Bee- 
man,  1837-1841;  Chester  Ingraham,  1841;  O.  W.  Babcock,  R.  D. 
Hodge,  T.  C.  Morley,  1855-1857;  J.  Ferguson,  1857-1859;  C.  D. 
Fuller,  1860-1861;  Nehemiah  Pierce,  1862-1864;  M.  Howard,  1866; 
G.  W.  Arms,  1867-1871;  A.  A.  Davis,  M.  L.  Fox,  1875-1876; 
DeForest  Safford,  1877-1883;  T.  Tellier,  1886-1893;  E.  Hatfield, 
1894-1896;  E.  P.  Lyon,  1896-1897;  H.  M.  Hopkinson,  1899-1907; 
S.  H.  Chambers,  1908-1909;  G.  L.  Cook,  1910;  F.  S.  Leathers,  1911. 

The  membership  in  1912  was  thirty-four.  The  attendants 
were  somewhat  widely  scattered  and  the  Sunday  school  sustained 
a  home  department  of  one  hundred  or  more  members. 

Essex  Center 

The  first  Baptist  church  in  Essex,  Vt.,  was  organized  with  six 
members  November,  1801,  as  a  branch  of  the  Wesfford  church.  The 
constituent  members  were  Uriel    Stewart,  Joshua    Bates,   Peter 


368  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Hubbard,  Gardner  Bullard,  Thomas  Fulsom,  and  Mehitable 
Bates.  The  branch  became  an  independent  church,  January  16, 
1802.  The  first  baptism  into  the  mission  was  William  Ingraham, 
wife  and  daughter,  November  14,  1801.  William  Ingraham  was 
the  father  of  Chester  Ingraham,  who  was  pastor  of  the  church 
seventeen  years.  The  church  has  had  twenty-four  different  pastors. 
Two  were  called  to  a  second  pastorate.  Their  names  are  David 
Hurlbut,  Ephraim  Butler,  David  Boynton,  Thomas  Ravlin,  Rob- 
ert Hastings,  Chester  Ingraham,  Lyman  Smith,  M.  G.  Hodge, 
Isaiah  Huntley,  S.  S.  Kingsley,  Jacob  Gray,  Holmes  Chipman, 
Albert  McGloughlin,  Charles  Coon,  James  A.  Johnson,  J.  F. 
Ferguson,  J.  A.  Leavitt,  Irving  W.  Coombs,  W^illiam  Gussman, 
Richard  Bradshaw,  A.  N.  Woodruff,  J.  T.  Buzzell,  P.  C.  Abbey, 
N.  W.  W'oolcott. 

The  following  were  ordained  while  pastor  of  this  church: 
Da^'id  Hurlbut,  Ephraim  Butler,  Thomas  Ravlin,  Robert  Hastings, 
Chester  Ingraham,  Jacob  Gray,  Albert  McGloughlin,  James  A. 
Johnson,  Richard  Bradshaw.  W^hen  without  pastor,  Isaiah  Hunt- 
ley, Chester  Ingraham,  P.  C.  Abbey,  Thomas  Tellier,  and  Richard 
Nott,  have  acted  as  supplies.  David  Hurlbut  was  the  first  ordained 
and  settled  minister  in  the  toAMi  of  Essex.  Prominent  mention  is 
due  Chester  Ingraham.  Born  in  Essex,  born  again  and  baptized 
into  the  church,  afterwards  ordained  and  served  the  church  for 
seventeen  years  as  pastor.  He  always  resided  in  Essex,  but  sup- 
plied churches  in  other  parts  of  the  State. 

The  church  has  enjoyed  several  extensive  revivals. 

In  1816,  during  the  short  pastorate  of  David  Boynton,  there 
was  quite  an  ingathering.  Ten  were  baptized  in  one  day.  In 
1821,  when  the  church  was  without  a  pastor,  thirty  were  added  to 
the  church  by  baptism.  Again  in  1839-1840,  following  the  lec- 
tures of  William  Miller,  and  during  the  pastorate  of  Chester  In- 
graham, fifty  were  added  to  the  church,  forty-two  by  baptism. 
In  1842,  during  the  pastorate  of  Lyman  Smith,  forty-one  were  bap- 
tized. In  1842,  one  hundred  and  thirty-seven  members  were  re- 
ported to  the  Association.  During  the  pastorate  of  David  Gray, 
1856  to  1858,  as  the  result  of  a  revival,  thirty -four  were  added  to 
the  church  by  baptism.     In  1874,  another  revival,  the  most  gen- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  369 

eral  through  the  to^\^l  since  1840,  Rev.  J.  F.  Ferguson  was  assisted 
by  Rev.  E.  A.  Whittier,  the  evangeUst,  and  nearly  a  hundred  in  the 
to>\ai  experienced  hope  in  Christ  and  twenty  united  with  this 
church.  During  ninety-five  years  of  its  history,  four  hundred  and 
seventy  persons  were  received,  or  an  average  of  nearly  five  annually. 
The  first  meeting-house  was  commenced  in  1821,  and  com- 
pleted in  1827  or  1828,  at  a  cost  of  $1,600.  In  1839,  this  was  de- 
stroyed by  fire,  and  in  1840,  another  was  l)uilt  at  a  cost  of  $2,000. 
The  present  house  was  thoroughly  remodelled  in  1867-1868,  at  a 
cost  of  $3,000.  From  this  church  have  been  dismissed  brothers 
and  sisters  to  form  the  Baptist  church  in  Jericho,  and  many  more 
who  have  become  reliable  and  efficient  members  of  other  churches. 

South  Fairfield 

The  to«'n  of  Fairfield  began  to  be  settled  about  the  year  1789. 
Among  the  first  comers  were  seveial  Baptists,  viz.:  Andrew  Brad- 
ley, John  Leach  and  wife,  Abram  Northrop,  and  Hon.  J.  D.  Farns- 
worth.  These,  together  with  a  few  Congregationalists,  commenced 
holding  meetings  on  Sundays  in  a  barn.  They  enjoyed  no  preach- 
ing save  as  they  were  occasionally  visited  by  some  missionary,  till 
1796,  when  Rev.  Ezra  Wilmarth  cast  in  his  lot  with  them  and 
preached  two  or  three  years.  His  work  was  abundantly  blessed. 
About  the  close  of  the  year  1900,  an  interesting  revival  occurred 
and  for  a  time  they  were  supplied  by  Elder  Jedediah  Hebbard, 
Joseph  Marsh  and  Ephraim  Sawyer.  The  result  of  this  revival 
was  the  organizing  of  a  church  of  thirty  members  in  1801.  David 
Churchill  was  chosen  deacon.  Though  destitute  of  a  pastor,  these 
held  together  and  maintained  religious  meetings  till  1811,  when 
Elder  Isaac  Sawyer  became  pastor  and  served  two  years.  These 
were  years  of  the  right  hand  of  the  Most  High.  In  1812,  a  powerful 
revival  was  in  progress  and  thirty-three  were  baptized  and  eight 
received  bj^  letter.  One  of  the  first  converts  and  most  influential 
workers  in  this  interesting  work  of  grace  was  Sally  Whitman, 
daughter  of  Jacob  Whitman,  and  later  the  wife  of  Rev.  Joseph 
Sawyer.  Her  first  serious  impressions  were  received  one  night 
upon  her  return  from  a  ballroom,  when  she  overheard  some  con- 


370  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

versation  between  her  father  and  mother,  expressing  anxiety  for 
her.  A  Uttle  later  she  gave  her  heart  to  the  Saviour  and  began 
earnest  effort  to  lead  her  companions  to  Him.  Joseph  Sawyer  was 
then  a  young  man  of  about  twenty  and  had  just  commenced  preach- 
ing. 

One  of  his  first  efforts  was  on  the  very  day  that  the  battle  was 
fought  at  Plattsburg.  It  was  a  time  of  great  excitement  and 
anxiety  in  Fairfield.  When  the  British  fleet,  ascending  the  St. 
John's,  had  suddenly  entered  Lake  Champlain  and  the  cry  came 
for  volunteers,  there  was  an  instant  rally — no  patriot  stopped  to 
think — it  was  just  go.  Instantly  the  volunteers  were  together, 
and  to  the  wonder  of  them  all  "  Priest  Wooster, "  the  Congregational 
pastor,  was  among  them ;  and  when  one  of  his  church  members  ex- 
pressed a  doubt  as  to  his  being  called  to  fight,  it  was  reported  that 
he  said,  "  If  fighting  must  be  done,  I  might  as  well  fight  as  others. 
The  volunteers  made  him  captain,  and  away  they  all  hurried  on. 
But  there  was  considerable  of  Tory  feeling  in  the  community.  As 
the  company  was  leaving.  Colonel  Barlow  stood  on  a  wagon  box 
and  said  he  hoped  they  would  never  come  back,  or  if  they  did  it 
would  be  with  missing  limbs  to  remind  them  of  their  folly.  Sally 
Whitman  relates  that  when  her  father  and  the  rest  had  gone,  a 
neighbor  came  to  the  house,  and  finding  her  mother  very  sad  and 
expressing  her  fear  thac  some  of  them  might  be  killed,  made  the 
cruel  remark  that  it  wouldn't  hurt  his  feelings  if  none  of  them  re- 
turned. It  was  under  these  circumstances  that  the  people  who 
were  left  went  to  the  little  schoolhouse  for  the  usual  Sunday  ser- 
vices. Young  Joseph  Sawyer  conducted  the  services.  One  of  his 
youthful  hearers  has  related  the  story.  He  says:  "It  was  a  solemn 
time  when  we  heard  the  boom  of  the  cannon.  It  made  the  win- 
dows rattle  and  we  knew  that  the  battle  had  commenced.  The 
young  preacher  continued  speaking  in  a  low  voice  and  impressive 
manner.  Before  he  got  through  it  was  a  rousing  sermon.  His 
text  was,  'Speak  unto  the  children  of  Israel  that  they  go  forward.'  " 
The  preacher  went  from  his  meeting  to  Fairfield  Center,  and  there, 
in  sympathy  with  anxious  wives  and  mothers,  he  proposed  to  learn, 
as  soon  as  possible,  the  fate  of  the  volunteers.  Hurriedly  supplied 
with  old  linen  for  lint  and  bandages  and  many  other  articles  known 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  371 

to  be  of  use  to  the  wounded,  he  rode  away  at  sunset  on  his  embassy 
for  patriotic  women  in  Fairfield.  Just  as  the  morning  dawned, 
he  descried  on  the  sand  bars  the  volunteers  returning  with  their 
chaplain  in  the  joy  of  victory,  no  one  missing  or  materially  harmed. 
Only  a  few  weeks  later  occurred  the  marriage  of  Joseph  Sawyer  to 
Miss  Sally  Whitman,  Judge  J.  D.  Farnsworth  officiating  in  the 
ceremony. 

As  a  part  of  Fairfield  history,  if  not  specially  of  the  Baptist 
church,  it  is  interesting  to  know  that,  by  way  of  compliment  to 
the  volunteers  for  their  prompt  movements,  the  Governor  of  the 
State  presented  to  their  captain.  Priest  Wooster,  a  large  Bible; 
and  the  next  Fourth  of  July  celebration  he  led  the  procession, 
walking  in  front  of  the  musicians,  holding  that  Bible  in  his  hands. 
A  company  of  girls,  representing  the  states  of  the  Union,  followed 
the  musicians,  all  with  wreaths  of  mountain  evergreen  upon  their 
heads. 

In  1814,  Joseph  Sawyer  was  licensed  to  preach  and  to  the  great 
satisfaction  of  the  church  they  enjoyed  his  labors  about  a  year. 
The  church  now  was  scattered  over  a  large  territory,  and  that  all 
might  enjoy  the  privileges  of  church,  they  commenced  holding 
their  meetings  in  two  difi^erent  parts  of  the  town. 

Elder  Amos  Booth  was  pastor,  1817-1818;  Elder  Ephraim 
Butler,  half  the  time,  1820-1821;  Elder  William  Chase,  1822; 
Elder  J.  Spaulding,  1824-1825.  From  1828  to  1830  was  the  most 
prosperous  season  the  church  ever  enjoyed.  Elder  William  Arthur, 
father  of  President  Arthur,  was  pastor,  and  his  work  was  fruitful 
and  edifying.  Half  of  the  time  services  were  held  in  the  north  part 
of  the  town  and  one-half  the  time  in  the  town  house. 

The  church  had  become  large  and  scattered  over  so  wide  a 
territory,  it  was  thought  best  to  organize  a  new  church.  Accord- 
ingly, forty-six  members  were  dismissed  to  form  a  church  in  the 
north  part  of  the  town.  This  reduced  the  church  to  a  feeble  band 
of  thirty-two  members.  Elder  Arthur  became  pastor  of  the  new 
church.  From  1830  to  1838,  the  South  Fairfield  church  was  sup- 
plied one-half  the  time  by  Elders  C.  P.  Hines,  Ephraim  Butler, 
and  Simon  Fletcher.  Then  came  a  time  of  sorrow.  A  number  of 
the  most  active  and  efficient  brethren  became  Universalists,  weak- 
ening this  church. 


372  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Madison  Beeman  supplied  them  in  1839-1840;  H.  D.  Hodge 
and  R.  A.  Hodge,  1841;  J.  M.  Beeman,  1842-1844;  O.  W.  Babcock, 
1846;  C.  J.  Bryant,  1847.  From  this  time  the  church  ceased  to  re- 
port to  the  Association  and  in  1856,  its  name  disappears  from  the 
minutes. 

Fletcher 

By  a  sketch,  prepared  in  1841,  we  learn  that  Sarah  Church 
was  the  first  Baptist  in  tq,wni  and  she  commenced  her  residence  in 
1800.  In  1801,  Elder  Joseph  Call  and  his  wife  came  to  the  place, 
and  in  1804  or  180.5,  he  was  hired  part  of  the  time.  In  the  spring 
of  1817,  Joseph  Wilcox,  living  in  the  southeast  part  of  Fairfax, 
established  religious  meetings  at  the  center  schoolhouse,  once  in 
two  weeks,  for  a  year.  July  5  of  that  year,  a  Baptist  church  was 
formed  and  recognized  by  a  council  the  following  August.  Elder 
David  Boynton  succeeded  Mr.  Wilcox  and  Ephraim  Butler  fol- 
lowed him.  The  meetings  were  held  in  a  meeting-house,  ownied 
jointly  by  Baptists  and  Methodists,  and  their  meetings  were  held 
alternately.  Elder  Butler  retained  his  membership  here  from 
September  17,  1825,  till  September  10,  1842.  In  1830,  a  temper- 
ance society  was  organized,  some  heartily  favoring  it,  others 
violently  opposing  and  discord  in  the  church  resulted. 

In  August,  1841,  Elder  Chester  Ingraham  united  with  the 
church  as  pastor.  In  the  winter  of  1845,  Rev.  O.  W.  Babcock,  of 
Westford,  finding  difficulties  existing  that  could  not  be  settled 
amicably,  advised  disbanding,  and  this  advice  was  followed,  x\pril 
12,  1845  The  number  of  members,  when  organized,  was  nine. 
W^hole  number  included  in  membership  from  beginning,  ninety- 
eight.  James  Robinson  served  the  church,  both  as  deacon  and 
clerk,  during  the  whole  existence  of  the  church. 

June  26,  1845,  a  new  Baptisi  church  was  organized,  consisting 
of  nine  of  the  members  of  the  original  church.  Alvah  Chase  was 
chosen  clerk,  which  oflSce  he  held  till  his  death  in  1851.  In  1852, 
Willis  Leach  was  appointed  clerk,  and  in  1858,  deacon. 

In  the  year  1847,  Rev.  J.  C.  Bryant,  then  settled  at  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Cambridge  Center,  began  work  here  and  remained 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  373 

till  the  spring  of  1851,  when  P.  C.  Himes  of  Wells,  Maine,  settled 
at  East  Swanton,  ministering  to  the  church  there  and  at  this  place 
alternate  Sundays.  From  September,  1852,  until  the  spring  of 
1856,  the  pulpit  was  supplied  by  various  theological  students,  to- 
gether with  Dr.  Smith  from  New  Hampton  Institution,  Fairfax. 
Then  Rev.  Geo.  W.  Bixby  was  with  the  church  one  year.  Prof. 
Cummings,  of  New  Hampton  Institution,  was  also  pastor  one  year, 
1858  or  1859.  From  that  time,  till  1866,  the  church  w^as  again  de- 
pendent upon  student  supplies.  From  1868,  till  August  3,  1871» 
little  was  done  and  no  records  kept.  In  the  summer  of  1870,  the 
church,  in  connection  with  the  Methodist,  succeeded  in  building 
a  house  of  worship,  each  church  oA\Tiing  one-half.  This  was  dedi- 
cated in  February,  1871.  L.  B.  Elliott  was  chosen  clerk,  which 
office  he  held  till  his  death.  Josiah  White  was  chosen  deacon  and 
he  too  held  his  position  till  death,  December  21, 1880.  Rev.  L.  B. 
Parker  was  pastor,  1871-1875;  I.  W.  Coombs,  1876;  M.  L.  Fox, 
died  while  pastor,  June  12,  1877;  De  F.  Safford  succeeded  him, 
September,  1877,  and  preached  till  1881. 

September  25,  1852,  the  church  granted  a  license  to  preach  to 
J.  W.  Buzzell.  He  studied  theology  at  New  Hampton  Institution 
and  was  ordained  at  East  Sheldon  in  1856.  July  7,  1855,  Corwin 
Blaisdell  was  licensed  to  preach.  He  studied  theology  at  Fairfax, 
also,  and  was  ordained  at  Colton,  N.  Y.  In  1887,  Rev.  Henry 
Crocker,  pastor  of  the  Fairfax  church,  began  to  preach  alternate 
Sundays  in  the  afternoon,  and  continued  to  do  so  till  1893,  when 
he  was  obliged  to  give  it  up  for  lack  of  strength  to  do  the  work  of 
both  churches. 

Rev.  Edgar  Hatfield,  of  Westford,  was  then  engaged  and  was 
followed  by  Rev.  E.  P.  Lyon  in  1896,  who  served  one  year.  The 
church  since  then,  unable  to  maintain  preaching,  has  become  ex- 
tinct. The  Methodist  church  ministers  to  the  needs  of  the  com- 
munity, so  long  occupied  by  the  two  churches. 

Johnson 

In  1780,  a  charter  was  granted  to  a  Mr.  Brown  of  Jericho  and 
the  boundary  lines  fixed.     By  him  the  territory  was  called  Brown- 


374  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

ington.  The  grantee,  before  making  any  attempt  at  a  settlement, 
was  taken  by  the  Indians,  who  infested  the  northern  boundaries, 
and  by  them  carried  away  and  sold  to  the  British  officers  of  St. 
Johns.  He  remained  in  captivity  three  years.  When  released,  he 
returned  to  his  claim  purchase.  But  because  the  charter  fees 
had  not  been  paid  and  nothing  was  kno^m  of  him,  a  man  by  the 
name  of  Johnson  had  received  a  grant  of  the  same  territory.  At 
his  return  Mr.  BrouTi  was  granted  a  towmship  in  Orleans  county 
in  place  of  this.  The  charter  was  signed  by  the  governor  in  1792, 
and  the  name  recorded  as  Johnson,  after  the  name  of  the  grantee. 
The  first  settler,  Samuel  Eaton  and  family,  came  from  New  Hamp- 
shire in  1784.  He  built  him  a  home  on  the  banks  of  the  Lamoille 
River.  All  his  goods  were  brought  seventy  miles  on  the  back  of 
his  family  horse.  The  next  year,  two  brothers,  named  McConnell, 
followed  him.  Others  followed  the  same  year.  Among  them  are 
the  familiar  names  of  Miller,  Rogers,  Mills,  Smith,  Grey,  etc. 
From  1790  to  1800,  a  second  band  of  settlers  came  from  New  Boston 
and  Amherst,  N.  H.,  and  again  we  find  familiar  names,  as  Dodge, 
Wilson,  Balch,  and  Ellenwood.  From  Massachusetts  and  Con- 
necticut came  others,  as  Ferry,  Clark,  Wheeler,  Atwell,  and  a  little 
later  came  families  by  the  names  of  Griswold,  Ober,  Patch,  Per- 
kins, Waters,  Nichols,  Whiting,  and  Waterman.  These  are  still 
familiar  family  names  in  the  town. 

In  the  month  of  March,  1807,  Elder  David  Boynton,  of  Spring- 
field, Vt.,  in  search  of  a  place  to  locate  himself  where  there  might  be 
an  opening  for  him  to  labor  in  the  Gospel,  as  well  as  at  his  trade, 
which  was  that  of  a  bricklayer,  was  providentially  directed  to 
Johnson,  where,  while  spending  a  few  days  to  fix  upon  a  location  for 
his  family,  by  embracing  opportunities  for  religious  conversation 
with  those  he  chanced  to  meet,  fourd  many  disposed  to  listen,  and 
after  preaching  a  few  times,  was  determined,  more  by  the  prospect 
of  usefulness  in  the  cause  of  Christ  than  of  pecuniary  advantage  to 
himself,  to  settle  in  the  towa.  The  next  March  he  removed  his 
family  into  the  town  and  commenced  holding  stated  meetings  for 
preaching  and  d'vine  worship.  In  a  few  weeks  the  appearance  of 
seriousness  on  the  minds  of  the  people,  induced  him  to  appoint 
meetings  for  prayer  and  conference.     It  soon  became  evident  that 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  375 

a  good  work  of  the  Lord  was  in  progress,  five  had  obtained  hope 
of  pardon  and  were  desirous  of  submitting  themselves  to  the  ordi- 
nance of  baptism.  These  were  accordingly  baptized — others  fol- 
lowed soon,  so  that  in  November,  twelve  had  been  baptized,  who 
with  two  others,  were  organized  into  a  church  in  the  following 
manner : 

The  little  band  had  determined  to  call  a  council  and  to  arrange 
for  it,  when  to  their  great  surprise  and  joy,  Elder  Ariel  Kendrick, 
sent  out  by  the  Woodstock  Association  as  a  missionary,  arrived 
in  town,  accompanied  by  a  Brother  Willey,  a  licentiate,  who  to- 
gether with  Elder  Boynton,  made  up  a  number  sufficient  to  form 
a  council.  Of  this  council.  Elder  Kendrick  was  chosen  moderator 
and  Brother  Elijah  F.  Willey,  clerk.  November  11,  1808,  the 
twelve  converts  were  organized  as  a  church.  Two  others  were  im- 
mediately added;  Jonathan  Burnham  was  chosen  deacon  and 
Charles  B.  Taylor,  clerk.  Additions  by  baptism  and  letter  con- 
tinued till  one  year  from  the  date  of  their  organization.  They 
numbered  thirty -nine. 

The  names  of  the  constituent  members  are  as  follows :  Nathan 
Atwell,  Enos  Clark,  Jonathan  Burnham,  Eunice  Clark,  Martha 
Davis,  Sally  Ferry,  Martha  Fletcher,  Charles  B.  Taylor,  Eleanor 
Ferry,  Parker  Fletcher,  James  Heath,  Lucy  Taylor,  Joel  Wheeler, 
and  Martha  Wheeler.  Elder  D.  Boynton,  from  the  church  in 
Weathersfield  and  Baltimore,  was  first  pastor,  and  served  till  1821. 
He  still  continued  a  member  of  this  church  and  resided  m  Johnson 
until  his  death,  except  for  a  time,  when  he  became  pastor  of  the 
church  in  Coit's  Gore,  now  known  as  Waterville.  Nine  members, 
with  Elder  Boynton,  were  dismissed  to  form  that  church,  which 
continued  its  existence  for  nearly  twenty  years. 

Elder  John  Spaulding  was  next  engaged  to  preach  half  the 
time  in  conjunction  with  Morristown.  He  labored  here  two  years. 
Robert  Hastings  followed  from  September,  1824,  one  year.  Rev. 
Joel  P.  Hayford  began  a  pastorate  in  July,  1826,  which  continued 
till  1830.  He  died  in  1831.  He  was  born  in  Middleboro,  Mass., 
February,  1799;  graduated  at  Waterville  College,  Me.;  ordained  at 
Morris ville,  December  21,1831.  Elder  Alber  t  Stone  became  pastor 
in  1831.     He  had  been  ordained  in  his  own  house  in  Waterville  in 


376  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

February  of  the  same  year.  His  coming  was  followed  by  a  revival, 
in  which,  during  that  year,  thirty-seven  were  added  by  baptism  and 
two  by  letter.  His  pastorate  continued  till  1840.  They  were 
years  of  increase  in  numbers  and  strength.  During  his  pastorate, 
the  first  meeting-house  was  built.  Elder  Stone  accepted  the  doc- 
trines of  William  Miller,  after  his  pastorate  here  closed.  He  died 
in  that  faith  in  the  fall  of  1893,  at  the  advanced  age  of  ninety  years. 
Elder  E.  L.  Clark  was  pastor  from  August  24,  1840,  to  Jan- 
uary 8,  1842.  Many  were  added  to  the  church  during  these  ex- 
citing times  of  the  Millerite  preaching.  Mr.  Clark  espoused  the 
Millerite  faith  and  was  deposed  by  a  council.  From  1842  to 
1850,  the  pulpit  was  occupied  by  R.  A.  Hodge,  J.  P.  Hall,  and 
I.  J.  Cressey.  Then  came  Rev.  Moses  H.  Bixby.  His  pastorate 
of  a  year  and  a  half  was  one  of  marked  success.  Eighteen  were 
added  by  baptism  and  ten  by  letter;  the  Sunday  school  became 
large  and  flourishing.  From  Johnson,  Mr.  Bixby  was  called  of  God 
to  enter  the  work  of  foreign  missionary%  and  later  to  the  pastorate 
of  the  Cranston  St.,  Providence,  R.  I.  Rev.  E.  Gale  was  ordained 
pastor,  October,  1852.  The  membership  at  this  time  was  one  hun- 
dred and  sixteen.  He  baptized  twelve.  Rev.  T.  M.  Merriam 
followed  in  1856  and  continued  pastor  till  1861.  Under  him,  twenty- 
four  were  baptized.  Rev.  L.  B.  Steele  was  ordained,  after  his 
graduating  from  New  Hampton,  in  July,  1863.  He  obtained  a 
strong  hold  upon  the  affections  of  the  people  and  baptized  seven- 
teen. The  pastors  succeeding  were:  Rev.  H.  D.  Hodge,  1866- 
1870;  D.  C.  Bixby  and  J.  P.  Hall,  supplies;  Jabez  Ferris,  1872-1874; 
B.  F.  Rattrey,  1875-1878;  (at  the  close  of  his  work  the  church 
numbered  one  hundred  and  forty -three,  the  largest  in  its  history) 
J.  A.  Pierce,  1879-1883;  T.  Crudgington,  1884-1888.  Baptisms 
were  frequent  during  this  pastorate  and  forty  were  added  to  the 
membership.  Rev.  N.  C.  Saunders  began  a  successful  pastorate 
in  1889,  which  lasted  till  1896.  Sixty -five  were  added  to  the  church, 
forty-four  of  them  by  baptism.  A  historical  sketch  of  the  church 
was  written  by  him  and  read  at  the  eighty-fifth  anniversary  of  the 
church,  November  3,  1893.  A  succession  of  brief  pastorates  have 
followed:  R.  I.  MacLellan,  1898;  A.  L.  Boynton,  1899;  S.  E.  Pack- 
ard, 1900;  H.  C.  Leach,  1904;  C.  E.  Hargrave,  1905-1906;  G.  A, 
Williams,  1907-1908;  A.  M.  Watts,  1909-1910. 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  377 

Colchester  \ 

The  first  persons  in  Colchester  to  embrace  the  sentiments  of 
the  Baptists  were  Brother  Fisher,  and  his  wife  and  sisters,  Roby 
Greenough,  Mehitable  Ames,  and  Jane  Hooper.  These  people 
became  residents  of  Colchester  about  1810,  and  Brother  Fisher 
preached  for  a  short  time,  having  been  licensed  by  a  church  in 
New  Hampshire.  He  remained. in  Colchester  till  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  February,  1811.  After  his  decease  there  were  none  in 
Colchester  who  embraced  the  Baptist  faith  till  1816.  That  year. 
Brother  Jonathan  Blake,  a  licentiate  from  the  church  in  Essex, 
came  and  preached  and  many  were  converted.  In  October,  1816, 
Ebenezer  Spencer  and  Peter  Burns  were  baptized  by  Elder  Roswell 
Mears.  A  few  weeks  later  he  baptized  nine  others.  The  eleven 
recently  baptized  and  two  others  baptized,  before  coming  to  Col- 
chester, now  longed  for  church  fellowship.  They  decided  to  call  a 
council,  which  met  on  the  27th  of  November,  1816,  and  recognized 
this  little  company  of  thirteen  as  a  Baptist  church.  The  names  of 
these  constituent  members  were:  Walter  Ames,  Azariah  Lee, 
Ebenezer  Spencer,  Peter  Burns,  Parker  M.  Dole,  Melze  Packard, 
William  Blakely,  Mehitable  Ames,  Jane  Hooper,  Sohina  Clapp, 
Silome  Washburn,  Minerva  Hill,  Isabella  Blakely.  The  church 
enjoyed  the  labors  of  Jonathan  Blake  till  1817  and  many  were  con- 
verted, some  of  whom  united  with  the  Congregation  alists  and 
Methodists,  which  were  strong  bodies  in  comparison  with  the 
Baptists.  From  the  spring  of  1817,  till  January,  1820,  the  church 
had  no  spiritual  guide,  but  in  this  interval  eleven  were  added  by 
baptism.  Ebenezer  Spencer  was  chosen  clerk,  and  Azariah  Lee 
was  ordained  deacon.  Phineas  Culver  was  installed  in  1820,  and 
with  an  interruption  of  two  years,  served  the  church  nine  years, 
and  the  church  came  to  number  thirty-one  members.  At  this 
time  the  Baptists  in  Colchester  were  a  poor,  despised  people,  their 
sentiments  were  everywhere  spoken  against.  The  church,  left 
without  a  pastor  and  depressed  by  the  loss  of  members,  removing 
from  town,  despaired  of  continuing  as  a  church,  and  in  1832,  they 
voted  to  give  the  members  letters  of  dismission  and  recommenda- 
tion to  unite  with  any  other  church  of  the  same  faith  and  order. 


378  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

but  the  members  did  not  use  their  letters  and  two  years  later  they 
got  together  again  and  determined  that  they  would  maintain  their 
visibility  as  a  church.  They  employed  Elder  J.  C.  Bryant  to 
labor  with  them,  for  eighteen  months.  Then  Elder  Isaiah  Hunt- 
ley, of  Jericho,  befriended  them,  holding  special  meetings,  which 
were  blessed  in  the  conversion  of  a  good  number  and  twenty  were 
baptized.  In  the  fall  of  1839,  WilHam  Miller,  of  Hampton,  N.  Y., 
lectured  a  few  days  in  Colchester  and  was  received  with  sympathy. 
His  preaching  resulted  in  the  baptism  of  twenty-three  into  the 
Baptist  church.  Again  in  1840,  William  Miller  came  and  lectured 
and  twenty-five  were  baptized  and  ten  united  by  letter.  The 
membership  of  the  church  was  seventy  in  1840,  and  ninety  in  1841. 
Elder  Huntley,  who  came  to  them  in  their  depressed  state  and  con- 
tinued to  shepherd  them  from  time  to  time,  won  their  deep  grati- 
tude. 

In  1860,  they  decided  to  build  a  meeting-house  by  themselves. 
In  July,  they  secured  as  pastor,  Rev.  S.  A.  Whiting,  and  the  church 
entered  upon  a  season  of  prosperity  which  lasted  seven  years. 

After  this  came  strife  and  removals  and  consequent  weakness. 
Since  the  erection  of  the  new  meeting-house  the  following  men 
have  acted  as  pastors :  S.  A.  Whiting,  July  1,  1862-December, 
1863;  George  S.  Chase,  February  24,  1869-May  5,  1872;  Rev. 
R.  Nott,  August  4,  1872-July,  1875;  J.  W.  Buzzell,  January,  1876- 
January,  1878;  H.  C.  Robbins,  August,  1878-1879;  H.  H.  Davis, 
1881-1884;  J.  S.  Ferguson,  1885;  Dr.  Freeman,  1887;  S.  E.  Miller, 
1889-1897;  Thomas  Davison,  1899-1900;  J.  T.  Buzzell,  1901- 
1908;  S.  E.  Aldrich,  1909.     Membership  (1912),  fifty-seven. 

Jericho 

April  21,  1817.  a  branch  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Essex  was 
set  off  and  organized  as  a  church  in  Jericho.  The  manner  of  con- 
ducting their  meetings,  the  name  of  their  first  pastor  and  the  salary 
offered  him,  are  recorded  in  the  following  vote,  passed  near  the 
close  of  the  year  1819.  Voted,  that  Brethren  Joiner,  Norton,  and 
Castle  stand  as  those  who  shall  take  lead  of  the  meetings.  Voted 
to  add  $17  to  the  subscription  to  make  up  $75  to  Elder  J.  Ravlin 
for  preaching  two  years  past. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  379 

Meetings  were  held  half  of  the  time  at  the  village,  known  as 
the  Corner,  and  the  other  half  at  the  south  part  of  the  town,  be- 
ginning February,  1823.  Up  to  1829,  the  pastors  were  Thomas 
Hastings,  Joel  P.  Hayford,  and  Elders  Kimball,  Spaulding  and 
Cheney,  serving  in  the  order  named.  In  1829,  Elder  J.  M.  Graves 
was  chosen  pastor  and  immersion  and  additions  to  the  church 
make  up  its  record  till  the  close  of  his  labors  in  1833.  Rev.  Tim- 
othy Spaulding  was  recalled  and  remained  till  1835.  He  was  fol- 
lowed by  Elder  I.  Huntley,  five  years.  Elder  Hodge  was  pastor 
in  1843,  and  in  February  of  this  year,  thirty-nine  persons  were  set 
off  and  organized  into  a  church  called  the  Second  Baptist  church 
of  Jericho,  later  known  as  the  West  Bolton  church.  Rev.  H.  M. 
Stearns  acted  as  pastor  from  the  close  of  Elder  Hodge's  service 
in  1845,  for  two  years,  followed  by  Rev.  Peter  Chase  for  one  year, 
and  S.  H.  Abbott  from  1850  to  1852;  Rufus  Smith,  1852-1856; 
1856-1859,  served  by  supplies.  A  house  of  worship  and  parson- 
age were  built  in  1859.  Later  pastors:  James  Andem,  1859- 
1861;  H.  C.  Estes,  1861-1872,  the  longest  pastorate;  Evan  Lewis, 
a  short  time;  A.  Jones,  1874-1880;  DeForrest  Safford,  1880-1883; 
P.  C.  Abbey,  supply;  J.  W.  Coombs  to  1886;  Richard  Bradshaw, 
ordained,  1889-1890. 

Rev.  A.  N.  Woodruff  came  in  1890  and  remained  till  1894, 
when  Rev.  J.  T.  Buzzell  began  his  service,  which  continued  till 
1901.  The  following  pastors  have  served  since  this  long  pastorate 
closed:  O.  N.  Bean,  1901-1903;  G.  W.  Campbell,  1905;  Frederick 
Emerson,  1907-1908;  N.  M.  Wolcott,  1910. 

In  1874,  extensive  repairs  were  made  on  the  meeting-house, 
and  in  1891,  the  prayer  meeting  room  was  constructed  and  the 
furnace  put  in  the  basement  of  the  church. 

Up  to  1869,  there  had  been  six  hundred  and  nine  persons  con- 
nected with  the  church.  At  that  time  the  roll  was  examined  and 
there  were  found  to  be  one  hundred  and  thirty- three  names  then 
enrolled  and  the  committee  recommended  that  fifty-two  of  these 
be  stricken  from  the  roll  for  various  reasons,  leaving  eighty-one 
as  the  membership  then.  Additions  have  been  made  from  time 
to  time,  the  most  notable  that  of  1896,  when  twenty  baptisms  are 
reported.     Losses  have  been  many  and  the  present  membership  is 


380  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

fifty-seven.  Deacon  E.  B.  Read  kept  the  records  faithfully  for 
thirty-eight  years  and  W.  R.  Curtis  for  more  chan  twenty  years 
since  then. 

The  longest  period  of  continued  prosperity  was  probably  that 
of  the  eleven  years'  ministry  of  Rev.  H.  C.  Estes,  and  it  remained 
for  Rev.  J.  T.  Buzzell  to  record  the  largest  single  year's  addition 
by  baptism  within  the  church's  history  in  1896. 

Montgomery 

The  Baptist  church  in  Montgomery  Center  was  organized 
March  18, 1820,  with  ten  members;  Elder  John  Ide,  acting  pastor. 
1826-1827,  Elder  Grow  served  as  pastor.  In  1829,  the  church  had 
reached  a  membership  of  about  thirty.  1831  was  a  year  of  refresh- 
ing. Elder  Powell  served  the  church  and  baptized  seventeen. 
From  1833  to  1840,  the  church  was  served  by  Elders  Spaulding, 
Beeman,  Stone,  Rockwell,  Cole,  and  Flint.  Elder  L.  Cole  was  the 
first  pastor  settled  in  1835.  During  this  period  several  were  bap- 
tized. The  exact  number  is  not  known,  as  the  records  were  de- 
stroyed by  fire.  In  1846,  the  pastor.  Rev.  A.  Stone,  and  a  large 
portion  of  the  church,  were  carried  away  with  the  Miller  doctrine, 
and  no  meetings  were  held  during  the  next  six  years.  The  church 
became  practically  extinct. 

In  1846,  a  council  convened  and  organized  a  church  after  the 
apostolic  order  of  twelve  members.  Elders  J.  Spaulding  and  I. 
Cressey,  supplied  part  of  the  time.  From  1850  to  1859,  Elders 
Jersey  and  A.  L.  Arms,  labored  as  time  would  permit.  In  1860, 
the  church  numbered  about  fifteen.  Rev.  J.  W.  Buzzell  labored  a 
year.  Up  to  this  time  the  church  had  met  in  schoolhouses.  Now 
they  secured  the  use  of  the  Advent  house  part  of  the  time.  Eleven 
were  liaptized  this  year.  1861  was  a  year  of  blessing.  The  church 
doubled  its  membership.  From  1862  to  1868,  Rev.  J.  W.  Buz- 
zell was  pastor.  In  1862,  Rev.  J.  S.  Small  served  about  a  year. 
1865,  a  building  committee  was  appointed.  In  January  30,  1867, 
the  new  church  edifice  was  dedicated.  George  A.  Parker  was 
ordained  the  same  day  that  the  church  was  dedicated,  a  parsonage 
secured,  and  the  church  was  greatly  revived.     The  membership 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  381 

was  again  doubled;  thirty  being  added  by  baptism,  fourteen  by 
experience,  and  seven  by  letter;  total  fifty-one.  From  1868  to 
1872,  Rev.  J.  F.  Ferguson  was  pastor.  These  were  prosperous 
years.  In  1868,  Brother  S.  H.  Green  was  licensed  to  preach  and 
commenced  a  course  of  study  at  Hamilton.  Brother  G.  A.  Smith 
was  also  recommended  to  the  same  institution,  with  the  ministry 
in  view.  In  1869,  the  church  reported  thirteen  added  by  baptism, 
and  five  by  letter;  were  saddened  by  the  death  of  Deacon  King. 
In  1870,  a  commodious  church  was  built.  The  debt  on  the  meet- 
ing-house was  reduced  to  $350.  In  1871, Rev.  H.  G.  DeWitt  as- 
sisted the  pastor  in  revival  work.  During  Mr.  Ferguson's  pas- 
torate forty-six  were  received  into  the  church,  twenty-eight  by 
baptism.  April,  1873,  Rev.  A.  S.  Gilbert  became  pastor,  and 
served  with  acceptance  about  four  years.  Prosperity  continued. 
Seventeen  were  added  by  baptism,  four  by  letter  and  one  by  ex- 
perience. Within  about  ten  years  the  church  sent  out  seven  young 
men  to  preach  the  Gospel. 

In  1864,  George  H.  Parker,  ordained  in  1867;  in  1867,  S.  H. 
Green,  ordained  in  1875;  in  1868,  George  H.  Smith,  ordained  in 
1876;  in  1868,  M.  L.  Fox,  ordained  in  1875;  in  1871,  John  Low; 
1874,  J.  T.  Buzzell;  1875,  O.  W.  Peck. 

Rev.  S.  B.  Macomber  labored  from  May  1,  1876-August, 
1879.  During  his  work  the  last  of  the  debt  was  paid,  and  he  helped 
to  pay  it.  Rev.  S.  G.  Chase  supplied  till  January,  1880,  when 
Rev.  S.  H.  Anderson  was  chosen  pastor.  He  served  until  August, 
1881.  The  church  was  supplied  by  G.  Arms,  S.  B.  Macomber 
and  Thomas  Grusia,  till  May,  1883,  when  the  church  called  Rev. 
Thomas  Tellier.  During  his  pastorate  of  three  years,  nineteen 
were  added  to  the  church,  fifteen  by  baptism. 

In  March,  1887,  Rev.  R.  S.  Cook  became  pastor.  Evange- 
listic meetings  were  held,  assisted  by  State  Missionary,  Rev.  A. 
McGeorge.  Fifty-seven  were  added  to  the  church,  thirty-seven 
by  baptism,  nineteen  by  experience,  one  by  letter.  July  1,  1888, 
the  church  called  E.  K.  Dexter  and  ordained  him  as  pastor.  He 
served  about  two  years  and  resigned  on  account  of  poor  health. 
In  December,  1890,  Robert  MacJannet  was  called  and  ordained. 
He  remained  about  six  months.     In  the  spring  and  summer  of 


382  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

1892,  Mrs.  M.  L.  Jackson  was  employed.  In  the  fall  of  1894, 
Rev.  D.  Cooksley  came  and  staid  six  months.  In  the  fall  of  1895, 
Frank  A.  Leach  commenced  to  supply  and  continued  till  April, 
1896.  May  10,  1896,  the  church  called  Rev.  Charles  J.  Engstrom. 
During  all  these  years  there  have  been  men  and  women,  who  have 
stood  by  the  church,  toiling,  praying  and  sacrificing,  because  of 
their  love  for  Christ  and  his  cause.  Among  the  number  it  will  be 
proper  to  mention  a  few.  Deacon  Kingsley,  Stephen  Kendrick, 
Mary  Kingsley,  Deacon  Davis,  Deacon  Campbell  and  his  wife. 
Deacon  L.  Hurlbut,  William  Peck,  Joseph  Wright,  George  W. 
Wright,  William  O.  Parker,  and  wife,  S.  N.  Dix,  Mary  J.  Wright, 
Columbus  Green,  Martha  Green. 

RiCHFORD 

The  present  Richford  Village  Baptist  church  is  the  fourth  that 
has  been  organized  in  Richford. 

The  first  Baptist  church  was  gathered  by  the  labors  of  Rev. 
William  Marsh  and  Rev.  J.  Hebbard  and  was  organized  August 
12,  1802,  with  eleven  constituent  members.  These  were  John 
French,  Francis  Brown,  Friend  Gibbs,  Stephen  Carpenter,  Jere- 
miah Rowe,  Sibbal  French,  Rhoda  Gibson,  Lucy  Gibbs,  Florinda 
Carpenter,  Chloe  Schovill  and  Nancy  Calf.  Shortly  afterward 
they  were  joined  by  Thomas  Arms  and  his  wife,  Martha;  Parker 
Ingalls  and  his  wife,  Mabel;  John  Stearns,  Caleb  Sanders,  and  his 
wife,  Sally ;  Anna  Coff ,  Lucy  Powell  and  Charlotte  Nutting. 

In  March,  1804,  Elder  William  Rogers  became  first  pastor. 
He  was  a  native  of  Hancock,  Mass.,  son  of  Elder  Clark  Rogers,  who 
was  settled  minister  in  that  town;  was  baptized  by  Elder  J.  Heb- 
bard in  St.  Armands,  and  was  the  second  person  baptized  in  that 
place,  and  one  of  the  seven  constituent  members  there  when  the 
church  was  organized.     He  was  ordained  in  September,  1802. 

God  blessed  Elder  Rogers '  labors  and  the  church  increased  to 
a  membership  above  eighty.  But  unhappy  divisions  and  difficul- 
ties took  place.  One  of  the  first  was  on  account  of  one  of  the  breth- 
ren allowing  his  children  to  attend  balls.  After  long  discussions 
and  efforts  at  satisfactory  discipline,  eight  or  ten  withdrew  from 


HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  383 

the  church.  About  this  time,  a  woman  began  a  train  of  prophesy- 
ing, as  she  called  it,  pretending  to  have  messages  from  Heaven  to 
denounce  against  Elder  Rogers,  calling  him  a  sheep  in  wolf's  cloth- 
ing, and  a  devourer  of  the  flock,  etc.,  and  considered  that  she  had 
authority  from  God  to  depose  him  and  to  name  others  in  his  stead. 
Some  of  the  church  were  half  inclined  to  believe  her.  However, 
in  spite  of  difficulties,  the  Lord  revived  His  work  and  added  to 
their  number,  those  who  gave  evidence  of  having  been  renewed  by 
grace.  Other  trials  soon  came,  but  the  fatal  one  was  division  upon 
doctrinal  questions,  one  part  of  the  church  being  strongly  Calvinis- 
tic  and  the  other  Armenian. 

Elder  Rogers  continued  his  labors  until  age  and  infirmities 
disabled  him.  He  died  March  9,  I80I,  after  service  of  forty-seven 
year's.     At  this  time  the  church  became  extinct. 

The  Second  Baptist  church  was  organized  about  1827,  by  those 
who  left  the  first  church  on  account  of  the  doctrinal  differences. 
Prosper  Powell  and  Albert  Stone  were  pastors  of  this  church.  A 
large  number  of  this  church,  with  their  pastor,  Albert  Stone,  became 
Second  Adventists  in  1842.  As  a  consequence,  the  church  be- 
came extinct  in  1844. 

The  Third  Baptist  church  in  Richford  was  organized  with  four- 
teen constltutent  members  on  the  16th  of  July,  1851.  Rev.  J.  C. 
Bryant  was  the  first  pastor  and  served  five  years.  Rev.  A.  Bedell 
served  as  pastor  two  years.  In  March,  1860,  Rev.  A.  L.  Arms  be- 
came pastor  and  continued  to  serve  until  the  church,  after  an  ex- 
istence of  twenty  years  and  eight  months,  thought  it  advisable  to 
disband.  On  the  25th  of  March,  1872,  the  church  met,  and  with 
the  advice  of  the  late  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith  and  Dr.  Estes,  deemed 
it  advisable  to  give  letters  of  dismission  to  all  members  in  good 
standing  and  to  dissolve  the  church  for  the  purpose  of  clearing  the 
way  for  the  present  organization. 

The  Fourth  Baptist  church,  called  the  Richford  Village  church, 
was  organized  with  twenty -three  constituent  members  on  the  25th 
of  March,  1872.  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith  served  as  pastor  for  the  first 
three  years.  He  received  able  assistance  from  Rev.  H.  C.  Estes, 
D.  D.,  during  the  first  year.  By  advice  of  Mr.  Smith  pews  were 
purchased  in  the  new    edifice,  built    by  Adventists    and  others. 


384  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

$2,000  were  paid  for  these  with  the  promise  of  the  use  of  the  build- 
ing one-half  the  time.  Rev.  J.  S.  Goodall  was  next  pastor  one  year; 
G.  S.  Chase,  three  years;  and  J.  T.  Buzzell,  two  years.  Good  work 
was  accomplished  and  many  added  to  the  church. 

In  September,  1886,  Rev.  W.  G.  Schofield  was  called  to  the 
pastorate  and  held  the  sacred  office  until  1907.  The  arrangements 
with  the  Adventists  concerning  the  joint  use  of  the  house  worked 
smoothly  for  a  time,  but  at  length  a  jealousy  on  the  part  of  the 
Adventists  led  them  to  seek  a  separation.  Efforts  on  the  part  of  the 
Baptists  to  buy  out  the  shares  of  the  Adventists  proved  unavailing, 
and  on  the  9th  of  October,  1887,  the  Baptists  began  holding  their 
services  in  music  hall,  meanwhile  erecting  a  meeting-house  of  their 
o"v\Ti.  On  the  30th  day  of  August,  1888,  the  new  house  was  dedi- 
cated free  of  debt.  The  cost  of  the  new  house  was  about  $4,500. 
The  church,  happy  in  their  new  house,  seemed  on  the  high  road  to 
prosperity.  The  Lord  graciously  smiled  on  them.  Their  meetings 
were  of  high  spiritual  order  and  converts  were  multiplied.  The 
aid  of  the  State  Convention  was  relinquished.  But  in  1892,  thirty 
members  moved  away  to  other  places  and  six  passed  to  the  better 
country.  Among  them  were  the  very  best  workers  and  most 
liberal  givers.  The  pastor  thought  it  best  to  resign,  but  the 
church  were  not  willing  to  let  him  go,  but  on  the  contrary,  built  a 
convenient  parsonage  and  retained  his  faithful  labors. 

During  the  first  ten  years  of  this  pastorate,  ninety  new  mem- 
bers were  added,  sixty-six  of  them  by  baptism.  The  membership 
increased  from  forty-six  to  seventy.  Ten  years  later  the  number 
enrolled  was  one  hundred  and  eight.  Mr.  Schofield 's  pastorate 
of  thirty  years  was  well  nigh  an  ideal  one.  The  relation  between 
him  and  the  church  and  people  of  the  community,  one  of  confidence 
and  esteem. 

After  the  resignation  of  Mr.  Schofield,  Rev.  Silas  P.  Perry 
was  called  to  the  pastorate  and  took  up  the  work  with  character- 
istic hopefulness  and  energ>%  remained  five  years,  welcomed  to 
membership  thirty-eight  by  baptism,  twenty-one  by  letter  and  ex- 
perience. Numerical  losses  were  many,  twenty-one  having  been 
dropped  from  the  list  in  1908.  Mr.  Perry  removed  in  1911,  to 
take  up  the  work  in  Fair  Haven,  Vt.  The  present  membership  of 
the  church  is  one  hundred  and  six,  (1912). 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  385 

Huntington 

This  church  was  organized  as  a  branch  of  the  Hinesburg 
church  May  17,  1828.  Elder  Peter  Chase  officiated  at  the  first 
meeting  of  the  church  and  Amos  Dike  was  clerk.  January  1, 
1833,  Daniel  Bennett  commenced  to  preach  one-third  of  the  time 
for  one  year.  April  6th,  the  church  separated  from  the  Hinesburg 
church  and  became  the  Huntington  church,  with  twenty-six  mem- 
bers. These  were:  Amos  Pike,  Aaron  Firman,  John  Ellis,  Harry 
Williams,  Lumon  Loveland,  James  Hazard,  George  Small,  Lemuel 
Livermore,  Lydia  Dike,  Mary  Firman,  Catherine  Ellis,  Susan 
Williams,  Lucinda  Small,  Hannah  Ellis,  Polly  Fargo,  Roby  Car- 
penter, Mary  Ann  Livermore,  Betsy  Bunker,  Hannah  Fitch, 
Mary  Derby,  Sarah  Ingersol,  Lucy  King,  Mary  Firman,  2nd, 
Phileta  Marieo,  Sibil  Livermore,  Hannah  Ellis,  2nd.  Harry  Will- 
iams was  clerk,  1837-1843;  John  Work,  1843-1861;  Joseph  Butts, 
1861-1875;  O.  Ellis,  1875;  Aaron  Firman  was  first  deacon,  hold- 
ing office  till  his  death,  1843,  when  John  Ellis  succeeded  him. 
G.  B.  Andrews  was  chosen  November  7.  Elder  Daniel  Bennett 
labored  with  the  church  six  or  seven  years  one-third  of  the  time, 
commencing  January  1,  1833.  A.  D.  Low,  (licensed)  preached  in 
the  winter  of  1840-1841.  William  Hurlbut  commenced  his  min- 
istry here;  was  ordained  and  became  pastor  September,  1841. 
He  remained  with  the  church  over  eleven  years.  In  1843,  twenty 
were  received  by  baptism  and  four  by  letter,  about  doubling  the 
membership  of  the  church.  In  1840,  they  built  their  first  meeting- 
house; J.  Ellis,  S.  Buel,  H.  Williams  and  A.  Firman,  bearing  nearly 
the  whole  burden.  The  following  incident  in  connection  with  this 
building  is  related : 

Mr.  Harry  Williams  called  one  evening  at  Mr.  J.  Ellis'  and 
suggested  that  the  Baptists  ought  to  have  a  house  of  worship,  as 
there  w^ere  three  other  denominations  occupying  the  schoolhouse 
in  that  place.  The  cjuestion  arose.  How  can  it  be  done?  Mrs. 
Carter  Ellis  said  she  w^ould  help  all  she  could.  She  had  two  geese 
and  one  gander,  and  she  said  she  would  give  all  she  could  get  from 
them.  The  old  goose  laid  eighteen  eggs.  She  set  five  under  a 
hen  and  thirteen  under  the  goose.     Every  egg  hatched.     The  old 


386  HISTORY  or  the  baptists  in  VERMONT 

goose  took  care  of  them  for  three  weeks,  when  she  was  missing. 
Search  revealed  the  fact  that  the  old  gander  had  taken  charge  of 
the  eighteen  goshngs  and  the  old  goose  was  laying  again  in  her  old 
nest  under  the  barn.  She  laid  eight  eggs  and  hatched  seven  gos- 
lings, making  a  family  of  twenty-five.  Twenty  of  them  matured. 
The  young  goose  raised  ten.  Mr.  Ellis  saved  one  for  Thanksgiving 
and  sold  twenty-nine  in  Burlington  for  seventeen  cents  apiece. 
The  feathers  sold  for  sixty-two  cents  per  pound.  The  proceeds 
were  given  to  aid  in  building  the  house  of  worship.  Others  were 
stimulated  to  bring  in  their  mites.  The  material  having  been  ob- 
tained, the  building  was  commenced.  Mrs.  C.  Ellis  went  a  dis- 
tance of  a  mile  and  carried  a  warm  dinner  to  the  workmen  until 
the  building  was  finished.  Mr.  Ellis,  after  working  on  his  farm  all 
day,  would  drive  to  Bristol  in  the  evening  and  l>e  gone  all  night 
after  lumber.  Mr.  John  Fitch,  having  only  pine  lumber,  gave  a 
supply  of  this  for  the  new  meeting-house.  He  was  not  a  religious 
man.  This  house  served  the  church  till  1861,  when  they  joined 
with  the  Free  Baptists  and  built  a  larger  house. 

After  Elder  Hurlbut's  long  pastorate  the  church  was  supplied 
by  different  anes  for  short  periods.  Chester  Ingraham,  of  Essex, 
in  1855;  G.  W.  Bixby,  in  1863;  G.  W.  Arms,  in  1864;  J.  S.  Small,  in 
1867,  1868,  and  1869.  In  1874,  I.  P.  Kellogg  became  pastor, 
continuing  till  about  1876.  In  1874,  special  meetings  were  held, 
assisted  by  E.  A.  Whittier,  evangelist,  and  the  church  was  much  re- 
vived and  eight  were  added  to  its  membership.  In  1884,  A.  S. 
Gill)ert  of  Hinesburg  supplied  once  in  four  weeks;  I.  P.  Kellogg 
again  in  1887.  From  that  time  on  the  church  declined,  having 
only  occasional  preaching.  In  1893,  the  name  of  the  church  was 
removed  from  the  list  of  churches  in  the  Lamoille  Association  as 
having  become  extinct. 

North  Fairfax 

The  North  Fairfax  neighborhood  was  settled  by  emigrants 
from  Bennington,  among  whom  were  a  few  Baptists  who  "spake 
often  to  one  another"  concerning  the  things  of  the  Kingdom,  and 
welcomed  itinerant  preachers,  as  Elder  Call  and  Elder  Grossman, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  387 

prayed  for  the  conversion  of  their  neighbors.  In  1816  and  1817, 
the  Spirit's  influence  was  felt  in  the  community  and  quite  a  num- 
ber were  converted  and  some  of  these  united  with  the  church  in 
Fairfax.  It  was  not,  however,  till  November,  1827,  that  it  was 
deemed  prudent  to  organize  a  church.  Then,  encouraged  by  the 
help  of  Daniel  Sabin,  of  Georgia,  an  organization  was  effected  and 
the  church  recognized  by  a  council  the  following  June,  1828.  The 
name  given  the  organization  was  "The  New  Church  of  Fairfax." 

The  constituent  members  of  the  North  Fairfax  church  were: 
Alonzo  Mason,  Peabody  Bal)cock,  Francis  Storj' ,  Moses  Howard, 
Asahel  Story,  Ruth  Story,  Chloe  Story,  Hulda  Babcock,  Nancy 
Beeman,  Mary  Howard,  Hannah  Mason,  Fhila  Mason  and  Polly 
Beeman. 

In  December,  1828,  Daniel  Sabin  was  ordained  pastor.  The 
next  year,  in  the  month  of  September,  there  were  some  indications 
of  special  interest,  and  at  the  close  of  a  Sabbath  meeting,  liberty 
was  given  for  any  who  washed  to  speak,  when  a  young  man,  under 
deep  emotion,  asked  that  old  and  most  important  question,  "What 
shall  I  do  to  be  saved?"  The  inquiry  fanned  the  latent  interest 
into  a  flame,  and  a  powerful  revival  followed,  in  which  some  sixty 
persons  gave  evidence  of  conversion  and  twenty -three  were  bap- 
tized into  the  membership  of  this  church ;  most  of  these  were  heads 
of  families.  In  the  autumn  of  1836,  under  the  evangelistic  labors 
of  Elder  Isaiah  Huntley,  came  another  gracious  ingathering. 
Twenty-three  were  baptized,  all  in  the  vigor  of  youth.  Three 
years  later.  Rev.  J.  D.  Baldwin,  then  in  the  service  of  the  State 
Convention,  led  the  church  in  evangelistic  services.  Elder  Daniel 
Sabin 's  health  failing  about  1840,  he  retired  from  active  pastoral 
work,  much  to  the  regret  of  his  people.  The  church  secured  the 
labors  of  Rev.  O.  W.  Babcock  one-half  the  time  and  prospered. 
In  November,  1842,  the  Lamoille  Association  held  a  quarterly 
meeting  with  this  church,  which  was  followed  by  a  deep,  religious 
interest.  Elder  Daniel  Sabin 's  health  continuing  poor,  the  services 
of  Elder  L.  A.  Dunn,  of  Fairfax,  were  secured  for  one-half  the  time. 
This  arrangement  continued  till  about  1849.  Rev.  G.  B.  Bills 
preached  in  1850;  R.  A.  Hodge,  1851  and  1852;  G.  W.  Bixby,  1853 
and  1854.* 


388  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  establishing  of  New  Hampton  Institution  in  Fairfax  was 
an  encouragement  to  the  church  in  North  Fairfax.  One  of  the 
teachers,  M.  A.  Cummings,  was  secured  as  a  supply,  and  in  1856, 
was  ordained  by  this  church  and  continued  to  serve  the  church  till 
1860.  For  a  few  years,  students  from  the  Institution  supplied  the 
pulpit.  Then  in  1865,  Rev.  G.  W.  Arms  served  three  years. 
For  about  ten  years  the  church  was  without  regular  preaching, 
then  arrangement  was  made  with  the  church  in  St.  Albans  and 
its  pastor,  Rev.  G.  S.  Pratt,  supplied  about  three  years.  From 
that  time  the  church  declined  till  about  1890,  when  it  disbanded. 

North  Fairfield 

This  church  was  organized  May  26,  1830,  with  fifty-two  mem- 
bers, forty-six  of  whom  had  been  prcA-iously  members  of  the  South 
Fairfield  church  and  were  dismissed  for  this  purpose.  Elder 
William  Arthur,  who  had  been  pastor  of  the  South  church,  took 
charge  of  this  branch  and  continued  in  that  relation  two  years. 
He  was  followed  by  Elder  James  Rockwell,  one  year.  In  March, 
1835,  the  church  carried  into  effect  a  plan  of  itinerant  preaching, 
in  connection  with  several  other  churches.  Elder  Luther  Cole  and 
Elder  Moses  Flint  were  the  preachers  the  first  year,  and  Elder 
Moses  Flint  and  Elder  James  M.  Beeman  the  second  year.  Then 
Elder  William  Chase  commenced  preaching  one-fourth  of  the  time 
and  continued  till  1841.  In  the  spring  of  1839,  Elder  J.  Baldwin 
assisted  in  special  revival  meetings,  and  as  a  result,  twelve  were 
baptized  by  Pastor  Chase.  Brother  Edwin  x\dreon  came  to  re- 
side in  town  in  1841,  and  preached  to  this  church  one-half  the  time. 
Asahel  Famsworth  and  Elias  Sherman  were  chosen  deacons  and 
ordained  to  their  ofiice.  In  1842,  twenty-eight  were  received  by 
baptism.  J.  M.  Beeman  was  pastor,  1843-1845.  In  1844,  thirteen 
members  were  dropped  from  the  list.  The  same  year  a  church  was 
organized  in  the  east  part  of  the  tow7i  and  reported  to  the  Associa- 
tion, under  the  name  of  the  East  Fairfield  Baptist  ctnirch.  The 
name  does  not  appear  again.  The  natural  inference  is  that  this 
number  were  dropped  to  form  the  new  church  which  soon  became 
extinct.     The  cause  of  this  separation  is  not  known.     The  names 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  389 

of  I.  Waldron,  J.  Spaulding,  J.  Bowdich,  appear  as  supplies  during 
the  next  decade.  In  1857,  the  North  Fairfield  church  joined  with 
the  church  in  Sheldon  in  the  support  of  a  pastor,  whose  services 
they  enjoyed  alternate  Sundays.  The  name  of  the  North  Fairfield 
church  disappears  from  the  minutes,  and  the  name  Sheldon  and 
Fairfield  church  appears  for  a  few  years.  In  1858,  this  church 
ordained  J.  W.  Buzzell  as  pastor,  and  had  a  membership  of  thirty- 
two.  In  1860,  Corwin  Blaisdell  was  the  preacher.  After  this 
time  the  name  of  the  North  Fairfield  church  disappears  from  the 
minutes,  and  its  history  as  a  church  thus  ends. 

HiNESBURG 

The  Baptist  church  in  Hinesburg  was  constituted  May  30, 
1810,  consisting  of  eighteen  members,  seven  men  and  eleven  women. 
These  members,  most  of  whom  lived  in  Hinesburg,  were  dismissed 
from  the  church  in  Monkton.  The  most  perfect  harmony  and 
christian  affection  existed  between  the  mother  church  and  the 
newly  organized  band.  Elder  Isaac  Sawyer,  then  pastor  of  the 
Monkton  church,  preached  for  them  occasionally  and  adminis- 
tered the  ordinances.  The  eighteen  constituent  members  were: 
John  Beecher,  and  his  wife,  Lydia;  Asa  Moon  and  his  wife,  Hannah; 
John  Miles  and  his  wife,  Mary  Ann;  John  Beecher  and  his  wife, 
Clarissa;  Elisha  Booth  and  his  wife,  Elizabeth;  Stephen  Post  and 
his  wife,  Hannah;  Amos  Dike,  Merch  McEuen,  Anna  Willard, 
Rhoda  Bostwick,  Hulda  E.  Booth,  Lydia  Andrews. 

The  church  has  had  a  large  number  of  pastors,  most  of  whom 
have  served  for  only  a  few  years.  The  longest  pastorates  have  been 
those  of  Peter  Chase,  six  years;  I.  G.  Burwell,  twelve  years;  A.  S. 
Gilbert,  nine  years;  C.  W.  Safford,  six  years. 

Rev.  Peter  Chase  came  to  Hinesburg  on  invitation  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  May,  1821,  and  continued  to  preach  to  the  church 
until  August,  1828.  During  the  years  of  1823  and  1824,  he  taught 
a  select  school  in  the  masonic  hall,  and  the  success  of  this  school 
led  to  the  origin  of  the  academy,  and  in  its  organization  and  in  the 
erection  of  the  building,  Mr.  Chase  took  a  very  active  and  success- 
ful part,  as  also  in  the  erection  of  the  Baptist  meeting-house.     He 


390  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

had  commenced  study  of  the  languages  and  the  higher  branches  of 
academical  education  at  the  age  of  twenty-one,  and  pursued  his 
studies  with  great  diligence  and  success  foi  four  years,  mostly  in 
Philadelphia.  He  is  said  to  have  acquired  the  ability  to  read  with 
considerable  ease,  Latin,  Greek,  Hebrew,  Chaldee,  German  and 
French.  He  transcribed  Chaldee  grammar,  from  the  only  copy 
he  could  find  in  Philadelphia,  in  1820.  He  went  from  Hinesburg 
to  Williston  in  1828,  and  thence  to  West  Enosburg  (1862). 

The  succession  of  pastors,  time  of  service  and  the  blessing  of 
God  upon  the  united  evangelistic  efforts  of  pastors  and  church,  as 
indicated  by  the  number  of  baptisms,  are  shown  in  the  accompany- 
ing table.  The  church  has  been  blessed  at  frequent  intervals  with 
gracious  outpourings  of  the  Spirit  and  the  conversion  of  souls,  as 
these  figures  clearly  show. 

Time  of 
service 

1813-1814 
1818-1821 
1822-1828 
1831-1832 
1833-1834 
1834-1837 
1839-1840 
1841  1843 
1844-1847 
1849-1851 
1852-1855 
1856-1858 
1859-1861 
1863-1867 
1867-1878 
1878-1887 
1888-1889 
1890-1891 
1893-1895 


No.  of 

Name 

Baptism 

Samuel  Churchill 

1 

Ephraim  Butler 

79 

Peter  Chase 

66 

S.  S.  Parr 

18 

WiUiam  Arthur 

33 

John  Ide 

29 

Amasa  Brown 

44 

W.  G.  Johnson 

22 

A.  H.  Stowell 

2 

M.  G.  Hodge 

38 

W.  L.  Picknell 

2 

Archibald  Wait 

5 

Freeman  Gregory 

20 

Reuben  Sawyer 

2 

I.  G.  Burweli 

58 

A.  S.  Gilbert 

24 

G.  H.  Page 

— 

P.  C.  Abbey 

22 

William  Fuller 

— 

Rev.  Ezra  Butler 

Governor  of  Vermont,  1S'2C — 1828 

First  President  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention 

Born,  1763— Died,  1838 


[This  is  a  composite  picture,  copyrighted  by  the  Tuttle  Company 
of  Rutland,  and  courteously  loaned  for  this  publication.] 


C.  Ayer 

2 

C.  W.  Safford 

19 

Philbert  Contios 

13 

E.  S.  Greenleaf 

6 

N.  C.  Gushing 

— 

HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  391 

1896-1897 
1899-1903 
1905-1906 
1907-1910 
1911 

Two  branches  of  this  church  have  become  independent  bodies. 
In  1828,  eighteen  members  went  out  to  form  the  Baptist  church  in 
WilHston,  the  mother  church  of  the  Burlington  church.  In  the 
same  year  twenty-six  members  were  set  off  to  form  the  Baptist 
church  in  Huntington, 

The  Hinesburg  church  has  given  of  her  sons  a  goodly  number 
for  the  christian  ministry.  It  gave  license  to  Thomas  Ravlin  in 
1814,  to  Emery  Hills  in  1827,  to  Perly  Work  in  1837,  to  Solomon 
Johnson,  son  of  W.  G.  Johnson,  1842;  Carlton  E.  Miles,  1842; 
Mr.  Thayer,  1860;  and  John  S.  Beecher,  1844.  Mr.  Beecher  gave 
himself  to  the  foreign  missionary  work  in  1854,  going  out  first 
under  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society,  and  after  a  few  years  re- 
turned to  this  country  and  went  again  under  the  Free  Missionary 
Society. 

In  1827,  it  built  a  substantial  house  of  worship,  and  later  a 
vestry,  which  was  used  for  some  years,  and  then  sold.  Expensive 
repairs  and  improvements  have  been  made  upon  their  meeting- 
house from  time  to  time. 

Among  the  early  members,  men  of  strong  character  and  ear- 
nest piety,  these  may  be  mentioned:  John  Beecher,  John  Miles, 
Edmund  Baldwin,  EHsha  Booth,  Asa  Moon,  Philo  Ray,  Shubael 
Clark,  (colored),  Stephen  Post,  Joseph  Stearns,  Lyman  Beecher. 
Descendants  of  four  of  these  names,  Baldwin,  Beecher,  Miles  and 
Post  have  long  been  among  the  main  supporters  of  the  church. 
Membership,  seventy-seven  (1912). 

Waterbury 

Previous  to  1791,  so  far  as  is  known,  there  was  but  one  pro- 
fessor of  religion  in  the  town  except  one  woman,  a  Congregationalist, 
whose  membership  was  in  another  place.     At  this  time  the  in- 


392  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

habitants  were  few  and  their  homes  far  apart.  No  reHgious  meet- 
ings were  held  and  Httle  attention  paid  to  this  subject.  In  De- 
cember of  that  year,  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  arrest  the  attention  of 
Ezra  Butler  to  the  subject  of  his  soul's  salvation.  After  having 
spent  five  or  six  days,  and  having  been  driven  hard  upon  the 
borders  of  despair,  he  obtained  evidence  that  he  had  passed  from 
death  unto  life,  and  was  enabled  to  go  on  his  way  rejoicing.  A 
year  later  he  was  baptized  by  Elder  Joseph  Call.  The  next  year 
David  Atkins  and  his  wife,  who  had  moved  into  town  from  Clare- 
mont,  N.  H.,  were  baptized.  These  three  united  with  the  Baptist 
church  in  Bolton.  Later  a  few  other  Baptists  moved  into  Water- 
bury  without  uniting  with  any  neighboring  church.  About  the 
year  1800,  the  brethren  in  Bolton,  impressed  with  the  need  of  more 
laborers  in  their  field,  which  seemed  to  be  white  for  the  harvest, 
began  offering  prayer  for  that  object,  and  soon  became  convinced 
that  one  of  their  own  number  was  endowed  with  gifts  fitted  for 
that  purpose,  and  that  it  was  their  duty  to  call  Ezra  Butler  to 
ordination.  A  council  was  called  and  Mr.  Butler  was  ordained 
in  his  own  house  in  February,  180L  The  next  May,  the  few  Bap- 
tists residing  in  Waterbury,  eight  or  ten  in  all,  organized  a  Baptist 
church  there.  These  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and  the  com- 
fort of  the  Holy  Ghost,  were  multiplied,  until  they  numbered  about 
thirty.  But  a  season  of  declension  followed.  Some  apparently 
apostatized  and  the  love  of  others  became  cold.  Deacon  Atkins, 
and  his  family,  removed  to  Springfield,  Ohio,  and  some  to  other 
parts  of  the  land.  Elder  Butler's  health  became  impaired  so  that 
he  could  not  preach  all  the  time,  the  ordinance  of  the  supper  was 
neglected  and  the  church  lost  its  visibility  in  1807. 

From  1807  to  1819,  there  was  no  Baptist  church  in  town,  nor 
any  great  amount  of  Baptist  preaching.  Spiritual  interest,  how- 
ever, did  not  wholly  cease  and  now  and  then  a  convert  was  won  to 
Christ.  Toward  the  close  of  the  winter  of  1819,  without  apparent 
effort  on  the  part  of  christians  and  in  the  absence  of  the  means  of 
grace,  the  Spirit  of  God  wrought  on  the  hearts  of  the  people, 
prayer  meetings  were  held  in  different  neighborhoods,  and  a  num- 
ber were  hopefully  converted.  This  work  proved  quite  deep  and 
continuous.     Desire  for  a  church  was  awakened  and  on  the  6th 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  393 

of  August,  1819,  a  church  was  constituted,  consisting  of  twenty 
members,  with  Ezra  Butler,  pastor;  Paul  Dillingham  and  Chester 
Whitney,  deacons.  The  interest  continuing,  within  a  year  and  a 
half  twenty -two  were  brought  into  church  fellowship,  most  of 
whom  were  heads  of  families.  From  1821  to  1825,  on  account  of 
the  poor  health  of  Elder  Butler  and  the  lack  of  means  to  employ 
others,  the  services  and  ordinances  were  not  regularly  observed. 
In  1826,  while  general  apathy  prevailed,  some  were  deeply  con- 
cerned, appointed  neighborhood  meetings,  and  were  given  the 
spirit  of  prayer  and  exhortation.  A  revival  followed  and  twelve 
were  added  by  baptism.  Meetings  were  held  more  regularly. 
Samuel  Sebra,  a  licentiate,  assisted  Elder  Butler.  In  1831,  a 
substantial  brick  meeting-house  as  erected.  Special  meetings 
were  held,  assisted  by  Re\'.  J.  M.  Graves.  There  were,  however, 
some  difficulties  in  the  church  of  long  standing,  which  were  not 
wholly  removed,  although  some  twenty-five  were  added  to  the 
number  of  members  and  the  church  strengthened. 

For  four  or  five  years  following,  the  church  passed  through  the 
waters  of  affliction  and  trial.  Elder  Butler's  health  would  not 
allow  him  to  perform  much  pastoral  work.  The  difficulties  de- 
veloped into  larger  proportions.  In  1833,  Deacons  Dillingham  and 
Whitney,  becoming  aged,  were  excused  from  official  duties  and 
Ezra  Butler  and  Daniel  Green,  appointed  in  their  places.  Elder 
John  Ide  was  secured  as  pastor,  and  recognized  March  13,  1834. 
Deacon  Green  was  excused  from  oflBce  and  Erastus  Parker  ap- 
pointed. 

Elder  Ide 's  ministry  was  fruitful  and  thirty -two  were  received 
by  baptism  and  letter.  Elder  Aaron  Angier  was  next  pastor, 
1836-1839,  and  thirty-two  were  added  by  baptism  and  otherwise. 
In  March,  1839,  Elder  Julius  P.  Hall  was  chosen  pastor.  Revival 
followed  and  fourteen  were  added.  This  pastorate  continued  until 
1850.  The  membership  reached  the  number  one  hundred  and  one 
in  1847,  and  then  began  a  decline  which  was  somewhat  rapid  and 
seldom  arrested.  S.  Gustin  was  pastor,  1852.  I.  J.  Cressey,  who 
became  pastor  in  1853,  died  in  1855.  The  meeting-house,  becom- 
ing unfit  for  use,  a  new  one  was  erected  in  1858.  Pason  Tyler  was 
pastor,  1858-1861;  G.  A.  Bixby,  1862;  L.  B.  Hibbard,  1864-1866; 


394  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

A.  N.  Woodruff,  1867  1868;  E.  Goodspeed,  1869-1870.  Then  for 
ten  years  the  church  maintained  a  feeble  existence,  holding  coven- 
ant meetings  but  seldom  having  preaching.  Letters  to  the  As- 
sociation became  infrequent.  In  1878,  came  the  pitiful  plea,  "Do 
not  drop  us,  pray  for  us. '"  In  1881,  encouraged  by  a  visit  of  G.  S. 
Chase,  missionary  of  the  State  Convention,  a  pastor  was  secured 
for  one  year,  G .  A.  Wilkins.  From  that  time  the  name  of  the  church 
only  (with  the  name  of  the  clerk,  Mrs.  Mary  Tyler,  188^2-1883) 
was  inserted  in  the  minutes  of  the  Association  till  1896,  when  it 
disappeared. 

The  life  of  Ezra  Butler  was  so  interwoven  with  that  of  the 
Waterbury  Baptist  church,  in  particular,  that  a  fuller  account  of 
this  remarkable  man  may  fittingly  be  inscribed  here. 

Mr.  Butler  was  the  son  of  Asaph  Butler,  and  was  born  in 
Lancaster,  Worcester  County,  Mass.,  September  24, 1763.  He  was 
the  fifth  of  seven  children,  four  sons  and  three  daughters.  In  his 
seventh  year  his  father  moved  to  West  Windsor,  Vt.,  where  his 
mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Jane  McAllister,  soon  died,  and 
where  he  spent  the  next  se^•en  or  eight  years,  mainly  in  the  family 
of  his  elder  brother,  Joel  Butler.  When  about  fourteen  years  of 
age,  he  went  to  live  with  Dr.  Stearns  of  Claremont,  N.  H.,  as  a 
laborer  on  his  farm,  and  with  the  exception  of  six  months,  in  his 
seventeenth  year,  when  he  was  a  soldier  in  the  army  of  the  Revo- 
lution, he  continued  in  the  service  of  Dr.  Stearns,  having  almost 
the  entire  management  of  his  farm,  until  he  was  of  age. 

In  178.5,  having  spent  a  few  months  previous  in  Weathersfield, 
he  came  to  Waterbury,  in  company  wnth  his  brother,  Asaph,  next 
older  than  himself.  They  came  to  Judge  Paine 's  in  Williamstown, 
with  an  ox  team.  The  rest  of  the  way  they  came  on  snow-shoes, 
drawing  their  effects  on  a  hand-sled,  the  snow  being  three  or  four 
feet  deep.  It  must  have  been  a  joyful  day  to  the  Marsh  family 
when  these  two  young  men,  with  their  hand-sled,  hauled  up  before 
their  door.  Their  loneliness,  in  part  at  least,  was  ended.  Mr. 
Butler  and  his  brother  immediately  made  their  pitch,  near  where 
Mr.  C.  C.  Corse  afterward  resided,  and  made  a  s  lall  clearing, 
planted  it  to  corn,  and  returned  to  Weathersfield,  where  in  June, 
of  that  vear,  Mr.  Butler  was  married  to  Miss  Tryphena  Diggins. 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  395 

He  soon  returned,  and  finding  the  title  of  the  land  on  which  he  had 
pitched  bad,  he  selected  another  right  a  little  below  the  village, 
made  a  clearing,  built  a  log  house,  and  in  September  of  1786, 
moved  into  it  with  his  wife  and  child,  and  on  that  place,  he  spent 
the  remainder  of  his  eventful  life.  He  and  his  wife  made  their 
journey  from  Weathersfield  on  horseback,  much  of  the  way  by  a 
bridle-path,  and  in  this  way  brought  some  of  their  effects,  deemed 
most  necessary  in  the  matter  of  housekeeping.  The  brother,  who 
first  came  with  him,  settled  in  Richmond,  and  twenty  or  thirty 
years  later  moved  to  the  West.  Mr.  Marsh  subsisted  his  family 
to  a  great  extent,  hunting  and  fishing,  and  into  this  pioneer  life  Mr. 
Butler  was  soon  initiated.  Their  meat  was  that  of  the  moose,  the 
deer,  and  the  bear,  and  in  their  pursuit  they  were  often  led  far  from 
home  into  the  wilderness  of  neighboring  towns,  far  up  the  mountain 
sides,  not  unfrequently  camping  out,  the  cold  winter  nights,  to 
renew  the  chase  in  the  morning.  If  faint  with  weariness  and  hun- 
ger they  were  ready  to  despair  and  to  return  with  empty  hands, 
the  thought  of  a  starving  wife  and  children  put  new  vigor  into  their 
limbs,  new  resolves  into  their  hearts,  and  nerved  them  with  the 
energy  of  desperation.  Food  they  must  have  or  perish  in  the  pur- 
suit. It  was  a  battle  for  life  for  themselves  and  their  families,  and 
bravely  they  fought  it.  It  was  a  life  full  of  thrilling  adventures, 
with  which,  had  the  story  of  them  been  treasured,  a  volume  might 
be  filled.  By  these  hardships  the  constitution  of  Mr.  Butler  was 
seriously  impaired  before  he  was  thirty  years  old. 

As  Mr.  Marsh  was  drowned  before  the  next  settler  arrived, 
Mr.  Butler  was  properly  regarded  as  the  pioneer  man  of  the  town. 
Though  a  young  man,  he  took  prominent  part  in  all  the  private 
enterprises  and  public  movements  of  the  town.  He  built  the  first 
framed  house  in  town- — so  long  occupied  by  his  son,  Russell  Butler. 
To  him  was  issued  the  warrant  to  call  a  meeting  of  the  freemen  of 
Waterbury,  in  1790,  to  organize  the  town,  and  at  that  meeting  he 
was  chosen  town  clerk.  From  this  time  the  oflBcial  life  of  Mr. 
Butler  was  remarkable.  From  this  humble  beginning  he  went 
through  almost  every  grade  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  State. 

From  1794  to  1805,  with  the  exception  of  1798,  he  represented 
the  to^\Ti  in  the  general  assembly.      In  1807,  he  was  chosen  both  as 


396  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

a  representative  and  as  a  member  of  the  council ;  and  by  the  record 
of  votes  seems  to  have  acted  part  of  the  time  in  one  body  and  a  part 
in  the  other.  In  1808,  he  was  again  elected  to  the  council  and  with 
the  exception  of  1813  and  1814,  when  he  was  in  Congress,  he  was 
annually  re-elected  to  this  body  until  1826. 

In  1803,  he  was  elected  assistant  judge  of  Chittenden  County 
court,  Waterbury,  at  that  time  belonging  to  that  county,  and  was 
re-elected  to  that  oflBce  the  two  follo\\'ing  years.  In  1806,  he  was 
elected  chief  judge  of  that  court,  and  continued  to  hold  that  office 
until  1811.  In  1811,  Jefferson,  now  Washington  County,  was 
organized,  and  Judge  Butler  was  elected  chief  judge  of  that  county 
court,  and  except  two  years  (1813  and  1814)  when  in  Congress,  he 
held  that  office  until  1825,  when  the  judicial  system  of  the  State 
was  changed  to  substantially  its  present  form,  when  Judge  Butler 
was  chosen  first  assistant  judge  of  the  court. 

In  1806,  he  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  council  of  censors, 
and  in  1822,  a  member  of  the  constitutional  convention.  In  1804, 
and  again  in  1820.  a  presidential  elector.  In  1812,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  Congress  on  the  Republican  general  ticket,  along  with 
James  Fisk,  \Vm.  Strong,  \Vm.  C.  Bradley,  Richard  Skinner  and 
Charles  Rich.  In  1814,  the  candidates  of  the  Federal  party  were 
elected,  entirely  changing  the  delegation  from  Vermont.  In  1826, 
he  was  elected  governor  of  the  State,  and  reelected  the  following 
year,  and  each  time  "unthout  an  organized  opposition.  Immedi- 
ately after  his  second  election  he  declined  another  election,  and  at 
the  close  of  that  term  retired  from  official  life,  having  been  in  office, 
without  interruption,  from  the  organization  of  the  town  in  1790, 
often  holding  two  important  offices  at  the  same  time. 

In  addition  to  these  civil  and  political  offices,  he  was  a  com- 
mittee with  Elijah  Paine  and  James  Whitelaw,  to  fix  the  site  for 
the  first  State  House  in  Montpelier;  a  commissioner  in  1807,  wdth 
Samuel  Shaw,  John  Cameron,  Josiah  Wright,  and  Elihu  Luce,  to 
determine  the  place  and  plan  for  the  State  prison,  and  subsequently 
a  commissioner  to  locate  the  State  arsenal.  He  was  a  trustee  of 
the  University  of  Vermont  from  1810  to  1816.  Indeed,  there  was 
hardly  an  office  of  trust  and  honor  in  the  gift  of  the  people  or  legis- 
lature that  he  did  not  fill.     In  this  respect,  the  career  of  Gov. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  397 

Butler,  from  an  untrained  pioneer,— (his  schooling  was  limited  to 
six  months  in  his  boyhood)  from  a  hunter  and  trapper,  up  through 
almost  every  grade  of  office  to  the  chief  magistracy  of  the  State, 
is  a  remarkable  one  and  has  few  parallels  in  history.  These  honors 
and  trusts  he  won  by  his  sterling  sense  and  honesty,  and  by  his 
great  energy  and  strength  of  will.  Everybody  felt  that  whatever 
trusts  were  imposed  on  him  were  safe,  that  whatever  was  given 
him  to  do  would  be  done,  and  so  they  always  found  it. 

Mr.  Butler  had  a  religious  as  well  as  political  history,  and  the 
former  was  as  marked  and  positive  as  the  latter.  When  he  came 
to  Waterbury,  he  was  an  irreligious  and  profane  young  man,  and 
not  a  little  disposed  to  quarrel  with  certain  great  doctrines,  and 
so  he  continued  for  some  three  or  four  years.  The  story  of  his 
conviction  and  conversion  is  an  exceedingly  interesting  one.  At  a 
time  of  profoundest  indifference  in  regard  to  religious  things,  when 
he  did  not  know  of  a  religious  man  in  town,  and  before  there  had 
been  a  Gospel  sermon  preached  in  it,  his  attention  was  called  to  the 
subject  of  personal  religion  in  the  following  singular  manner. 
The  account  has  been  preserved  substantially  in  the  words  of  one 
who  received  it  from  his  own  lips:  "Being  obliged  to  work  hard 
during  the  week,  and  there  being  no  public  worship  in  town  which 
he  could  attend,  if  he  desired,  he  was  in  the  habit  of  spending  much 
of  the  Sabbath  in  sleep.  On  a  certain  Sabbath,  awaking  from  his 
sleep,  he  found  his  wife  reading  a  pamphlet,  and  proposed  to  read 
it  aloud  for  the  benefit  of  both.  The  beginning  and  end  of  the 
pamphlet  were  gone,  and  he  never  knew  whence  it  came,  what  was 
its  title,  or  who  its  author.  But  he  found  it  treated  of  a  subject 
which  in  former  times  had  given  him  great  perplexity,  viz.,  how  a 
man  could  be  blameable  for  a  disposition  which  he  did  not  create. 
He  would  admit  the  justice  of  God  in  punishing  overt  acts,  but  not 
wrong  propensities.  The  author  he  was  reading  made  it  appear 
that  we  are  justly  condemned  for  wrong  dispositions  as  well  as 
wrong  actions.  After  reading  awhile,  he  exclaimed  to  his  wife, 
'If  this  is  true,  we  are  undone. '  In  a  moment  all  the  convictions 
he  had  formerly  had  turned  upon  him  and  he  was  cast  into  the 
deepest  anxiety.  After  days  of  profoundest  darkness  and  sharpest 
distress,  bordering  on  despair,  he  was  brought  into  clear  light  and 


398  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

liberty  of  the  Gospel.  His  feet  having  been  set  in  the  way  of  life 
he  walked  circumspectly  in  that  way  to  the  end." 

His  was  the  first  conversion  in  Waterbury.  A  few  days  after 
his  conversion.  Rev.  Mr.  Call,  a  Baptist  minister  from  Woodstock, 
came  along  and  preached  the  first  sermon  in  Waterbury.  About 
a  year  after  this,  Mr.  Butler  was  baptized  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Call 
and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  in  Bolton.  At  the  organiza- 
tion of  the  Baptist  church  in  Waterbury,  in  1800  or  1801,  Mr. 
Butler  was  ordained  as  its  pastor,  and  amid  the  multitude  of  his 
civil  offices  he  continued  to  discharge  the  duties  of  this  office  until 
within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  and  that  without  salary  or  re- 
muneration. In  all  the  conflicts  of  party  politics,  and  all  the  labors 
and  perplexities  of  official  life,  it  is  said  the  meekness  and  dignity 
and  propriety  of  the  Gospel  ministry  never  forsook  him.  He 
walked  ujirightly,  and  with  serious  christian  deportment,  amid 
them  all.  ^^'ell  may  his  children  venerate  his  name  and  the  com- 
munity hold  him  in  lasting  remembrance. 

His  form  was  slightly  stooping,  his  complexion  dark  and 
sallow,  and  his  whole  appearance  quite  unprepossessing;  but  his 
penetrating  black  eye  and  the  calm  tones  of  his  voice,  quickly  told 
of  intellect  and  will  of  no  common  order.  He  died  July  f^,  1838, 
in  the  seventy -fifth  year  of  his  age. 

Burlington 

The  Baptist  chnrch  in  Burlington  cannot  be  classed  among 
the  pioneer  churches.  While  in  many  less  promising  places 
churches  were  coming  into  vigorous  life,  Burlington  was  taxing  the 
faith  of  a  few  residents,  and  the  benevolence  of  sister  churches. 
The  townshij)  was  chartered  in  1763,  by  Governor  Wentworth. 
An  attempt  to  effect  a  settlement  was  made  in  1775,  but  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  breaking  out  about  the  same  time,  the  settlers  were 
driven  back  by  the  Indians,  and  ore  of  the  number  killed.  In  the 
spring  of  1783,  the  first  permanent  settlement  was  eflfected  by  six 
or  eight  families  from  Massachusetts,  New  Hampshire  and  Con- 
necticut. 

From  that  time  till  1800, the  population  ii  creased  from  forty 


Hon.  Lawrence  Barnes 

A  pillar  in  Burlington  Baptist  Church,  a  power  in  the  state 

Born,  1815— Died,  1886 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  399 

to  six  hundred.  From  1783  or  1784,  no  traces  of  a  solitary  christian 
can  be  found,  and  the  Gospel  was  preached  only  occasionally,  as 
missionaries  chanced  to  pass  by.  In  1795,  Mr.  Lee,  a  Congrega- 
tional minister  from  Connecticut,  visited  the  place,  and  remained 
something  more  than  a  year.  Mr.  Lee  found  but  four  professors 
in  a  population  of  near  five  hundred.  His  labors  were  crowTied 
with  a  measure  of  success.  For  nine  years  after  he  left,  the  place 
remained  destitute  of  stated  preaching.  The  names  of  Kingsbury, 
Gartu  and  Williams  are  mentioned  as  occasional  supplies,  up  to 
the  time  when  Mr.  Saunders  entered  the  presidency  of  Vermont 
University,  who  then  became  the  religious  instructor  of  the  peo- 
ple, and  continued  as  such  until  the  organization  of  the  Congrega- 
tional church,  in  1815. 

The  first  settlers  were  reckless  of  the  interests  of  religion. 
There  is  no  evidence  of  the  erection  of  a  single  family  altar  before 
1800,  and  as  late  as  180'-2,  at  the  funeral  of  a  respectable  person, 
not  a  man  could  be  found  to  engage  in  prayer,  and  no  house  of 
public  worship  was  erected  until  1811. 

Records  have  been  searched  in  vain  for  a  single  member  of  a 
Baptist  church  before  1823.  From  that  time  till  1830,  a  few  traces 
of  our  brethren  have  been  found. 

The  first  member  of  a  Baptist  church,  of  which  any  informa- 
tion has  been  obtained  as  a  resident  of  Burlington,  was  a  Sister 
Boyington,  whose  husband  was  not  a  professor.  She  was  a  very 
devoted  sister.  Elder  Phineas  Culver  was  probably  the  first  Bap- 
tist minister  who  ever  proclaimed  the  Gospel  in  Burlington.  Some 
circumstances  led  to  his  acquaintance  with  Sister  Boyington, 
when  she  solicited  him  to  "come  over  and  help, "  and  it  is  believed 
that  his  first  sermon  was  delivered  in  her  house,  and  the  great 
probability  is  that  she  was  the  germ  from  which  Baptist  interests 
sprung  in  this  town.  Elder  Culver  continued  to  preach  occasion- 
ally in  the  academy,  which  was  generally  filled  with  attentive 
hearers. 

Soon  after  this.  Brethren  Pangborn  and  Ebenezer  Bartlett 
settled  in  the  village.  A  few  sisters  came  about  the  same  time. 
These  met  often  together.  Elder  Peter  Chase  made  them  a  visit, 
probably  about  1825  or  1826,  and  commenced  preaching  in  the 
court  house,  and  continued  his  labors  for  some  time. 


400  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Left  without  a  leader,  the  little  company  felt  keenly  their 
destitution  and  began  to  rally  and  to  cry  to  Heaven  for  help,  and 
finally  came  to  the  resolution  that  whatever  came  they  would 
throw  themselves  upon  the  promises  of  God,  and  ask  their  breth- 
ren to  constitute  them  into  a  branch  church,  under  such  regulations 
as  they  might  deem  proper. 

The  church  was  finally  organized  by  advice  of  a  council  as 
a  branch  of  the  Williston  church,  provided  that  church  extended 
to  them  their  fellowship  as  such,  January  5,  1830,  with  power  to 
transact  any  church  business  save  the  final  exclusion  of  members. 
The  persons  composing  this  branch  were  six,  viz.:  Ebenezer  Bart- 
lett,  Tera  Pangborn,  Esther  Pangborn,  Rebua  Bartlett,  Lucy 
Wainwright,  Ruth  Cheney.  Terah  Pangborn  was  appointed  their 
first  clerk,  and  they  adopted  the  Articles  of  Faith  of  the  Danville 
Association.  This  church  was  recejved  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Williston  church,  August  13,  1830,  and  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
Fairfield  Association  soon  after  its  organization,  and  with  other 
churches  was  dismissed  for  the  purpose  of  forming  the  Onion  River 
Association . 

Few,  poor,  and  without  a  place  of  worship,  the  church  began 
its  organized  work.  Brother  E.  Hill,  a  licentiate  of  the  Williston 
church,  was  their  first  preacher.  Elders  J.  M.  Graves,  Alvah 
Sabin,  M.  Cheney,  and  Elder  Winegar  of  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  sup- 
plied now  and  then.  Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper  were  first 
administered,  April  18,  1830,  by  Elder  Graves. 

Elder  Gregory  Norris  became  their  first  pastor,  July  24,  1834, 
and  on  the  26th  day  of  September,  with  the  advice  of  a  council, 
the  church  was  recognized  as  an  independent  church.  The  con- 
stituent members,  eleven  in  number,  were  as  follows : 

Elder  Gregory  Norris,  Benja.  D.  Hinman, 

Mrs.  Norris,  Abigail  Hmman, 

Charles  Benns,  George  Wells, 

Isabella  Benns,  Lucy  Wainwright, 

E.  Bartlett,  Silva  Proctor, 
Lorinda  Merritt. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT  401 

For  five  years,  the  little  church,  being  almost  without  pastoral 
watchcare,  maintained  a  precarious  existence.  Rev.  Mr.  Norris, 
who  had  been  laboring  with  them  previous  to  their  organization, 
took  his  departure  two  months  afterward.  Rev.  John  H.  Walden, 
who  accepted  a  call  to  the  pastorate  in  June,  1836,  resigned  in 
September  of  the  same  year.  In  June,  1835,  Rev.  Hiram  D.  Hodge 
became  pastor  and  resigned  at  the  expiration  of  nine  months;  but 
not  without  seeing  the  church  doubled,  numerically,  by  the  recep- 
tion to  its  fellowship  of  sixteen  by  baptism  and  two  who  brought 
letters  from  other  churches.  In  August,  1840,  Rev.  Hiram  Safford 
was  chosen  pastor.  Hitherto,  the  church  had  worshipped  in  a 
chapel  on  Colchester  Avenue,  built  for  their  use  by  Charles  Benns, 
one  of  the  constituent  members,  and  rented  to  them  at  a  nominal 
price.  At  length,  stimulated  by  the  earnest  encouragement  and 
guided  by  the  wise  counsel  of  Mr.  Safford,  the  church  purchased  a 
lot,  and  undertook  the  erection  of  a  house  of  worship,  on  the  south- 
west corner  of  Church  and  Main  streets.  Before,  however,  the 
little  band  were  able  to  complete  this  enterprise,  they  were  bereaved 
of  their  pastor,  who  died  July  28,  1844,  aged  fifty -three  years.  The 
work  of  this  consecrated  man  was  not  long,  but  was  so  fruitful  of 
important  results  as  to  make  him  worthy  of  special  mention.  He 
came  to  the  Burlington  church  when  the  church  was  poor,  and  few, 
and  overshadowed  by  Congregational,  Unitarian,  and  Methodist 
churches,  and  also  by  the  University  of  Vermont,  which  was 
officered  by  Congregational  professors.  He  preached  in  an  old 
academy  for  some  time.  His  congregations  were  small  and  the 
church  had  been  struggling  for  some  eight  or  ten  years  with  its 
head  just  above  water.  He  encouraged  his  people  to  build  a  meet- 
ing-house. He  circulated  the  subscription  in  the  town  and  the 
neighboring  towais,  and  as  he  was  a  mechanic  himself,  he  supervised 
the  building  of  the  house,  collected  the  subscription,  and  paid  for 
the  material  and  paid  the  workmen.  The  effort  was  a  noble,  self- 
sacrificing  effort.  Brother  Safford  was  a  noble  gentleman  and  he 
had  the  entire  respect  of  all  the  christian  community  of  Burlington, 
and  was  tenderly  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him. 

In  January,  1845,  Rev.  I.  H.  Parker  became  pastor  and  en- 
tered with  earnestness  upon  the  completion  of  the  house  of  worship. 


402  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

This  was  speedily  accomplished  and  the  dedication  took  place  on 
the  3d  day  of  April,  ensuing.  Mr.  Parker  resigned  after  a  fruitful 
ministry  in  November,  1852.  Rev.  Leonard  Tracy  became  pastor 
in  March,  1853.  The  protracted  illness  of  his  family  compelled 
him  to  resign  in  February,  1755,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  church. 
Mr.  H.  H.  Burrington  was  ordained  December  27,  of  the  same  year, 
a  man  of  frail  health  who  served  two  years.  In  January,  1858, 
Rev.  N.  P.  Foster  took  pastoral  charge  of  the  church,  which  he  re- 
tained eight  years.  His  pastorate  was  marked  by  an  interesting 
revival,  in  which  thirty -five  were  baptized  into  the  fellowship  of  the 
church.  The  period  of  this  pastorate  was  characterized  by  a  sub- 
stantial growth  in  material  resources,  which  manifested  itself  in  the 
erection  of  a  new  and  superior  house  of  worship  in  a  more  favorable 
locality,  on  St.  Paul  street,  at  a  cost  of  $32,550.  The  dedication 
took  place  December  15,  1864.  In  January,  Mr.  Foster  resigned 
and  the  church  remained  without  a  pastor  one  year.  During  this 
interval,  however,  they  enjoyed  manifest  tokens  of  divine  favor. 
There  was  developed  in  the  Sunday  school,  under  the  superin- 
tendency  of  Deacon  E.  A.  Fuller,  such  a  degree  of  religious  interest 
that  the  church  had  recourse  to  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  the  evangelist, 
for  assistance  in  reaping  the  evidently  ripened  harvest.  The  labors 
of  Mr.  Earle,  though  of  brief  duration,  were  attended  with  the 
blessing  of  God  and  large  numbers  were  added  to  the  church.  In 
February,  1867,  Monson  A.  Wilcox  became  pastor  and  was  ordained 
the  25th  of  April,  following. 

In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year,  a  mission  school  was  started, 
and  the  erection  of  a  chapel  on  Water  street  projected.  This  was 
speedily  acco  nplished  and  dedicated  January  9,  1868.  The 
school,  which  commenced  with  an  attendance  of  six,  so  increased, 
under  the  superintendency  of  George  E.  Davis,  as  to  tax,  not  un- 
frequently,  the  capacity  of  the  chapel.  In  April,  1875,  Mr.  Davis 
resigned  his  position  as  superintendent  and  in  1877,  this  work  was 
discontinued.  In  July,  1870,  the  church  was  incorporated  wath 
the  cordial  consent  of  the  society,  which  had  previously  had  charge 
of  its  business  affairs.  Early  in  the  same  year  enlargement  of  the 
house  of  worship  became  a  necessity,  and  it  was  extended  one-half 
its  original  dimensions,  securing  a  main  audience  room,  seating 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  403 

seven  hundred  and  thirty,  and  in  the  vestry,  accommodations  for 
five  hundred  or  six  hundred  persons.  The  cost  of  this  enlargement 
exceeded  $23,000,  giving  a  total  value  of  $55,550  to  the  enlarged 
structure,  which  was  dedicated  to  the  worship  of  God,  January  1, 
1871. 

The  same  winter,  fifty-eight  converts  were  baptized.  In  the 
autumn  of  1872,  the  church  established  a  French  Mission,  in  a 
chapel,  presented  by  Deacon  Mial  Davis  for  that  purpose.  Rev. 
A.  L.  Therrien  of  St.  Pie,  Canada,  was  secured  as  leader  of  this 
mission.  The  first  French  converts  were  baptized  May  3,  1874. 
In  1876,  financial  embarrassments  constrained  the  church  to  seek 
the  aid  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  French  work. 

In  1879,  the  mission  experienced  an  interesting  spiritual  re- 
freshing, which  resulted  in  the  accession  of  several  converts.  Mr. 
Therrien  relinquished  the  work  in  July,  1879,  to  take  up  the  work 
in  Grande  Ligne  Mission,  and  Rev.  J.  Rossier  immediately  as- 
sumed charge  of  the  mission,  which  continued  for  a  time  to  prosper, 
but  after  awhile  was  given  up. 

In  the  winter  of  1875,  there  was  a  gracious  spiritual  quickening, 
and  forty-eight  persons  were  baptized,  and  the  Sunday  school  be- 
came so  large  as  to  need  extension  of  its  accommodations. 

The  church  has  been  greatly  favored  with  the  wise  counsels  of 
its  deacons.  The  names  of  those  who  have  held  this  office,  and  the 
dates  of  their  appointments  and  retirement,  are  as  follows : 

Charles  Benns,  September,  1834,  to  January,  1845;  Daniel 
Stearns,  December,  1839,  to  1841;  Azariah  Lee,  August,  1844, 
died  February,  1851;  Wilham  Hawkins,  i\pril,  1845,  to  June,  1854; 
Isaac  Austin,  April,  1847,  to  January,  1849;  Milo  Fuller,  February, 
1854,  to  March,  1854;  Eliashib  A.  Fuller,  June,  1854;  Dandy 
Fletcher,  June,  1854,  to  Fel^ruary,  1856;  George  Duncan,  June, 
1856,  to  July,  1857;  Mial  Davis,  March,  1861,  to  December,  1878; 
John  Tennant,  December,  1867,  died  March,  1868;  Lawrence 
Barnes,  March,  1871;  Samuel  Bigwood,  March,  1871;  Volney  G. 
Barbour,  March,  1871,  to  May,  1873. 

The  following  persons  have  believed  themselves  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry  and  have  been  licensed  by  the  church : 


404  HISTORY   OF  TH^   BAPTISTS  J^  VERMONT 

Frank  W.  Ryder,  September  4,  1873;  Gaylord  B.  Smith, 
August  13,  1874;  Samuel  W.  Nichols,  August  14,  1874;  John  C. 
Bracq,  April  8, 1880;  Mr.  Ryder  was  ordained  at  Rockport,  Maine, 
August,  1876;  Mr.  Smith  was  ordained  at  Plainfield,  N.  H.,  June, 
1877. 

Mr.  Nichols  was  ordained  at  Essex,  N.  Y.,  in  September, 
1877;  and  in  the  autumn  of  the  following  year,  sailed  \\^th  his  wife, 
the  daughter  of  Lyman  Jewett,  D.  D.,  to  Madras,  to  labor  among 
the  Telugus.  Mr.  Bracq  was  converted  from  the  errors  of  Roman- 
ism in  the  summer  of  1875,  studied  at  McGill  University,  and  gave 
himself  to  the  foreign  mission  work. 

The  Baptist  church  in  Burlington,  beginning  its  existence  ^vith 
very  limited  resources,  early  asked  the  aid  of  the  Vermont  Baptist 
State  Convention,  and  for  a  period  of  twenty  years,  previous  to 
1859,  received  large  appropriations  for  the  support  of  its  ministry. 
Sometime  between  1850  and  1860,  the  Convention  Board  appointed 
a  special  committee  to  investigate  the  wisdom  of  having  a  Baptist 
church  in  Burlington  and  of  longer  continuing  aid  to  it.  Rev. 
L.  A.  Dunn  was  chairman  of  that  committee,  and  went  to  Burling- 
ton on  a  prayer  meeting  night,  to  meet  the  people  and  inform  them 
that  the  Convention  Board  had  decided  that  a  Baptist  church  was 
not  really  needed  in  Burlington,  and  could  no  longer  be  aided  from 
the  Convention  funds.  The  thirteen  members  fell  upon  their 
knees,  and  one  after  another  besought  Almighty  God  in  some  way 
to  carry  on  the  work,  and  help  thorn  to  maintain  a  New  Testament 
church  in  Burlington.  When  all  had  prayed,  Elder  Dunn  was  so 
moved  with  their  sincerity  and  determination,  that  he  reversed 
his  decision,  and  told  them  to  go  on,  and  the  Convention  Board 
would  help  them.  In  1856,  Lawrence  Barnes  began  business  in 
Burlington,  and  shortly  after  put  in  money  enough  so  that  the 
church  could  get  along  without  Convention  aid,  and  from  that 
time  until  the  present,  has  continued  to  grow  numerically,  spirit- 
ually, and  financially,  so  that  it  now  has  about  five  hundred  mem- 
bers, and  is  one  of  the  most  generous  supporters  of  the  State  Con- 
vention. Lawrence  Barnes  moved  from  New  Hampshire  to  Bur- 
lington in  1861,  as  the  business  which  he  established  in  1856,  had 
greatly  increased  and  prospered,  and  he  became  Burlington's  fore- 


Deacon  Willard  Crane,  Burlington 

Member  of  Convention  Board  for  thirty-three  years 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  405 

most  citizen,  and  always  proved  himself  an  earnest  christian  and 
a  true  philanthropist,  and  after  his  death,  Willard  Crane  and  D.  G. 
Crane  stepped  into  the  breach  and  for  many  years  have  given  much 
time  and  thought  to  the  work,  and  been  by  far  the  largest  con- 
tributers  for  the  support  of  preaching  and  the  expenses  of  the 
church. 

The  Burlington  church  has  long  since  cancelled  its  pecuniary 
obligations  to  the  State  Convention,  by  its  liberal  contributions 
to  that  missionary  body.  It  has  been  the  aim  of  this  church  to 
maintain  vital  interest  in  the  principal  enterprises  of  christian 
benevolence,  and  in  the  progress  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom 
throughout  the  world.  It  established,  at  a  very  early  period  and 
still  continues  to  cherish,  a  monthly  concert  of  prayers  for  missions. 

Pastors 

John  H.  Walden,  June,  1836,  to  September,  1836;  Hiram 
Dodge,  June,  1839,  to  February,  1840;  Hiram  Safford,  August, 
1840,  to  July,  1844;  H.  U.  Parker,  January,  1845,  to  November, 
1852;  Leonard  Tracy,  March,  1853,  to  February,  1855;  H.  H.  Bur- 
rington,  August  1856,  to  August,  1857;  N.  P.  Foster,  January, 
1858,  to  January,  1866;  Monson  A.  Wilcox,  February,  1867,  to 
1880;  F.  J.  Parry,  1882,  to  1886;  F.  S.  McFarlan,  1887,  to  1890; 
W.  S.  Roberts,  D.  D.,  1891,  to  1902;  F.  Dee  Penny,  1903,  to  1910; 
J.  S.  Braker,  1911. 

Suggestive  of  the  evangelistic  efforts  of  this  church,  within  the 
last  thirty  years,  there  have  been  received  into  the  church  by  bap- 
tism, eight  hundred  and  twenty-five  persons.  The  benevolent 
contributions,  as  reported  in  the  minutes  for  the  same  period, 
total  $21,443.  Present  total  membership  (1912),  four  hundred 
and  eighty -three. 

East  Enosburg 

The  East  Enosburg  church  observ^ed  its  centennial  October 
26,  1910,  Pastor  Rev.  William  J.  Clark  gave  the  historical  address, 
a  part  of  which  is  here  given.     It  must  be  said  of  the  history'  of  the 


406  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

past  century  in  this  place,  as  of  so  many  others,  that  it  has  been  one 
of  constant  struggle.  Or  to  put  it  in  the  words  of  Deacon  T.  T. 
Snell,  "part  of  the  time  we  have  been  swimming,  and  part  of  the 
time  we  have  been  swimming  with  our  heads  scarcely  above  water, 
yet  we  have  kept  on  swimming. "  The  first  Baptist  known  to  have 
hved  in  town  was  Joseph  Waller.  He  moved  here  February,  1806. 
Others  soon  joined  him,  and  steps  were  taken  looking  toward 
church  organization,  which  took  place  on  the  26th  of  October, 
1810.  There  were  ten  constituent  members.  There  is  no  record 
of  there  having  been  a  pastor  till  1812,  and  then  only  for  a  brief 
season.  During  long  periods  the  church  was  pastorless,  and  dur- 
ing other  periods  it  had  preaching  one-fourth  or  one-half  the  time. 
How  ever,  year  by  year,  some  additions  are  reported  and  the  church 
grew,  till  in  1833,  it  had  forty-seven  members.  This  gain  was  in 
spite  of  distracting  difficulties,  one  of  which  was  likened  to  the 
severing  of  a  limb  to  save  the  body.  In  1835,  a  few  churches  in  this 
region  organized  what  was  called  the  East  Enosburg  Conference, 
a  sort  of  circuit  preaching,  in  the  bounds  of  which  Brethren  Cole, 
Flint  and  Chase,  labored.  The  first  year,  1835,  Brethren  Cole  and 
Flint,  worked  among  the  seven  churches  of  the  circuit  and  their 
ministry  was  specially  blessed  to  this  church  and  eleven  converts 
were  baptized.  The  second  year.  Brethren  Flint,  Beeman,  and 
Chase,  were  engaged  on  the  circuit  and  a  revival  followed  in  Fair- 
field. But  the  third  year  the  circuit  preaching  was  discontinued, 
because  there  were  a  few  who  opposed  it.  The  churches  were 
urged  each  to  settle  its  own  pastor.  During  this  time,  however, 
a  continued  healthy  growi:h  was  maintained  and  the  membership 
became  fifty -three,  in  1841. 

At  this  time,  there  was  in  this  church  much  sympathy  for  the 
slaves,  some  members  of  the  church  having  been  members  of  the 
Anti-Slaverj'  Society  from  its  origin. 

But  now  there  came  a  sudden  reverse  in  the  continued  pros- 
perity of  the  church.  The  church  voted  to  discontinue  meetings 
when  they  had  no  pastor.  Perhaps  the  men  of  that  day  did  not 
realize  the  full  purport  of  this  action,  but  to  one  reading  the  records 
today,  it  seems  like  the  first  great  turning  point  in  the  church's 
history.     It  seemingly  makes  a  cooling  of  that  warm  spirituality 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  407 

which  had  previously  characterized  the  church.  However,  the 
church  kept  together  and  in  October,  1842,  Rev.  R.  A.  Hodge  be- 
came pastor.  For  the  next  ten  years  httle  was  done.  During 
the  latter  part  of  the  decade  they  had  preaching  only  one-fourth  of 
the  time.  During  the  next  six  years,  the  work  appears  to  have  been 
nearly  abandoned.  On  May  2, 1858,  Rev.  J.  W.  Buzzell  was  called 
to  the  pastorate  for  one-half  of  the  time.  He  went  from  house  to 
house,  hunting  out  the  places  where  spirituality  had  been  hibernat- 
ing and  bringing  it  again  to  the  light  of  day.  By  faithful  efiPort 
and  prayer  he  gave  the  church  the  impetus  which  has  made  what 
it  has  since  become. 

In  July,  1858,  the  East  Enosburg  and  the  West  Enosburg 
churches  united  and  a  revival  followed.  In  May,  1860,  twenty- 
five  baptisms  are  recorded.  A  new  meeting-house  was  built  and 
dedicated  about  December  20, 1860.  A  burdensome  debt  remained 
a  few  years,  but  was  finally  cancelled  by  the  generosity  and  firmness 
of  Deacon  Snell,  who  said,  "If  you  will  pay  the  whole  debt  I  will 
give  $50,  and  a  friend  ^\^ll  give  a  like  amount.  If  the  whole  is  not 
paid  I  will  not  give  a  cent. "  The  debt  was  paid  and  the  property 
deeded,  with  reversionary  clause,  to  the  State  Convention. 

During  the  early  sixties,  this  community  sent  out  its  quota  of 
men  to  the  army.  They  were  accompanied  by  the  active  sympathy, 
interest  and  prayers  of  the  church.  The  clerk  of  the  church  was 
appointed  to  hold  correspondence  with  the  brethren  in  the  army 
and  the  church  voted  to  look  after  the  families  of  the  soldiers  who 
belonged  to  the  church  and  provide  for  them  if  necessary.  This 
correspondence  brought  its  replies  from  the  men  at  the  front  and 
cemented  the  bonds  of  fellowship  which  had  previously  existed  and 
thus  was  a  benefit  to  the  men  at  home  as  well  as  to  those  in  the 
army. 

Another  revival  season  is  mentioned,  with  special  interest,  that 
was  about  1882  or  1883,  when  Rev.  G.  W.  Schofield  was  mightily 
used  of  God  as  a  messenger  of  life. 

The  church  bell  was  given  by  David  Stebbins,  in  memory  of 
his  mother.  At  the  same  time  he  left  $200  in  cash.  During  the 
recent  years  the  church  has  suffered  gradual  diminishing  in  num- 
bers by  death  and  removals.     The  present  resident  membership 


408  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

is  seventeen.  Three  men  have  been  ordained  by  the  church  and 
two  young  men  have  entered  preparatory  studies  for  the  ministry. 
In  1907,  the  church  was  closed.  In  1908,  it  was  reopened  and  Rev. 
Wm.  J.  Clark  chosen  to  work  with  this,  in  connection  with  the 
Enosburg  Falls  church.  At  the  dawn  of  the  new  century  the  out- 
look is  encouraging. 

1 
Berkshire 

January  3,  1905,  a  small  church  was  constituted  and  recog- 
nized in  Berkshire.  After  adding  eighteen  to  their  membership, 
they  secured  the  services  of  Elder  William  Rogers  a  part  of  the 
time.  There  are  no  records  of  any  other  preachers  until  1809, 
but  from  other  circumstances,  and  from  the  records  of  the  St. 
Armand  church,  it  is  probable  that  Rev.  William  Galusha  did 
preach  to  them  part  of  the  time  from  1806  to  1809,  when  Rev. 
Moses  Ware  was  installed  pastor  and  preached  for  a  number  of 
years,  until  1813.  There  are  no  records  after  that  time  to  show 
what  became  of  the  church.  From  the  minutes  of  the  Richmond 
Association,  we  find  that  in  1813  a  committee  was  appointed  by 
that  body  to  inquire  into  the  character  of  their  former  minister, 
Moses  Ware.  In  1814,  this  committee  reported  that  they  had 
made  what  inquiry  they  thought  proper,  relative  to  the  character  of 
Elder  Ware,  and  they  found  nothing  proved  against  him,  whereby 
his  character  could  be  impeached.  It  is  quite  likely  that  the  trou- 
ble, which  gave  occasion  for  the  appointment  of  this  committee, 
had  something  to  do  with  the  disbanding  of  this  church. 

Berkshire,  Second  Church 

In  1817,  another  council  was  called  in  Berkshire,  to  recognize 
as  a  Baptist  church,  nine  brethren  and  nine  sisters  who  had  banded 
together  for  that  purpose.  Ira  Smith  was  appointed  deacon  and 
Cromwell  Bowin,  clerk.  Rev.  William  Rogers  and  William 
Galusha  preached  to  them  part  of  the  time.  Their  covenant  meet- 
ings and  preaching  services  were  held  in  dwelling-houses  and  school- 
houses  till  1827,  when,  in  connection  with  the  Congregationalists, 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  409 

Methodists  and  Universalists,  they  built  a  meeting-house,  owned 
by  the  four  denominations  jointly,  and  occupied  by  each  a  quarter 
of  the  time.  On  December  29,  this  house  was  dedicated,  and  in 
January  following.  Rev.  William  Arthur  was  called  and  commenced 
labor  in  the  new  house.  His  work  was  greatly  blessed  and  this 
year  twenty -four  were  added  by  baptism  and  seven  by  letter. 
Eleven  were  dismissed  the  same  year.  Arthur  remained  two  or 
three  years.  Rev.  Mr.  Rockwell  served  one  year,  when  Peter  Chase 
became  pastor  in  1835,  and  continued  till  1841.  He  was  assisted 
in  1839,  by  Rev.  Mr.  Baldwin,  and  twenty-two  united  this  year  by 
baptism  and  four  by  letter,  making  the  total  membership,  fifty- 
nine.  In  1841,  Rev.  Albert  Stone  commenced  pastoral  work  and 
continued  till  1843,  when  the  Millerite  excitement  arose  and  the 
pastor  was  carried  away  with  it.  The  church  was  pastorless  for  a 
short  time.  Isaac  Cressey  came  and  preached  so  acceptably  that 
he  was  ordained  in  1846.  In  1848,  Rev.  F.  N.  Jersey  was  secured 
and  served  till  185 1 . 

A  protracted  season  of  depression  followed.  Removals  and 
deaths  were  saddening.  Rev.  S.  Adams,  a  theological  student, 
supplied  in  1854.  J.  W.  Buzzell,  A.  L.  Arms  and  Geo.  Parker,  a 
licentiate,  preached  from  1860  to  1867.  A  great  blow  came  to  the 
church  that  year  when  the  church  in  East  Franklin  was  organized 
ai  d  twenty  members  of  the  Berkshire  church  were  dismissed,  to 
unite  at  East  Franklin.  The  same  year,  Deacon  Jasper  Chaffee, 
a  strong  pillar  in  the  church,  died.  This  reduced  the  membership 
to  sixteen. 

During  the  decade,  1870-1880,  they  were  under  the  pastoral 
care  of  E.  Ashton,  E.  P.  Merrifield,  A.  L.  Arms,  David  F.  Estes, 
M.  G.  Smith,  J.  S.  Goodall  and  G.  S.  Chase.  From  1880  till  1885, 
Rev.  A.  L.  Arms  served  as  pastor,  and  during  the  years  1886, 
1887,  1888,  1889,  Rev.  Wilham  G.  Schofield,  of  Richford,  gave 
them  preaching  and  pastoral  care.  Since  this  time,  the  church  has 
not  sustained  regular  preaching  and  has  not  reported  to  the  As- 
sociation. In  1888,  the  subject  of  building  a  new  meeting-house 
was  strongly  agitated.  Mr.  Schofield  helped  to  secure  pledges  of 
money  for  this  purpose  and  succeeded  in  getting  $1800  subscribed. 
A  building  lot  was  secured  and  it  was  confidently  expected  that 


410  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

t 

a  new  meeting-house  would  be  built  that  year.  But  through  the 
inaction  of  the  building  committee,  nothing  was  done.  The  op- 
position of  some,  who  wanted  another  union  meeting-house,  was 
apparently  the  cause  of  the  inaction,  and  from  that  time  many 
lost  interest  in  the  church. 

Franklin 

Franklin  began  to  be  settled  about  1816,  and  a  few  Baptists 
were  among  the  inhabitants,  but  there  is  no  evidence  of  any 
attempt  to  organize  a  Baptist  church  there  previous  to  1831. 
In  1826,  Elder  John  Spaulding  became  a  resident  of  the  town  and 
preached  in  parts  of  it,  though  his  labors  were  chiefly  in  other  places, 
till  the  spring  of  1831,  when  he  thought  he  saw  signs  of  spiritual 
interest,  especially  in  the  northern  part,  and  his  mind  was  strongly 
impressed  that  there  was  a  field  ready  for  the  harvest.  He  began 
laboring  there  with  increasing  interest.  A  powerful  revival  fol- 
lowed, which  appeared  to  be  at  its  height  in  November,  though  the 
interest  did  not  subside  till  the  next  summer.  Among  the  one 
thousand,  one  hundred  and  thirty  inhaV)itants,  near  two  hundred 
were  thought  to  be  converted  within  a  year,  and  about  one  hun- 
dred joined  some  religious  society.  Some  of  the  few  Baptists, 
the  older  ones,  thought  the  time  had  come  to  set  up  a  Baptist 
church.  About  September  1,  a  covenant  meeting  was  held  in  the 
house  of  Job  Prouty.  Six  persons  only  were  ready  to  take  up  the 
cross  of  setting  up  a  standard  different  from  all  the  other  denomina- 
tions. These  were  J.  Spaulding  and  his  wife,  members  of  the 
Enosburg  Falls  church,  Dorcas  Glover  and  Harriet  Giddings,  of 
St.  Armand  church,  Mary  Shepard,  of  Rupert,  andLydia  Bradley, 
of  Fairfield  church.  These  appointed  a  similar  meeting  every 
other  Saturday.  At  the  third  meeting  a  convert  told  her  experi- 
ence and  was  baptized  into  the  Enosburg  Falls  church.  At  the 
next  meeting,  Dr.  Levi  Cu.shman,  an  influential  citizen  of  the  place, 
and  his  wife,  memliers  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Chester,  N.  Y.,  and 
Esq.  Clark  Rogers,  who  had  long  been  a  citizen  of  the  town,  with 
his  wife,  aged  people,  who,  in  their  younger  days,  had  lived  in 
Hancock,  Maine,  and  were  members  of  the  Baptist  church  there, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  411 

joined  the  little  band.  Their  number  was  twelve.  These  called 
a  council  which  met  October  26,  1831,  and  approved  of  their 
organizing  as  a  church  and  gave  them  fellowship.  In  about  six 
weeks,  the  number  was  doubled  by  baptisms.  The  next  September, 
it  joined  the  Fairfield  Association.  Its  numbers  increased  to 
forty-two,  in  1833.  From  that  time  began  serious  losses  by  dis- 
mission and  a  few  by  defection.  Elder  Spaulding  became  super- 
annuated and  by  1841  the  church  was  extinct. 

East  Franklin 

The  Baptist  church  in  East  Franklin  was  organized  and  recog- 
nized as  a  church,  June  11,  1867,  by  a  council  called  by  twenty 
brethren  and  sisters,  who  were  dismissed  from  the  East  Berkshire 
church  for  this  purpose.  G.  H.  Parker  was  pastor  till  May,  1869; 
E.  A.  Ashton,  till  February,  1870;  E.  P.  Merrifield,  May,  1870,  to 
May,  1872.  No  regular  preaching  till  July,  1874;  G.  M.  Smith, 
one-fourth  of  the  time  for  one  year;  G.  S.  Chase,  half  of  the  time; 
A.  L.  Arms,  alternate  Sundays,  1885-1893;  W.  G.  Schofield,  1885- 
1893;  A.  Darrach,  1894.  No  report  to  the  Association  since  1894. 
Membership  then,  ten.  Largest  number,  twenty -nine.  The 
church  up  to  1895,  and  it  may  be,  longer,  sustained  covenant  meet- 
ings and  bore  their  part  in  maintaining  union  Sunday  school. 

West  Bolton 

This  church  was  organized,  February  16,  1843,  with  thirty- 
nine  members,  as  the  Second  Baptist  church  of  Jericho,  and  was 
so-called  till  1862,  when  it  was  changed  to  the  Baptist  church  and 
society  of  West  Bolton,  and  in  1873,  it  became  an  incorporated 
church.  The  first  pastor  was  Elder  I.  Huntley,  who  preached  one- 
half  the  time  till  August,  1845,  and  perhaps  longer;  the  records  do 
not  say.  In  August,  1847,  Elder  S.  Parker  was  pastor.  July, 
1848,  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Hurlbut  became  pastor  and  preached  one-third 
and  one-half  the  time  for  twelve  years.  He  died  in  the  place  where 
he  had  so  long  and  faithfully  served,  February  13,  1887.  In  Nov- 
ember, 1860,  Brother  H.  C.  Leavitt  commenced  preaching  and 


412  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

February,  1861,  he  was  ordained  pastor  and  continued  to  labor 
with  the  church  until  October,  1864. 

In  the  winter  of  1865,  L.  L.  Wood,  a  student  from  Burhng- 
ton  College,  was  hired  to  preach  half  the  time.  He  continued  till 
1866,  and  then  went  to  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  to  study  theology.  In 
March,  Rev.  L.  B.  Steele  was  hired  to  preach  all  the  time.  His 
was  a  prosperous  pastorate  of  about  eight  years.  A  good  number 
were  received  by  baptism.  He  was  assisted,  in  1872,  by  an  evan- 
gelist. Rev.  J.  Peacock.  During  this  pastorate  the  church  edifice 
was  built.  For  four  years  after  Mr.  Steele  went  away  the  church 
was  w^thout  a  pastor.  Sermons  were  read.  Elder  Hurlbut 
preached  when  he  was  able.  He  was  aged  and  nearly  blind,  but 
he  kept  the  church  together,  administering  the  ordinances  and 
preaching  the  Gospel.  January,  1879,  Rev.  A.  A.  Davis  became 
pastor,  preaching  half  the  time  till  April,  1881,  when  Rev.  De  F. 
Safford  became  pastor.  From  June,  1883,  till  January,  1888, 
Brother  P.  C.  Abbey  preached  with  acceptance  as  a  supply.  In 
1889,  had  preaching  but  twice  by  visiting  brethren.  Rev.  Richard 
Nott,  of  Burlington,  was  the  next  suppty,  1890.  They  were  then 
visited  by  Brother  H.  Rider,  who  came  as  a  colporteur  and  held 
meetings  and  visited  from  house  to  house.  He  was  aided  by  Rev. 
A.  McGeorge  and  God  blessed  their  united  labors.  Seven  were 
baptized.  A  Young  People's  Society  of  Christian  Endeavor  was 
organized.  For  several  years  the  church  was  without'  pastoral 
care,  but  improved  their  house  of  worship  and  maintained  church 
life.  They  shared  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Jericho  minister.  Rev. 
O.  N.  Bean,  1900-1902,  and  G.  W.  Campbell,  1904.  Since  then, 
they  have  had  but  such  occasional  supplies  as  the  State  Convention 
can  furnish  in  summer  by  students  and  helpers.  The  church, 
however,  though  pastorless  and  with  a  membership  of  but  fourteen, 
sustains  a  Sunday  school,  and  two  prayer  meetings  and  a  young 
people 's  meeting,  and  attend  the  services  of  the  Methodist  church 
in  towTi. 

St.  Albans 

The  first  regular  service  of  the  Baptist  denomination  held  in 
St.  Albans  took  place  December  17,  1865,  in  the  chapel  of  the  court 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  413 

house,  Rev.  J.  F.  Bigelow  conducting  the  service,  at  the  suggestion 
and  with  the  assistance  of  the  Baptist  State  Convention.  On 
January  17,  1866.  a  Baptist  church  was  organized,  consisting  of 
twenty-five  members,  six  brethren  and  nineteen .  sisters^  An 
Ecclesiastical  council,  held  in  the  court  house,  January  31,  gave  the 
name  of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  St.  Albans  to  the  new  organiza- 
tion. The  first  church  officers  were  Rev.  J.  F.  Bigelow,  D.  D., 
pastor;  M.  D.  Walker  and  Marshall  Mason,  deacons;  L.  J.  Sw^ett, 
clerk;  and  S.  S.  Robinson,  treasurer.  A  Sunday  school  was  at  once 
organized  and  also  a  missionary  concert  and  Thursday  evening 
prayer  meeting.  In  May,  1867,  Dr.  Bigelow  resigned,  having  per- 
formed the  initial  work  of  organizing  a  church.  His  signal  ability, 
fine  scholarship  and  christian  courtesy  gained  for  him  the  regard, 
not  only  of  the  church  and  society,  but  of  all  denominations  of 
christians.  For  about  a  year  and  a  half  the  church  was  dependent 
upon  supplies,  and  held  its  meetings  in  the  court  house,  which  was 
its  meeting  place  for  seven  years.  November,  1868,  W.  G.  Walker, 
a  graduate  of  Hamilton,  commenced  his  pastorate  and  was  ordained 
to  the  christian  ministry,  January,  1869.  He  remained  only  one 
year.  Seventeen  had  then  been  added  by  letter  and  till  June  the 
church  was  again  dependent  on  supplies. 

In  June,  1870,  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith,  under  the  auspices  of  the 
State  Convention,  whose  general  agent  he  had  been  elected,  com- 
menced labor  here  as  pastor,  doing  very  much  in  addition  to  his 
pastoral  duties  in  securing  funds  for  building  a  church  edifice  and 
enlisting  the  interest  of  others  in  the  enterprise.  The  cornerstone 
of  the  new  church  was  laid  September  9,  1871,  and  the  vestry 
finished  and  dedicated  August,  1873,  after  which  pubhc  services 
were  held  there  until  the  whole  work  was  completed. 

In  September,  1873,  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith,  having  seen  the  church 
occupying  the  new  vestry,  w^as  called  elsewhere  by  the  Convention, 
leaving  many  devoted  friends,  who  were  called,  not  long  after,  to 
mourn  his  death.  During  his  pastorate,  seventeen  were  added  by 
baptism  and  twenty -three  by  letter.  Till  about  this  time  the  Con- 
vention had  aided  the  church.  Now^  it  became  self-supporting  and 
helpful  in  benevolent  enterprises.  In  May,  1874,  Rev.  J.  A.  John- 
son commenced  labor  as  pastor.     On  the  twenty-eighth  of  the 


414  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

following  December,  the  whole  church  edifice  was  finished  and 
dedicated  free  of  debt,  through  the  generosity  of  Lansing  Millis, 
Esq.,  prominent  Baptists  in  the  State;  and  townsmen  of  other  de- 
nomination s»  helping  to  provide  one  of  the  pleasantest  church  edi- 
fices in  the  State.  Mr.  Johnson  remained  pastor  until  January, 
1878.  During  the  three  years  and  more  of  this  pastorate,  the 
church  had  received  thirty-six  by  baptism  and  twenty  by  letter, 
reaching  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  eight.  Seven  died 
among  them.  Deacon  D.  M.  Walker,  had  been  identified  with 
the  church  from  the  beginning  and  had  served  as  clerk  nearly 
all  the  time,  till  his  last  illness  compelled  him  to  resign. 

Rev.  Geo.  S.  Pratt  was  next  pastor,  commencing  labor  April, 

1878,  and  continuing  till  March  13,  1887 — a  period  of  aggressive, 
vigorous  work  on  the  part  of  both  pastor  and  people.     In  January, 

1879,  a  series  of  well-sustained  meetings,  continuing  ten  weeks, 
resulted  in  the  accession  of  fifty-one  members;  forty-one  by  bap- 
tism. May  10,  1883,  the  church  edifice  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and 
about  three  years  later,  a  new  church  edifice  had  been  dedicated, 
and  a  parsonage  built  at  a  cost,  in  round  numbers,  of  $3,500. 
From  this  pastorate  Mr.  Pratt  went  over  to  the  Episcopalians. 

Rev.  Geo.  A.  Smith,  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Saratoga, 
was  next  pastor,  February  28,  1887,  to  June,  1889.  Shortly  after 
his  dismission,  his  letter  of  dismission  was  recalled  and  proceedings 
instituted  against  him  for  unchristian  conduct.  On  advice  of  the 
Lamoille  Association  the  church  called  a  council,  the  charges  were 
investigated  and  sustained,  the  hand  of  fellowship  withdrawn,  and 
the  pastor  deposed  from  the  Gospel  ministry.  The  church  rallied 
nobly  to  the  work  after  this  crushing  experience  and  were  lovingly 
led  by  Rev.  L.  S.  Johnson,  from  September,  1889,  till  September, 
1891,  when  ill  health  compelled  the  separation  between  the  church 
and  this  faithful  pastor. 

Rev.  E.  D.  Croft  was  pastor  from  October  8,  1891,  to  October 
13,  1893,  and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  Chas.  McGlauchlin,  whose 
pastorate  was  from  April  5, 1894,  to  April,  1895.  This  half  decade 
was  one  of  serious  trouble.  At  the  close  of  the  first  pastorate,  the 
church  was  divided  and  some  thirty  or  more  of  those  who  had  been 
active  and  influential  in  the  church  work  withdrew  from  the  body. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  415 

Mr.  McGlauchlin  's  habits,  confessedly  irregular,  brought  reproach 
upon  himself  and  the  church  and  caused  his  retirement  from  this 
pastorate.  Rev.  W.  H.  H.  Avery  was  then  invited  to  this  field 
from  Upper  Alton,  111.,  and  began  pastoral  work  in  July.  He 
found  the  church  disheartened  and  well-nigh  ready  to  give  up  all, 
but  the  membership  rallied  about  him,  put  away  differences,  en- 
gaged in  special  meetings,  and  within  a  year  seventeen  members 
had  been  received,  harmony  restored  and  strong  hopes  awakened 
of  a  prosperous  future.  This  pastorate  continued  till  1903.  Sub- 
stantial accessions  were  made  to  the  membership,  notably  in  1899, 
when  twenty -five  were  received  by  baptism  and  six  by  letter.  The 
membership  attained  one  hundred  and  forty-one,  notwithstanding 
the  roll  had  been  carefully  revised  and  numbers  dropped,  and,  more 
serious  than  all,  within  four  years,  more  than  twenty-five  families 
connected  with  the  church  and  congregation  removed  from  town, 
reducing  considerably  the  financial  strength  of  the  church  and  mak- 
ing appeal  to  the  Convention  for  generous  support  a  necessity. 
Since  1904,  the  Convention  has  appropriated  $300  annually  to  sus- 
tain this  important  work.  Rev.  John  Cameron  succeeded  Mr. 
Avery,  serving  till  1905,  when  Rev.  J.  S.  Brown  was  called  from 
Manchester,  Vt.,  and  began  courageously  leading  the  church  in 
aggressive  work.  The  church  has  an  exceedingly  pleasant  place  of 
worship  and  parsonage  property. 

Essex  Junction 

Established  first  as  a  mission.  From  May,  1877,  until  May, 
1880,  Rev.  J.  A.  Leavitt  was  pastor.  In  1878,  began  the  erection 
of  a  meeting-house  and  finished  the  chapel  for  immediate  use  and 
completed  the  house  in  1889.  The  Essex  church  dismissed  twenty- 
four  members  in  1879,  to  form  a  Baptist  church  in  Essex  Junction. 
The  church  was  organized  July  5,  1879,  and  recognized  by  a  coun- 
cil November  4,  1879;  admitted  to  the  Lamoille  Association,  Sep- 
tember 1,  1880.  The  first  report  of  the  church  is  as  follows: 
Baptisms,  ten;  letter,  two;  dismissed,  two;  total,  thirty -four;  resi- 
dent members,  thirty-four;  Sunday  school  officers,  ten;  pupils, 
sixty;  average  attendance,  forty -two. 


416  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Pastors:  Rev.  I.  Coombs,  1880,  to  May,  1882;  W.  Gussman, 
January,  1883,  to  January,  1885;  S.  E.  Miller,  January,  1889,  to 
1897;  D.  D.  Owen,  1899,  to  1902;  W.  F.  Sturdevant,  1903,  to  1904; 
N.  A.  Wood,  1905,  to  1909;  I.  M.  Compton,  1910. 

This  church  has  had  its  trials  and  discouragements,  but  the 
field  is  an  important  one,  and  the  Convention  has  given  liberal  ap- 
propriations and  encouragements  to  it. 

The  following  tragic  incident  is  a  part  of  the  history  of  the 
Lamoille  Association. 

Davidsonism 

In  September,  1829,  a  man  by  the  name  of  Davidson  called 
on  Elkana  Reed,  who  lived  in  the  southeast  part  of  Fairfield. 
Elkana  Reed  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Congregational 
church  in  Bakersfield.  Mr.  Davidson  introduced  himself  as  a 
Congregational  missionary,  and  as  there  was  quite  a  settlement  in 
the  neighborhood,  part  in  Bakersfield  and  part  in  Fairfield,  that 
were  some  distance  from  any  stated  place  of  worship,  Mr.  Reed 
asked  him  to  preach  in  their  neighborhood.  He  readily  consented; 
the  appointment  was  circulated;  the  neighborhood  gathered,  and 
Davidson  preached,  much  to  the  acceptance  of  the  people.  The 
next  evening  he  preached  in  the  same  place  to  a  larger  congregation, 
and  all  were  much  interested.  He  then,  by  invitation,  appointed 
a  meeting  on  Friday  evening  at  a  schoolhouse  in  an  adjoining 
neighborhood,  in  the  south  part  of  Bakersfield.  A  good  congrega- 
tion assembled,  and  all  seemed  highly  pleased  with  the  new 
preacher.  His  sermons  were  a  little  peculiar,  as  he  dwelt  mainly 
on  the  prophecies,  but  they  were  of  a  high  order;  they  exhibited 
great  study  and  research;  they  were  finely  arranged,  and  delivered 
in  a  captivating  manner.  His  language  was  elegant  and  well  cho- 
sen, yet  plain  and  simple;  his  style  was  earnest,  but  not  boisterous; 
in  a  word,  he  was  an  eloquent  preacher.  By  request,  he  appointed 
a  meeting  for  the  Sabbath  at  the  usual  hour,  ten-thirty  o'clock  a.  m., 
at  the  house  of  Timothy  Carroll,  his  house  being  larger  and  more 
convenient  for  a  large  assembly  than  any  other  in  the  section. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  417 

The  day  was  fine  and  at  an  early  hour  a  very  large  congregation 
assembled  to  hear  the  eloquent  stranger.  He  was  seated  near  a 
front  window,  so  that  he  could  be  seen  and  heard  by  those  within 
and  without  the  house.  As  soon  as  ten-thirty  a.  m.  the  audience 
was  all  seated  and  ready  for  the  service  to  commence.  He  was 
sitting,  looking  steadily  dowTiward  toward  the  floor,  seemingly 
unconscious  that  a  large  congregation  had  gathered  to  hear  him 
preach.  After  a  little  time,  someone  told  him  that  the  congrega- 
tion was  seated  and  ready  for  the  services  to  commence,  but  he  paid 
no  attention,  but  still  remained  with  his  eyes  turned  downward;  a 
long  hour  passed  away;  the  congregation  remained  in  profound 
silence;  all  eyes  were  fastened  on  him;  curiosity  and  excitement 
were  raised  to  the  highest  pitch.  By  and  by  he  raised  his  head; 
his  eyes  rolled  in  their  sockets ;  his  features  were  distorted,  and,  in 
a  manner  overwhelmingly  astounding,  he  announced  to  his  hearers 
that  he  was  a  prophet  sent  by  God!  And  then  in  language  the 
most  persuasive,  and  in  tones  the  most  solemn  and  impressive, 
he  urged  his  hearers  not  to  doubt  on  pain  of  eternal  death.  He 
then  presented  a  very  ingenious  and  conclusive  argument,  based  on 
prophecy,  to  show  that  a  prophet  was  to  appear  at  that  time. 
His  array  of  arguments  in  favor  of  that  position  was  perfectly 
astonishing;  he  seemingly  made  it  as  clear  as  the  noon-day  sun. 
Miller  never  presented  an  argument  so  clear  in  favor  of  his  view 
of  scripture  prophecy  as  did  Davidson  in  favor  of  his  position. 

He  then  proceeded  to  open  his  mission.  He  stated,  first, 
that  he  was  sent  to  announce  to  the  world  that  God,  the  Father, 
was  then  on  earth;  that  God,  the  Son,  who  was  equal  with  the 
Father,  came  in  person  to  introduce  the  last  Gospel  dispensation, 
and  that  the  Father  had  come  in  person  to  close  the  dispensation 
and  with  it  wind  up  the  affairs  of  earth.  He  stated  that  the  world 
would  end  in  1832,  and  his  arguments  in  favor  of  1832  were  stronger 
and  more  conclusive  than  any  that  have  been  presented  in  favor  of 
1843.  The  effect  of  these  astonishing  announcements  upon  the 
audience,  under  the  circumstances,  cannot  be  described.  Some 
believed;  some  ridiculed  and  at  once  called  him  an  impostor;  but  a 
large  portion  seemed  to  be  struck  with  awe,  and  were  disposed  to 
suspend  their  judgment  for  the  time  being.     He  continued  his 


418  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

meetings  in  that  neighborhood  each  evening  for  some  four  weeks; 
much  excitement  was  created,  and  many  professed  to  embrace  his 
views.  In  his  sermons  he  labored  especially  to  reveal  the  dark 
things  in  prophecy.  His  discourses  were  able,  impressive,  and 
thrillingly  interesting;  some  of  his  views  were  rational  and  scrip- 
tural; others  were  absurd  and  ridiculous. 

Among  other  things,  he  taught  that  Christ  was  a  woman,  and 
that  she  would  appear  on  earth  with  the  Fathet.  Not  long  after 
this  announcement,  a  Mrs.  Thompson,  a  lady  some  fifty  years  old, 
who  had  never  previously  made  a  profession  of  religion,  but  had 
embraced  his  vi^ws,  and  become  wild  with  excitement,  announced 
that  she  was  the  Christ.  At  first  Davidson  seemed  to  hesitate  a 
little,  but  soon  declared  that  she  was  Christ.  Other  people  called 
her  crazy;  her  husband  confined  her;  the  neighbors  watched  her  as 
a  crazy  person.  These  meetings  were  holden  mainly  in  Fairfield, 
and  a  large  number  gathered  from  Bakersfield,  Fairfax,  Franklin, 
Georgia,  Milton,  and  some  from  the  other  side  of  the  lake.  Some 
were  Baptists,  some  were  Congregationalists  and  some  were  Metho- 
dists, but  a  large  jiortion  were  persons  who  had  never  been  members 
of  any  church. 

The  meetings  were  continued  night  and  day  and  assumed  a 
most  ridiculous  character.  Toward  spring,  Mrs.  Thompson  es- 
caped from  her  confinement  and  joined  them.  She  was  worshipped 
as  Christ  and  all  her  commands  were  strictly  obeyed.  A  Mr.  John 
Steward,  an  Englishman  by  birth,  and  a  joiner  by  trade,  a  very 
pious  Methodist  man,  embraced  Mr.  Davidson's  views.  He  had 
no  family  and  for  some  time  had  made  his  home  with  Mr.  Timothy 
Carroll,  in  Bakersfield.  While  Mrs.  Thompson  was  in  Fairfield, 
Mr.  Steward,  by  request  or  otherwise,  called  to  see  Mrs.  Thompson, 
whom  he  believed  to  be  the  very  Christ.  She  had  some  private 
conversation  with  him;  what  she  said  to  him  we  know  not.  On 
coming  out  of  the  room  he  looked  pale  and  terrified.  He  walked 
rapidly  some  four  miles  to  Mr.  Carroll's  and  without  speaking  to 
the  family,  went  directly  to  his  chest  of  tools,  took  a  cord,  went  a 
little  way  into  the  woods,  a  little  way  back  of  the  house,  fastened 
the  rope  around  his  neck  and  then  around  a  tree,  swung  off,  and 
soon  he  was  in  the  eternal  world. 


Dami)  G.  Crane 
A  membt-r  i)f  the  Hiirlington  Baptist  Church  over  fifty  years 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  419 

In  the  autumn  following,  a  Mr.  Craw  in  Fairfield,  who  had 
embraced  the  views  of  Davidson,  had  become  entangled  in  the 
snare,  sharpened  his  knife  and  deliberately  cut  his  own  throat. 

A  short  time  after  this,  a  Mr.  Randall,  in  Franklin,  who  had 
become  affected  with  this  same  doctrine,  came  to  believe  that  he 
must  offer  his  children  in  sacrifice;  he,  therefore,  took  his  butcher 
knif  and  deliberately  cut  their  throats.  At  this,  some  of  the  in- 
habitants of  Fairfield  became  so  indignant  that  they  resolved  to 
put  an  end  to  this  work,  and  one  night  this  Davidson  mysteriously 
disappeared.  What  became  of  him  I  know  not.  Report  says 
that  he  was  placed  astride  a  little  French  horse,  and  having  been 
well  covered  with  tar  and  feathers,  was  driven  beyond  the  line  of 
the  State.  Where  he  came  from,  what  had  been  his  former  occupa- 
tion, or  what  was  his  true  name,  or  what  was  his  end,  we  know  not. 
He  mysteriously  came  among  us,  ran  a  short  race,  accomplished 
a  vast  amount  of  injury,  and  disappeared.  There  being  no  Bap- 
tists in  Bakersfield,  and  but  few  in  that  part  of  Fairfield,  we  suf- 
fered less  in  this  raid  than  some  others;  but  yet,  our  churches  suf- 
fered to  some  extent. 

Historical  Sketch  of  the  French  Baptist  Church  of 
Montgomery,  Vermont 

In  the  years  1840  and  1841,  several  French  Canadian  Catholics 
were  led  to  embrace  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  in  some  Methodist 
meetings  held  at  the  village  of  W' est  Enosburg,  Vt.  Among  them 
a  laboring  man,  Mr.  J.  Morin,  a  mechanic,  unable  to  read  even  in 
his  own  language,  worked  very  earnestly  to  spread  the  truth 
among  his  countrymen.  His  efforts  developed  in  him  natural 
talents  for  the  work  of  evangelization.  After  a  few  years,  forty 
of  these  converts,  who  had  united  with  the  American  Baptist 
church  of  Enosburg,  severed  their  relations  to  it  in  order  to  form 
the  French  Baptist  church  of  Enosburg,  of  which  Mr.  Morin,  who 
had  made  a  short  stay  at  the  Institution  of  Grande  Ligne,  became 
the  pastor.  Prayer  meetings,  from  house  to  house,  multiplied. 
Most  of  the  Canadian  families  of  the  locality  were  won  to  the 
truth,  and  the  good  work  soon  spread  in  the  neighboring  towns 


420  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

of  Berkshire,  Richford  and  Montgomery,  where  the  French  popula- 
tion was  on  the  increase  from  year  to  year. 

In  the  meantime,  while  the  Lord  was  using  J.  Morin  as  an  in- 
strument of  His  grace  among  the  French  Canadians  scattered 
among  the  Green  Mountains,  he  was  preparing  in  distant  vil- 
lages of  Canada,  new  souls,  who  were  soon  to  come  and  share  in 
this  glorious  gift  of  Gospel  light.  In  the  village  of  St.  Aime, 
(twelve  miles  from  Sorel),  an  aged  man  named  Dominique,  a  native 
of  France,  lived  peaceably  in  the  midst  of  his  numerous  family, 
which  was  nominally  Catholic,  while  he  himself,  connected  with 
no  religious  denomination,  spent  his  leisure  hours  in  reading  an  old 
Bible  which  he  had  brought  from  his  native  country.  The  priest, 
who  watched  with  close  attention  this  family,  whose  devotion  to 
the  church  was  somewhat  doubtful,  had  often  attempted  to  take 
possession  of  the  precious  volume,  the  old  man's  treasure,  with 
which  indeed  some  of  his  sons,  in  order  to  escape  the  suspicion 
of  heresy,  would  have  consented  to  part.  Three  of  these  came  to 
settle  with  their  families  in  the  vicinity  of  Enosburg.  One  of 
them,  Felix,  having  obtained  a  Bible  from  Mr.  Morin,  read  it  with 
much  interest,  so  much  was  he  under  the  impression  that  the 
Protestant  Bibles  were  falsified.  In  this  anxiety  he  returned  to 
St.  Aime,  and  desired  the  opinion  of  his  father  with  regard  to  the 
book.  After  a  careful  examination,  his  father  said  to  him,  "This 
book,  my  son,  is  the  living  word  of  God;  read  it  without  fear." 
Not  long  after  the  father  died  and  the  priest  ordered  that  the  book, 
which  had  kept  him  aloof  from  his  church,  be  burned,  an  order 
which  the  children  at  first  refused  to  obey.  However,  one  of  the 
sons,  the  o'VMier  of  the  old  homestead,  having  delivered  the  book 
into  the  hands  of  the  priest,  he  quickly  cast  it  into  the  fire,  thrusting 
it  with  the  poker  before  the  horrified  eyes  of  the  family.  After 
his  return  to  Vermont,  the  Bible  became  indeed  for  Felix  and  his 
family,  "the  living  word  of  God. "  His  zeal  and  christian  fidelity 
conduced  greatly  to  the  edification  of  the  Enosburg  church  until 
his  death.  Afterwards,  the  church  in  Montgomery  numbered 
among  its  members  several  of  his  children  and  relatives,  and  the 
author  of  this  sketch  considers  it  one  of  the  most  interesting 
incidents  of  his  missionary  life  that  he  received  these  details  from 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  421 

the  lips  of  his  pious  A\ife,  when  on  her  death  bed  she  praised  and 
glorified  the  Lord  that  He  had  delivered  her  husband  with  his  kin- 
dred from  the  power  of  darkness  and  translated  them  into  the  king- 
dom of  His  dear  Son.    (Col.  1 :  13.) 

This  progress  of  the  Gospel  among  the  French  of  Vermont 
awakened  the  lively  interest  of  the  American  churches.  Mr. 
Morin  and  his  colporteurs  were  liberally  supported.  A  society 
was  even  organized  at  Burlington  with  the  special  object  of  aiding 
this  work.  This  sympathy,  thus  expressed,  created  great  anticipa- 
tion that  might  have  been  fully  realized  had  not  self-seeking  human 
nature  been  allowed  to  use  these  smiles  of  divine  grace  and  the 
gifts  of  christian  munificence  for  its  own  glorification,  an  act  which 
is  always  the  sure  presage  of  humiliating  defeats. 

The  French  population,  disseminated  in  the  forests  which  at 
that  time  completely  covered  the  hills  south  of  Montgomery, 
formed  an  important  part  of  the  West  Enosburg  church.  The 
Gospel  was  readily  and  joyously  received  by  those  people,  who  were 
laboriously  engaged  in  establishing  for  themselves  homes  in  those 
wild  places  where  the  soil  was  comparatively  chea]). 

On  the  tenth  of  November,  1851,  forty -eight  of  these  people, 
most  of  them  members  of  the  West  Enosburg  church,  organized  a 
French  Baptist  church,  of  which  Mr.  Antoine  Boisvert,  a  French 
colporteur  of  the  same  locality,  became  the  pastor.  Rev.  J.  Morin 
presided  at  the  council  convened  for  that  purpose  in  the  Metho- 
dist chapel  at  Montgomery.  On  this  occasion  some  of  the  French 
Protestants,  w^hose  homes  were  situated  o*n  the  Richford  mountain, 
but  who  had  attended  this  Convention  for  the  purpose,  also  organ- 
ized themselves  into  a  Baptist  church.  Soon  after,  the  church 
of  Enosburg  was  obliged  to  sever  its  connection  with  its  pastor, 
who  had  brought  reproach  upon  himself  and  upon  the  church  by  the 
use  of  intoxicating  drinks,  while  Rev.  A.  Boisvert,  receiving  little 
encouragement,  retired  from  the  work  at  Montgomery.  Thus, 
in  a  short  time,  this  missionary  enterprise,  deprived  of  its  leaders, 
presented  the  sad  spectacle  of  a  ship  abandoned  in  mid-ocean.  In 
these  circumstances  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission  directed  some  of  her 
laborers,  particularly  Rev.  J.  N.  Williams  and  T.  Riendeau,  to 
visit  the  field  as  often  as  possible.     They  did  so  until  the  year  1858, 


422  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

when  a  missionary  from  PVance,  Rev.  J.  Sestourneau,  who  had 
come  to  Canada  under  the  auspices  of  the  Grand  Ligne  Mission, 
impressed  by  the  urgent  need  of  Vermont,  came  to  settle  at  West 
Enosburg  with  his  family.  He  was  ordained  the  year  following,  by  a 
council  of  Baptist  pastors,  and  immediately  addressed  himself  with 
great  energy  to  the  work  of  re-establishing  the  churches  and  re- 
pairing the  injuries  which  they  had  received.  At  first  he  was  but 
scantily  supported,  receiving  but  a  small  appropriation  from  the 
Vermont  State  Convention.  He,  however,  labored  none  the  less 
with  an  energy  and  devotion  which  will  not  soon  be  forgotten. 
The  work  received  a  new  impetus.  The  churches  setting  aside 
their  local  preferences,  united  under  the  name  of  The  Church  of 
Montgomery  and  West  Enosburg.  The  little  church  of  Richford 
was  also  revived.  A  general  revival  took  place.  A  large  number 
of  converts  were  gathered  in  who  confessed  their  faith  by  baptism 
and  greatly  rejoiced  the  heart  of  the  missionary  and  the  churches. 
In  the  meantime  a  meeting-house  was  built  at  Montgomery,  the 
seating  capacity  of  which  often  proved  inadequate  for  the  increas- 
ing congregation. 

At  the  request  of  the  church,  the  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne 
Mission,  in  1860,  decided  to  assume  the  support  of  Brother  Ses- 
tourneau, and  to  consider  his  field  as  one  of  their  missionary  sta- 
tions. A  colporteur  was  engaged  to  help  him  in  the  person  of  Mr. 
E.  Villeneuve.  Swanton  and  Highgate  were  visited  by  the  mis- 
sionaries. In  this  last  place  the  Gospel  was  well  received  by  sev- 
eral French  families,  and  a  few  persons  having  given  evidence  of  a 
change  of  heart  were  baptized.  This,  however,  drew  the  opposi- 
tion of  some  Catholic  priests,  three  of  whom  came  to  visit  their 
former  adherents  at  Montgomery,  where  they  challenged  the 
Protestant  missionary  to  a  public  discussion,  in  the  hope  of  bring- 
ing back  into  the  pale  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  some  of  those 
whom  they  considered  as  lost  sheep.  But  this  attempt  resulted 
in  their  discomfiture.  A  poor  Catholic  man  having  asked  them 
where  he  must  go  to  find  the  truth,  he  was  told  that  the  truth  was 
at  Rome.  "In  that  case,"  said  he,  "I  must  make  up  my  mind 
to  go  without  the  truth,  for  I  am  too  poor  to  go  so  far  to  get  it. " 

During  the  war  of  the  secession,  a  comparatively  large  num- 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  423 

ber  of  French  Canadians  entered  the  army  of  the  United  States. 
This  national  calamity  was  the  cause  of  many  painful  separations, 
and  of  the  making  of  many  orphans  and  widows  among  the  French 
families  under  the  pastoral  care  of  Brother  Sestourneau.  His 
visits  became  more  urgently  needed  and  much  more  frequent.  In 
leaving  their  families  these  soldiers  commended  them  to  the  watch- 
ful care  of  their  devoted  pastor,  and  when  they  were  away  a  large 
part  of  their  correspondence  devolved  on  him.  These  additional 
cares  and  labors  made  the  draught  upon  his  system  too  great. 
Before  the  end  of  the  first  year  of  the  war.  Brother  Sestourneau 's 
health  was  seriously  impaired,  symptoms  of  a  nervous  disease 
developing  with  an  alarming  rapidity.  Family  circumstances 
having  induced  him  to  settle  at  Richford,  his  visits  became  still 
more  difficult.  The  field  of  Montgomery  was  the  first  to  suffer. 
In  a  visit  to  Canada,  Mr.  Sestourneau  met  with  a  young  brother, 
who  had  just  left  the  Institute  of  Grande  Ligne,  and  who  some 
time  before  had  entertained  a  conviction  of  duty  to  de^'ote  his  life 
to  the  missionary  cause,  but  who  was  at  this  time  in  a  state  of 
serious  doubt  and  uncertainty  with  regard  to  the  foundation  of 
these  convictions.  Accepting,  however,  an  invitation  extended  to 
him  by  Mr.  Sestourneau  to  accompany  him  to  his  field  of  labor, 
he  was  thus  initiated  into  the  work,  accompanying  him  in  his 
missionary  visits  and  participating  in  the  conduct  of  public  meet- 
ings. His  vocation  soon  became  manifest.  Hearing  of  this. 
Madam  Feller,  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission,  was  greatly  rejoiced, 
and  she  requested  the  board  of  that  mission  to  appoint  him  as  as- 
sistant missionary,  stationing  him  at  West  Enosburg,  where  he  re- 
mained about  a  year.  Thus,  the  Lord  was  preparing  for  his  work 
a  new  missionary  in  the  person  of  our  brother,  Rev.  A.  S.  Therrien, 
whom  the  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission  now  justly  claims 
as  one  of  its  laborers  and  has  called  him  to  the  important  station 
of  Montreal.  Brother  Sestourneau 's  health  growing  worse  and 
worse,  he  was  obliged  to  resign  the  pastorate  of  the  Montgomery 
church,  but  retaining  that  of  the  Richford  church,  which  soon  lost 
two-thirds  of  its  members,  who  immigrated  to  Minnesota.  In  the 
same  year,  at  the  request  of  the  church  and  on  the  recommenda- 
tion of  Mr.  Sestourneau,  the  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission 


424  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

appointed  Rev.  J.  D.  Rossier,  a  native  of  Switzerland,  to  the  post 
of  Montgomery.  He  found  the  congregation  greatly  stirred 
through  the  ardent  and  somewhat  eccentric  zeal  of  a  Methodist 
brother.  From  its  origin,  the  church  had  shown  a  predilection 
for  that  demonstrative  style  of  praying  and  exhorting  which  some- 
times characterize  religious  revivals  among  country  people.  In 
meetings  protracted  to  a  very  late  hour,  the  emotions  of  the  heart 
culminate  in  an  enthusiasm  and  ecstatic  demonstration.  This 
dangerous  element,  which  lead  many  to  depreciate  quiet  meetings, 
and  to  place  a  higher  estimate  upon  loud  and  demonstrative  speak- 
ing than  upon  plain  and  earnest  preaching  of  the  Gosppl,  and  which 
fosters  the  notion  that  clamours  and  groanings  are  the  necessary 
accompaniments  of  true  worship,  can  easily  be  developed  among 
the  French  who  have  received  the  first  glimpses  of  Gospel  light.  A 
too  free  reception  given  to  new  doctrines  and  an  undiscriminating 
admiration  for  those  who  can  speak  well,  is  another  danger  which 
has  often  threatened  the  peace  of  the  church.  In  these  circum- 
stances the  new  pastor  saw  that  his  work  called  him  to  plant  his 
home  among  his  j)eople  upon  the  hill  of  Montgomery,  which 
through  years  of  hard  la])or,  had  become  more  habitable.  Being 
aware  of  the  church 's  lack  of  a  solid  foundation  of  religious  knowl- 
edge upon  which  to  rest  its  faith,  he  thought  it  of  primary  import- 
ance to  instruct  them,  and  to  apply  himself  to  the  teaching  of  sound 
doctrine,  in  order  to  place  his  flock  in  better  condition  to  resist  the 
dangers  mentioned  above.  It  was  not  long  after  this  that  some 
Seventh  Day  Adventists,  who  had  succeeded  in  founding  in  a 
neighboring  town,  a  church  which  was  under  the  direction  of  two 
French  brothers,  formerly  connected  with  the  Enosburg  church, 
attempted  to  spread  their  views  among  the  flock.  But  receiving 
no  encouragement  they  abandoned  their  undertaking.  iVfter- 
ward.  some  Catholic  priests  came,  preaching  in  private  houses, 
visiting  among  the  people,  sprinkling  children  born  of  mixed  mar- 
riages, and  artfully  assuring  the  people  that  they  could  be  received 
into  the  communion  of  the  Roman  Catholic  church  without  being 
constrained  to  obey  all  its  regulations,  and  that  they  could  even 
be  excused  from  accepting  certain  doctrines  too  repulsive  to  be 
accepted  by  those  who  have  tasted  of  God's  pure  Gospel.     The 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  425 

pastor  was  again  challenged  to  a  public  discussion  which,  however, 
was  conducted  more  prudently  than  the  one  above  alluded  to. 
The  priests  agreed  to  establish  their  thesis  by  the  Scripture,  which 
they  recognized  as  the  basis  of  christian  faith;  but,  forced  to  ex- 
press themselves  upon  certain  doctrines  of  their  church  directly 
contradicted  by  Scripture,  they  declared  that  the  Church  of  Rome 
is  endowed  with  divine  authority  to  establish  or  condemn.  No 
unfortunate  results  ensued  from  this  discussion;  the  church  re- 
mained firm  and  united.  The  meetings  were  well  attended  and 
several  members  were  added  to  the  church. 

The  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission,  having  become  con- 
siderably embarrassed  in  its  finances,  the  church  was  obliged  to 
look  elsewhere  for  help.  An  application  was  made  to  the  American 
Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  which  agreed  to  pay  two-thirds 
of  their  pastor 's  salary,  the  church  paying  the  other  third. 

In  the  year  1874,  the  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission 
called  the  pastor  to  take  the  direction  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Institu- 
tion, hoping  to  find  a  suitable  man  to  succeed  him  at  Montgomery. 
During  two  years  the  church  remained  without  a  pastor,  depending 
upon  the  occasional  services  of  colporteurs  and  neighboring  pastors 
and  the  monthly  visits  of  its  late  pastor. 

After  two  years,  and  as  a  consequence  of  too  many  cares  and 
excessive  labors  in  the  supervision  of  the  house-management  at 
Grande  Ligne,  Mrs.  Rossier's  health  failed  and  this  induced  her 
husband  to  accept  a  second  call  extended  to  him  by  the  church  in 
Montgomery.  Shortly  after  his  return  his  heart  was  greatly 
cheered  by  the  conversion  of  a  few  persons  who  had  recently  aban- 
doned Romanism.  One  of  these,  Mrs.  D.  Vierge,  deserves  a 
special  mention.  Being  a  widow  and  an  invahd,  she  had  been, 
until  the  age  of  seventy-five,  a  sincere  adherent  of  the  Roman 
Catholic  church,  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  her  children  had  aban- 
doned that  church  long  ago.  But  at  last,  through  the  labors  of 
the  French  Canadian  colporteur  she  was  led  to  see  and  embrace 
the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  She  soon  desired  to  follow  her  Saviour 
in  baptism  and  prayed  earnestly  that  the  Lord  might  send  a  pastor 
to  administer  the  ordinance  to  her.  Being  unable  to  walk,  some 
of  her  friends  carried  her  in  their  arms  through  the  woods  to  a 


426  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

favorable  place  where  she  was  baptized  in  the  presence  of  a  large 
assembly,  largely  composed  of  Catholics,  who  admired  her  courage 
and  her  sincerity,  which  could  not  be  questioned.  "What  a 
blessing,"  exclaimed  the  daughter!  "We  left  Canada  with  the 
thought  that  we  were  coming  to  a  country  where  there  was  no 
religion,  and  behold  we  found  in  it  the  light  and  truth. " 

Not  long  after  the  pastor's  return  to  his  former  field  of  labor, 
the  board  of  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission  having  decided,  on  account 
of  its  financial  embarrassments,  to  abandon  its  station  in  Vermont, 
the  church  was  left  to  its  own  resources  and  the  pastor  found  him- 
self in  a  critical  position.  Owing  to  the  inabihty  of  the  Vermont 
State  Convention,  and  of  the  other  missionary  societies,  to  extend 
any  help  for  the  continuation  of  his  work,  and  in  the  circumstances 
desiring  to  leave  the  church  entirely  free  to  act  for  itself,  the  pastor 
resigned,  in  1874,  his  pastoral  charge,  while  continuing  to  serve 
the  church  as  supply  according  to  the  measure  of  strength  the  Lord 
gave  him,  he  being  obliged  to  work  with  his  hands  for  the  support 
of  his  family.  In  1879,  the  church  of  Montgomery  numbered 
sixty-one  members,  who  had  regular  services  every  Sunday  in  two 
different  localities.  The  field  of  the  missionary  embraced  seventy 
families  of  French  Canadians,  nominally  Protestants,  and  a  certain 
number  of  others  which,  though  Catholic,  were  disposed  to  listen 
to  the  reading  and  exposition  of  God 's  Word. 

Translated  from  the  French  by  Rev.  A.  L.  Therrien,  2  Thistle 
Terrace,  Montreal. 


Brandon  Baptist  Church 

The  Convention  was  organized  in  Brandon,  1824 


Chapter  XXII 

THE  VERMONT  BAPTIST  STATE  CONVENTION 

Origin  and  Early  Years 

Convinced  of  the  need  of  closer  co-operation  in  evangelistic 
and  missionary  operations,  the  Fairfield,  Vermont,  and  Woodstock 
Associations,  each  appointed  delegates  to  confer  with  the  delegates 
from  other  Associations,  and  with  brethren  from  different  parts  of 
the  State,  on  the  expediency  of  forming  a  General  Convention  of 
the  Baptists  of  Vermont. 

Thus  authorized,  a  number  of  brethren  met  in  conference  in 
the  court  house,  in  Montpelier  village,  on  Wednesday,  October 
14,  1825.  In  addition  to  the  brethren  appointed  by  the  Associa- 
tions mentioned,  there  were  present  brethren  from  the  churches 
in  the  Barre,  Danville  and  Leyden  Associations. 

Ministers  present  were  from  Waterbury,  Ezra  Butler;  Chester, 
Aaron  Leland;  Dummerston,  Jonathan  Huntley;  Sharon,  Joseph 
Parker;  Brandon,  Isaac  Sa^\'yer;  Whiting,  Joseph  W^  Sawyer; 
Montpelier,  C.  C.  P.  Crosby;  Coventry,  John  Ide. 

Lay  brethren,  from  Fairfield,  Joseph  D.  Farnsworth;  Swanton, 
Joseph  Berry;  Vernon,  Samuel  Sikes. 

Brethren,  after  deliberating  upon  the  question  committed 
to  them,  agreed  that  the  interests  of  religion  required  that  a  Con- 
vention be  formed.  This  decision  was  not  reached  till  the  whole 
question  had  been  thoroughly  debated.  One  of  the  delegates,  at 
least,  was  there  as  a  vigorous  opposer  of  the  enterprise;  that  was 
Aaron  Leland.  "With  the  most  determined  energy  he  fought  the 
proposed  formation  of  a  State  Convention,  believing  or  fearing  that 
it  would  jeopardize  the  independence  of  the  churches.  After  the 
vote  was  taken,  resulting  in  a  strong  majority  against  him,  he  arose 
and  said  in  a  good  natured  way  all  his  own,  'And  now,  my  brethren, 
I  suppose  you  think  you  have  got  rid  of  the  troublesome  old  man; 


428  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

but  if  SO  you  are  much  mistaken.  I  can  never  be  separated  from 
my  brethren,  and  if  you  are  determined  to  launch  this  ship,  I  shall 
jump  aboard  and  ride;  and  I  warn  you  now,  that  if  you  do  attempt 
to  interfere  with  the  independence  of  the  churches,  you  will  hear 
my  voice  in  protest.'  "     (Convention  Minutes,  1875.) 

The  main  question  having  been  thus  settled,  Brethren  Joseph 
W.  Sawyer,  and  C.  C.  P.  Crosby  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
draft  a  constitution,  rules  of  decorum,  and  a  circular  or  call  to  the 
churches  and  associations.  x\t  a  subsequent  meeting,  this  com- 
mittee made  their  report,  which  was  unanimously  adopted.  The 
names  of  all  present  were  appended  to  the  circular,  and  a  number 
of  copies  of  the  constitution  and  circular  were  printed  and  distri- 
buted through  the  State.  The  time  mentioned  in  the  circular  for 
the  meeting  of  the  delegates  was  the  fourth  Wednesday  in  October, 
1824.     The  place  fixed  upon  was  Brandon. 

Agreeable  to  this  appointment  a  Convention  was  held  in 
Brandon,  October  26,  1824.  The  following  brethren  were  present, 
Vermont  Association,  Rev.  Abel  Woods,  of  Hubbardton;  Rev. 
Isaac  Sawyer,  Rev.  Samuel  C.  Dillaway,  of  Granville,  N.  Y.;  Rev. 
Jonathan  Merriam,  Jr.,  of  Bridport;  Deacon  Oliver  Sanford,  of 
Poultney.  Fairfield  Association,  Rev.  Peter  Chase,  of  Hines- 
burg;  Rev.  Alvah  Sabin,  of  Georgia;  Austin  Beecher,  of  Hines- 
burg;  Edmond  Chamberlain.  Woodstock  Association,  Rev. 
Daniel  Packer,  of  Mount  Holly.  Manchester  Association,  Rev. 
John  R.  Dodge,  of  Manchester.  Mission  Society,  Vermont 
Association,  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church,  of  Poultney. 

The  Convention  was  organized  by  choosing  Rev.  Isaac  Sawyer, 
moderator,  and  Rev.  John  R.  Dodge,  clerk.  The  circular  was 
read,  and  the  probable  advantages  of  the  Convention  discussed. 

1.  The  Convention  voted  to  adopt  the  substance  of  the 
constitution  (adopted  by  the  meeting  the  preceding  year). 

2.  Appointed  Rev.  J.  R.  Dodge,  and  S.  C.  Dillaway,  a  com- 
mittee to  prepare  a  set  of  by-laws  for  the  Convention. 

3.  Appointed  the  follo\^^ng  persons,  officers  for  the  ensuing 
3'ear:  Rev.  Ezra  Butler,  president;  Rev.  Aaron  Leland,  first  vice- 
president;  Rev.  Roswell  Mears  (of  Georgia),  second  vice-presi- 
dent; Rev.   Joseph    W.   Sawyer,   corresponding    secretary;  Rev. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  429 

John  R.  Dodge,  recording  secretary;  Deacon  Abner  Forbes  (of 
Windsor),  treasurer;  Rev.  Linus  Austin  (of  Whitingham) ,  Rev. 
Abel  Woods,  Rev.  Timothy  Spaulding,  Rev.  John  Ide,  Rev.  Alvah 
Sabin,  Rev.  Daniel  Packer,  John  Conant,  Esq.,  (of  Brandon), 
Deacon  Peter  Dean  (of  Manchester,  afterwards  of  Grafton); 
Deacon  Daniel  Mason  (of  Rockingham);  Hon.  Joseph  D.  Farns- 
worth,  board  of  trustees. 

4.  Voted  that  the  next  meeting  of  the  Convention  be  held  at 
the  Baptist  meeting-house.  East  Bethel,  on  the  third  Wednesday 
of  October,  1825. 

Every  association  was  represented  except  Shaftsbury,  which 
then  had  only  four  churches  in  the  State.  The  Shaftsburv'  Associa- 
tion, however,  in  1826,  voted  to  unite  with  the  rest  in  the  Con- 
vention. 

It  is  noteworthy  how  many  able  leaders  there  were,  so  early, 
among  the  Baptists  in  Vermont.  Aaron  Leland  was  then  lieuten- 
ant governor  of  the  State:  Ezra  Butler  had  been  in  Congress 
(1813-1815),  and  was  .soon  to  be  governor  of  Vermont  (1826-1828), 
before  Leland  laid  down  his  office, — two  Baptist  ministers,  at  the 
head  of  the  commonwealth !  Alvah  Sabin  was  sent  to  Congress 
during  the  anti-slavery  struggle  in  1853.  Deacon  Conant,  Judge 
Farnsworth,  General  Forbes  were  among  the  most  influential  men 
on  either  side  of  the  Green  Mountains.  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church, 
D.  D.,  died  at  Tarrytown,  N.  Y.,  June  5,  1886,  full  of  years  and 
honor,  the  last  of  the  founders  of  the  Convention.  He  was  or- 
dained in  Poultney,  in  June,  1825,  but  he  left  the  State  in  1828. 
The  foresight  and  energy  of  these  brethren  and  others  of  equal 
wisdom,  if  not  equal  in  prominence,  led  to  a  remarkable  series  of 
denominational  enterprises  during  the  next  fifteen  years,  and 
under  the  divine  favor,  to  an  advance  of  our  numbers  from  6,600 
to  11,000.  The  outflowing  westward  tide  of  emigration  was  only 
then  beginning. 

The  Vermont  Baptist  Convention  was  formed  in  the  same 
year  as  that  of  Rhode  Island,  and  was  preceded  in  age  only  by 
Massachusetts  (1802);  New  York  (1807);  South  Carolina  (1820); 
Georgia  (1822),  Alabama,  Connecticut,  Virginia  (each  1823). 

Twenty  agents  were  appointed  at  Brandon  to  collect  funds  and 
to  form  auxiliary  societies :  The  treasurer  and  Deacon  Conant  were 


430  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

designated  to  receive  money  or  goods,  and  disburse  the  same 
under  the  direction  of  the  Board.  Rev.  Abel  Woods  was  also 
appointed  to  be  a  traveling  agent  for  six  months.  But  funds 
were  not  secured,  and  the  ensuing  February,  at  Royalton,  the 
Board  resolved  to  retain  but  one  collecting  agent,  Rev.  John  R. 
Dodge,  with  a  salary  of  six  dollars  per  week,  to  be  paid  in  money 
or  goods  in  proportion  to  each  collected.  This  arrangement  stood 
till  1826,  and  then  it  was  voted  that  "the  compensation  of  the 
missionaries  and  agents  be  'the  same,'  payable  half  in  goods 
and  half  in  money. " 

Circular  Ordered  by  the  Vermont  Baptist  State 
Convention  in  1824 

The  Board  of  the  Baptist  Convention  of  the  State  of  Vermont 
and  vicinity,  to  the  churches  composing  the  same,  and  to  the 
friends  of  the  cause  of  benevolence,  send  christian  greetings. 

The  work  of  evangelizing  the  world  is  now  successfully  com- 
menced by  the  friends  of  Christ— and  in  this  labor  of  love  we,  as 
a  denomination,  are  attempting  to  bear  some  humble  part.  There 
are  already,  in  the  various  fields  occupied,  twenty-eight  com- 
petent missionaries — sixteen  males  and  twelve  females.  Nine 
males  are  ordained  preachers.  These  missionaries  have,  under 
their  immediate  instruction,  about  two  hundred  scholars.  They 
have  also  established  four  churches  among  the  heathen.  In  addi- 
tion to  this,  we  have  a  number  of  institutions,  literary  and  theologi- 
cal, which  make  a  demand  on  our  charities,  and  ought  not  to 
languish  through  our  neglect.  Also,  the  condition  of  our  own 
State,  (in  which  there  are  at  least  one  hundred  churches  of  our  own 
denomination,  and  of  ministers  not  more  than  two-thirds  that 
number),  demands  the  sympathies,  the  prayers  and  the  benevolent 
efforts  of  all  who  cordially  desire  the  advancement  of  the  Redeem- 
er's cause. 

These  considerations,  together  with  that  of  a  world  lying  in 
sin  and  wickedness,  and  perishing  without  the  knowledge  of  sal- 
vation, have  impelled  the  Board  to  call  upon  you  in  this  manner, 
in  the  hope  of  exciting  you  to  greater  exertiors. 

Our  missionaries  require  immediate  assistance  in  order  to 
continue  their  operations.     The  resources  of  our  brethren,  which 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  431 

were  called  into  action  for  about  three  years  from  the  formation  of 
the  General  Convention,  manifested  that  they  were  both  able 
and  willing  to  do  much  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel.  If,  then, 
for  any  reason,  we  have  become  inactive  and  indifferent,  let  us 
not  remain  so.  It  is  time  to  awake  and  put  forth  our  energies  in 
the  best  of  causes. 

Does  not  He,  who  gave  His  life  for  us,  require  it  at  our  hands? 
Consider  how  large  a  portion  of  the  church  in  America  is  made 
up  of  our  brethren;  and  shall  we  withhold  our  portion  from  the 
treasury  of  the  Lord?  Let  each  one  now  act  with  eternity  in  view. 
And  let  it  not  be  found,  in  the  Great  Day  of  accounts,  that  for  the 
sake  of  leaving  a  trifle  more  to  his  heirs,  he  has  withheld  from 
immortal  souls  the  Gospel  of  salvation. 

As  united  and  concentrated  action  is  most  powerful  and  suc- 
cessful, to  this  we  now  invite  you.  We  confidently  hope  that 
ministers,  deacons  and  private  brethren  will  take  an  active  part 
in  this  good  work,  and  exert  themselves  in  forming  in  their  respec- 
tive neighborhoods,  societies  auxiliary  to  the  State  Convention. 
That  all  monies  and  other  property  may  be  at  the  disposal  of  the 
united  wisdom  of  the  whole;  unless  when  a  special  object  is  named 
by  the  donors;  in  which  case,  it  will  be  faithfully  applied  to  that 
object,  whether  foreign  or  domestic  missions,  or  the  support  of  our 
literary  institutions. 

We  trust  that  it  will  be  obvious  to  every  one,  that  a  State 
Convention  on  the  general  plan  marked  out  by  the  constitution, 
supported  by  the  different  auxiliaries,  is  the  best  means  of  pro- 
motion, the  great  object  we  have  in  view. 

We  have,  therefore,  appointed  Rev.  John  R.  Dodge,  as  a 
traveling  agent,  to  make  the  necessary  explanations — to  assist 
in  organizing  societies,  solicit  donations  and  subscriptions,  and 
receive  whatever  is  contributed  to  the  funds  of  the  Convention; 
who  will  make  returns  to  the  Board  at  their  next  annual  meeting, 
at  Bethel,  the  third  Wednesday  in  October,  1825,  at  ten  o'clock 

A.  M. 

Done  by  order  of  the  Board, 

John  Conant,  Chairman, 

Joseph  W.  Sawyer,  Clerk  Pro  Tem. 

Randolph,  February  9,  1825. 


432  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Form  of  a  Constitution  for  an  Auxiliary  Society 

Article  1.  This  society  shall  be  called  the  Baptist  Benevolent 
Society,  auxiliary  to  the  Baptist  State  Convention  of  Vermont  and 
vicinity. 

Article  2.  The  sole  object  of  this  society  shall  be  to  raise 
money,  or  other  property,  annually,  to  aid  the  funds  of  the  State 
Convention. 

Article  3.  Any  portable  property  may  be  taken  in  payment 
for  the  subscriptions  of  those  who  sign,  but  no  property  may  be 
taken  on  a  subscription,  above  the  current  price  of  such  property, 
at  the  time  when  it  is  paid  into  the  treasury. 

Article  4.  All  persons,  belonging  to  this  society,  shall  have 
the  privilege  of  designating  the  object  to  which  the  Convention 
shall  appropriate  their  subscriptions  or  donations;  and  the  same 
privilege  is  by  the  Convention,  given  to  each  auxiliary  society. 

Article  5.  It  shall  be  the  duty  and  the  right  of  every  societjs 
which  adopts  this  constitution,  to  send  an  agent  to  each  State 
Convention,  to  act  in  all  their  deliberations. 

Article  6.  The  officers  of  this  society  shall  be  a  chairman 
and  scribe,  a  treasurer  and  collector;  who  shall  perform  the  fol- 
lowing duties,  viz. : 

The  chairman  shall  preside  in  all  the  meetings  of  the  society ; 
the  scribe  shall  keep  the  records  and  conduct  the  correspondence; 
the  treasurer  shall  take  charge  of  the  money  or  property  collected, 
and  pay  it  out  by  order  of  the  society;  the  collector  shall  make 
collection  of  the  same  for  the  society. 

Article  7.  The  annual  meeting  of  the  society  shall  be  on  the 
third  Wednesday  of  October.  The  meeting  shall  be  opened  by 
prayer;  and,  if  practicable,  a  sermon  shall  be  delivered,  before  the 
ordinary  business  of  the  society  commences.  The  report  of  the 
treasurer  shall  be  presented,  and  audited  by  a  committee,  ap- 
pointed for  that  purpose;  and  the  funds  transmitted  to  the  treasur- 
er of  the  State  Convention ;  together  with  directions  for  its  appro- 
priation, unless  it  be  left  at  the  disposal  of  the  Board. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  433 

1824—1840 

At  its  next  session,  October  19,  1825,  the  Convention  began 
to  assume  the  proportions  of  a  State  organization,  and  its  con- 
stituency, constitution,  its  appeal  to  the  churches  and  the  begin- 
nings of  its  work  become  the  objects  of  interesting  study,  in  com- 
parison with  more  recent  developments. 

The  following  associations  and  auxiliary  societies  were  repre- 
sented: Woodstock  Association,  Rev.  Daniel  Packer  and  Rev.  R. 
M.  Ely;  Vermont  Association,  Rev.  Abel  Woods,  Rev.  Joseph 
Sawyer,  Gibbon  Williams,  Rev.  Jonathan  Merriam,  Jr.;  Ley  den 
Association,  Rev.  Phineas  Howe;  Manchester  Association,  Rev. 
C.  M.  Fuller;  Barre  Association,  Rev.  Isaac  Sa^vyer,  Rev.  Timothy 
Spaulding,  Rev.  Elijah  Huntington;  Warren  Baptist  Missionary 
Society,  Bissell  Phelps;  Bethel  Female  Mite  Society,  John  Billings, 
Jr.;  Bethel  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  E.  A.  Fowler;  Putney 
Female  Mite  Society,  John  Townsend;  Putney  Baptist  Benevolent 
Society,  John  Townsend;  Manchester  Female  Mite  Society,  C. 
M.  Fuller;  Grafton  Female  Mite  Society,  C.  M.  Fuller;  Brandon 
Flock  Society,  J.  W.  Sawyer;  Townshend  Baptist  Missionary 
Society,  J.  M.  Graves;  Townshend  Female  Missionary  Society, 
J.  M.  Graves;  Jamaica  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  J.  M.  Graves; 
Jamaica  Female  Missionary  Society,  J.  M.  Graves;  Hartland 
Baptist  Missionary  Society,  Rev.  T.  Grow;  Halifax  Female  Mis- 
sionary Society,  P.  Howe;  Vermont  Baptist  Missionary  Society, 
Rev.  Pharcellus  Church. 

There  is  nothing  in  the  records  to  show  how  many  attended 
the  Convention  besides  the  appointed  delegates,  but  it  is  evident 
that  the  attendance  was  not  large,  as  the  morning  session,  which 
was  doubtless  held  in  the  meeting-house,  adjourned  for  one  hour, 
"and  then  to  meet  at  Deacon  Fowler's." 

Rev.  Nathaniel  W.  Williams,  R.  M.  Ely,  Deacon  Abner 
Forbes  and  Brother  John  Billings  were  appointed  to  prepare  a 
circular,  make  the  necessary  alterations  in  the  constitution  and 
superintend  the  printing  of  the  minutes. 

Elected  Rev.  Isaac  Sawyer,  president;  Rev.  Abel  Woods  and 
Rev.  Daniel  Packer,  vice-presidents;   Rev.  Joseph  Sawyer,    cor- 


434  HISTORY   or  the  baptists  in  VERMONT 

responding  secretary;  Rev.  Richard  M.  Ely,  recording  secretary; 
Deacon  Abner  Forbes,  treasurer;  Brother  John  Jones,  sub-treas- 
urer. 

Rev.  Joseph  Sawyer  and  Cy renins  M.  Fuller  were  appointed 
delegates  to  the  General  Convention  of  the  United  States,  to  meet 
in  New  York,  in  April,  1826. 

The  business  transacted  by  the  Board  of  Managers  makes  a 
very  brief  report.  The  churches  of  Dresden,  Grafton  and  Putney 
were  the  first  to  receive  appropriations;  to  Dresden,  the  sum  of 
twenty  dollars,  that  the  Rev.  Isaac  Fuller  might  continue  his 
labors  with  them;  to  Putney,  fifteen  dollars,  to  be  paid  their  pastor, 
Rev.  M.  McCullar;  and  Elder  Sweet,  a  missionary  for  the  town 
of  Grafton,  was  allowed  to  receive  the  money  still  retained  by  the 
society  there  (auxiliary  to  the  Convention),  for  his  labors  while 
in  the  service  of  the  Convention. 

One  hundred  dollars  were  ordered  sent  to  the  treasurer  of 
the  General  Convention.  Note  the  small  beginnings  of  State 
work  and  the  relatively  large  appropriation  for  the  general  work 
of  the  denomination. 

Several  agents  were  appointed:  Rev.  Timothy  Spaulding,  for 
the  term  of  six  months,  to  labor  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State 
and  vicinity;  Brother  Gibbons  Williams  for  four  weeks;  Rev. 
Isaac  Sa-^yer  to  labor  one-fourth  part  of  the  time  till  the  next 
meeting  of  the  Board;  Rev.  C.  M.  Fuller,  for  four  weeks;  Rev.  J. 
M.  Graves  for  four  weeks. 

The  first  treasurer's  report  is  in  two  columns,  one  for  the 
cash  receipts,  mainly  from  associations  and  societies,  amounting 
to  $184.45;  the  other  for  clothing,  etc.,  amounting  to  $166.56^^. 
The  items  in  the  clothing  column  are  exceedingly  suggestive  of 
the  primitive  conditions  in  those  early  days  of  the  Convention. 
They  are  not  unworthy  of  permanent  record  in  these  pages.  "Tw  o 
boxes  of  clothing,  etc.,  for  Carey  Station,  in  the  hands  of  Asa  Bill- 
ings, Royalton,  from  a  few  females  of  Thetford  and  Fairlee,  $61.00; 
Brandon  Religious  Flock  Society,  14^^  yards  fulled  cloth,  $15.35- 
9  yards  fulled  cloth  from  Manchester  Society,  $9.00;  1  pair  shoes, 
do.,  $1.50;  sundry  clothing  from  Grafton  Female  Missionary^ 
Society,  $17.52;  Putney  Female  Society,  sundry  socks,  etc.,  $4.25; 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  435 

Jamaica  Missionarj^  Society,  sundry  clothing,  $2.08;  Do.  Fern. 
Society,  15  yards  cotton  cloth,  123^^  yards  flannel,  5  pair  socks  and 
1  handkerchief,  $10.38;  Townshend  Missionarj^  Society,  2  pair 
socks,  etc.,  $4.81;  D.  Female  do.,  sundries,  $4.09;  Elder  Dodge,  2 
pair  shoes  and  3  pair  socks,  $2.10;  10  volumes  sermons  and  pamph- 
lets collected  by  Elder  Dodge,  $15.00;  1  pair  Satin  Den  shoes, 
$1.50;  1  pair  child's  morocco  shoes,  $.75,  and  1  cotton  shawl  and 
two  silk  handkerchiefs,  $3. 123/2  5  1  pair  shoes  and  2  pair  socks, 
$1.31}/^;  linen  and  two  yarn  $.94.  From  individuals  in  Plainfield, 
43^  yards  fulled  cloth,  $4.50,  diaper,  $.50;  Middletown  Female 
Missionary  Society,  4  pair  socks  and  43^2  y^^rds  fulled  cloth,  $6.85." 

Contributions  of  goods  and  articles  of  value  continued  for 
some  years  to  form  a  large  part  of  the  income  of  the  Convention. 
The  work  of  collecting,  appraising,  transporting,  storing  and  dis- 
tributing these  articles  became  at  times  burdensome  to  the  treasur- 
er and  his  assistants,  especially  when  the  contributors  were  not 
careful  to  give  a  careful  inventory  of  their  boxes,  or  properly  to 
label  them,  and  more  than  once  they  had  to  be  reminded  of  this 
important  duty. 

The  women  bore  their  full  share  of  the  Convention  burdens, 
giving  their  money,  time  and  toil  for  the  cause.  The  "Female 
Mite  Societies"  and  "Female  Missionary  Societies"  are  con- 
spicuously in  evidence  in  the  treasurer's  reports.  They  carded, 
spun,  wove,  knit,  sewed  and  sacrificed  to  supply  the  needed  re- 
sources. Many  of  them  parted  with  their  personal  ornaments, 
strings  of  gold  beads,  necklaces,  finger  rings,  ear  knobs,  watch 
seals  and  watches,  jewelry  of  every  kind.  These  were  sold  in 
Boston  by  the  agents  of  the  Convention,  and  the  receipts  turned 
into  the  treasury. 

Articles  of  other  kinds  bear  witness  to  the  devotion  of  the 
men.  Sermons,  pamphlets,  sole  leather,  axe  helves,  found  their 
way  to  the  treasury.  An  elder  and  his  family  contributed  "two 
dozen  boxes  of  pills,  appraised  at  four  dollars." 

Children  put  in  their  offerings,  juvenile  societies  and  Sunday 
school  scholars  are  credited  with  contributions,  and  old  people 
cast  in  of  their  slender  income.  Among  the  most  interesting 
entries,  occurring  several  times,  is  "a  tenth  of  an  old  Revolutionary 
soldier's  pension,  sacredly  consecrated." 


436  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

The  Second  Circular,  Five  Hundred  Copies  of  Which 
Were  Ordered  Printed  in  1825 

After  a  comprehensive  review  of  the  missionary  movement 
that  began  with  Pierce  and  Carey  about  the  year  1790,  the  circular 
continues : 

"It  is  probably  kno\^^l  to  you  all,  that  a  Convention  of  our 
denomination  was  formed  in  this  State  one  year  since,  having  for 
its  object  the  promotion  of  the  interests  of  true  religion.  This 
object  they  aim  to  attain,  not  by  an  exclusive  attention  to  any  one 
method  of  exertion,  but  to  embrace  in  the  design,  foreign  and  do- 
mestic missions,  and  the  instruction  of  pious  young  men  called  to 
the  Gospel  ministry.  Which  of  the  three  may  be  considered  the 
most  important,  it  is  difficult  to  say.  The  design  is  to  afford  aid 
to  them  all,  and,  from  time  to  time,  to  bestow  the  greater  atten- 
tion to  that  object,  which  appears  to  need  the  greater  assistance. 
At  the  present  time  it  is  conceived  that  a  considerable  portion  of 
attention  is  needed  in  our  own  State.  Many  of  the  churches  are 
destitute  of  pastors,  and  are  suffering  for  want  of  constant,  faith- 
ful i)reaching  and  discipline,  and  other  parts  of  the  State,  where 
no  churches  exist,  or  where  destructive  errors  and  practices  are 
prevalent,  need  the  faithful  and  judicious  labor  of  pious  mission- 
aries. 

"Many  of  our  churches  and  societies  are  too  small  and  too 
poor  to  support  a  minister  themselves,  but  where  they  lie  con- 
tiguous to  each  other,  by  combining  the  means  of  two  or  three 
churches  and  societies,  they  might  support  a  respectable  preacher, 
who  should  devote  his  whole  time  to  prayer  and  the  ministry  of  the 
Word  in  their  service. 

"In  this  way  our  churches  may  be  brought  into  a  more  reg- 
ular and  systematic  state,  and  it  is  believed  that  by  the  constant 
labors  of  pastors  the  cause  of  religion  would  be  more  extensively 
promoted.  We  know  that,  in  a  state  which  is  comparatively  new, 
it  cannot  be  expected  that  every  desirable  object  should  be  at 
once  accomplished,  but  every^  object  should  be  prosecuted  in  a 
manner  adapted  gradually  to  secure  the  end  proposed.  The  sup- 
port of  faithful  and  well  informed  missionaries,  to  labor  within  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  437 

State,  is  thought  to  be  one  of  the  best  which  we  can  employ.  And 
if  we  would  have  missionaries  qualified  for  their  work,  our  young 
brethren,  who  are  generally  unable  to  bear  their  own  expenses, 
must  be  furnished  by  the  hand  of  christian  charity,  with  the  means 
of  cultivating  and  improving  the  gifts  which  God  graciously  be- 
stowed upon  them. 

"Nor  must  we  overlook  missions  among  the  red  men  of  our 
forests,  and  the  many  millions  of  idolaters  which  live  in  foreign 
countries.  To  carry  the  Gospel  where  it  has  never  been  known  is 
an  apostolical  work.  To  engage  in  this  work,  the  providence  of 
God  is  particularly  inviting  us.  Great  facilities  are  afforded  in  the 
translation  of  the  scriptures,  and  very  pleasing  success  has  of  late 
attended  some  of  the  exertions  which  have  been  made.  It  is  true 
that  the  peril  of  our  dear  friends  in  Burma  have  been  great,  and  for 
the  safety  of  some  of  them  we  have  many  fears.  Yet,  even  there 
it  is  believed  the  way  is  preparing  for  much  more  extensive  efforts, 
and  with  far  greater  safety,  than  were  made  before  the  war. 

"A  more  perfect  translation  of  the  New  Testament  is  now 
preparing  in  Calcutta,  with  which  the  brethren  will  return  to  Bur- 
ma as  soon  as  the  war  shall  have  ended.  Beside  the  missionaries, 
who  have  been  for  several  years  in  India,  our  worthy  Brother 
Boardman,  with  his  wife,  have  probably  reached  their  destination 
about  this  time.  Other  brethren  are  ready  to  go  when  the  Board 
or  management  shall  think  fit  to  send  them.  In  view  of  all  these 
circumstances,  it  must  be  obvious  that  large  expenditures  are  re- 
quired and  larger  ones  will  be  required. 

"How  desirable  it  is  that  missionary  funds  should  be  increased. 
But  we  have  to  lament  that  for  several  years  the  spirit  of  missions 
has  declined,  so  that  it  has  been  with  difficulty  the  Board  has  been 
able  to  support  their  laborers  in  the  field.  We  do  not,  however, 
think  that  this  defect  has  been  wholly  owing  to  the  want  of  feel- 
ing, but  chiefly  to  the  want  of  system  and  cooperation  among  our 
churches.  The  practice  of  forming  distinct  societies  is  not  suf- 
ficiently prevalent.  To  remedy  this  evil  the  Convention  has  been 
formed  in  this  State,  and  it  is  ardently  desired  that,  in  each  and 
all  of  our  churches,  societies  may  be  formed  speedily,  auxiliary  to 
the  Convention,  and  reported  without  delay.     This  Convention 


438  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

will  be  likely  to  become  auxiliary  to  the  General  Convention  of  the 
United  States,  and  thus  a  regular  channel  of  communication  be 
formed  from  the  individual  contributions  to  the  general  treasury. 

"And  now,  beloved  christian  friends,  we  have  only  to  exhort 
you  to  think  of  the  millions  of  precious  souls  that  are  destitute 
of  gospel  instructions  and  liable  every  moment  to  drop  into  etern- 
ity !  Let  the  question  come  home  to  your  oxsti  mind,  'How  much 
owest  thou  unto  my  Lord?'  and  if  your  hearts  are  grateful  for  the 
love  of  Jesus  for  you,  do  all  in  your  power  to  make  knowm  the  same 
love  to  others.  Govern  your  charity  by  this  apostolic  rule:  'Let 
every  one  of  you  lay  by  him  in  store,  on  the  first  day  of  the  week, 
according  as  God  has  prospered  him.'  And  while  you  give,  dear 
friends,  do  not  forget  to  pray  that  a  blessing  may  attend  your 
gifts.  'Prayer  moves  the  hand  that  moves  the  world. '  Imagine 
yourselves  and  your  children  in  the  same  situation  in  which  the 
disciples  of  Jesus  in  Burma  are.  ^Yould  you  not  desire  and  justly 
expect  the  favored  inhabitants  of  America  to  send  the  gospel  to 
your  perishing  countrymen?  Bear,  then,  on  your  hearts  the  poor 
heathen  before  God,  and  in  view  of  that  day  when  you  must  need 
the  assembled  nations  before  the  Lord,  now  act  as  you  will  at  that 
time  wish  you  had  done." 

ORIGINAL  CONSTITUTION  OF  THE   VERMONT 
BAPTIST  STATE  CONVENTION 

Preamble 

At  a  day  when  the  christian  church  is  impressed  with  the 
great  importance  of  spreading  the  Gospel  of  Christ,  the  Baptist 
churches  of  the  State  of  Vermont,  being  desirous  of  aiding  the  same 
cause,  delegates  from  different  parts  of  the  State,  pursuant  to  a 
circular  missive,  from  brethren  convened  at  Montpelier  in  October, 
1883,  resolved  that  it  was  expedient  to  form  a  State  .Convention, 
and  proceeded  to  the  adoption  of  a  constitution,  which,  being 
altered  and  amended  by  a  committee  appointed  by  the  Convention 
for  that  purpose,  at  their  annual  meeting  in  Bethel,  in  the  present 
month  of  October,  1825,  the  following  is  the  revised: 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  439 

Constitution 

of  the  baptist  convention  of  the  state  of  vermont  and 

vicinity 

I.  This  Convention  shall  be  called  The  Baptist  Convention  of 
the  State  of  Vermont  and  Vicinity. 

II.  The  object  of  this  Convention  shall  be  to  unite  the  wisdom 
and  energies  of  the  Baptist  Denomination  in  this  State  and 
vicinity,  thereby  to  facilitate  their  union  and  cooperation 
in  supporting  missionary  labors  among  the  destitute,  and 
to  devise  and  execute  other  important  measures  for  the  ad- 
vancement of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

III.  This  Convention  shall  be  composed  of  delegates  annually 
appointed,  by  the  different  Associations,  Missionary  and 
Education  Societies  within  the  State  and  vicinity,  i.  e., 
each  Association  contributing  to  the  funds  of  the  Convention 
shall  have  the  right  of  sending  one  delegate,  and  for  a  con- 
tribution of  $50  or  more,  shall  have  the  right  of  sending  two 
delegates.  Each  Missionary  or  Education  Society,  which 
shall  contribute  to  the  funds,  shall  have  the  right  of  sending 
one  delegate,  and  for  a  contribution  of  $50  or  more,  two 
delegates;  and  each  individual  contributing  $5  annually, 
shall  be  a  member  for  life,  and  anyone  who  shall  contribute 
$50  at  one  time,  shall  be  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees 
for  life. 

IV.  The  Convention  shall  meet  annually  at  such  time  and  place 
as  shall  be  appointed,  at  which  time  a  sermon  shall  be  de- 
livered by  a  person  previously  elected,  at  the  close  of  which 
a  collection  shall  be  taken  up  for  the  benefit  of  the  Con- 
vention. 

V.  At  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Convention  there  shall  be 
chosen  by  ballot  a  President,  two  Vice  Presidents,  Corres- 
ponding Secretary,  Recording  Secretary,  Treasurer,  and 
one  Trustee,  who  shall  constitute  a  Board  of  Managers 
eight  of  whom  shall  be  a  quorum  to  transact  business. 


440  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

VI.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  President  to  preside  in  all  meet- 
ings of  the  Convention  and  Board  of  Managers,  and  in  his 
absence  one  of  the  Vice  Presidents  shall  fill  his  place. 

VII.  The  Corresponding  Secretary  shall  maintain  correspondence 
with  such  individuals  and  societies  as  he  may  think  proper, 
or  the  Board  may  direct,  with  a  view  to  aid  the  great  ob- 
jects of  the  Convention. 

VIII.  The  Recording  Secretary  shall  register  every  society  which 
becomes  an  auxiliary',  and  every  member's  name,  and  shall 
keep  a  fair  record  of  the  transactions  of  the  Convention  and 
Board  of  Managers,  which  shall  be  liable  to  their  inspection 
whenever  requested. 

IX.  The  Treasurer  shall  receive  all  donations  made  to  the  Con- 
vention, and  give  a  sufficient  security  for  the  funds  in  his 
possession,  and  shall  pay  out  on  the  written  order  of  the 
Board,  signed  by  the  Secretary,  and  shall  render  an  accurate 
statement  of  accounts  at  each  meeting  of  the  Convention, 
or  oftener  if  required  by  the  Board. 

X.  In  regard  to  the  funds,  contributed  to  the  promotion  of  the 
general  objects  here  contemplated,  the  Board  shall  exercise 
discretion  in  their  appropriation,  but  no  moneys,  contributed 
for  any  specific  object  shall  be  otherwise  applied.  They 
also  shall  have  power  to  make  appropriations,  from  time 
to  time,  to  the  General  Convention  of  the  Baptist  Denomi- 
nation in  the  United  States, — to  employ  missionaries,  de- 
cide on  their  qualifications,  designate  the  place  of  their 
labors,  and  dismiss  them  at  their  discretion,  and  they  may 
draw  on  the  treasurer  for  the  amounts  due  such  missiona- 
ries,— appoint  agents  to  collect  funds,  and  at  their  annual 
meeting  shall  make  a  report  of  their  proceedings  for  the 
past  year. 

XI.  The  Convention  shall  recognize  the  independence  and 
liberty  of  the  churches  of  Christ,  and  shall  not  in  any  case 
interfere  with  their  spiritual  or  secular  interests;  and  no 
decision  of  this  body  shall  be  further  binding  on  any  church 
or  association,  than  the  decisions  of  the  Associations  are 
upon  the  churches  which  compose  them. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  441 

XII.  Whenever  a  General  Convention  from  State  Conventions 
throughout  the  United  States,  shall  be  formed, or  designed, 
it  shall  be  in  the  power  of  this  C'onvention  to  send  delegates 
to  meet  in  such  Convention  and  to  instruct  them  to  enter 
into  any  arrangements  to  promote  the  interests  of  religion 
not  inconsistent  with  this  Convention,  nor  with  the  general 
declaration  on  which  it  is  founded. 

XIII.  It  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  delegates,  from  each  Association, 
to  present  to  the  Convention  a  full  and  correct  list  of  all 
the  churches  belonging  to  the  Association  which  they  repre- 
sent. This  list  shall  specify  the  number  of  churches  and 
of  members  at  present,  the  numbers  added,  dismissed,  ex- 
cluded and  deceased,  since  the  last  meeting,  the  number  of 
licentiates,  and  the  number  of  destitute  churches,  belonging 
to  the  Association,  together  with  such  other  information  as 
the  Convention  may,  from  time  to  time,  request. 

XIV.  Any  alterations  may  be  made  to  this  Constitution  at  any 
annual  meeting  of  the  Convention,  by  three-fourths  of  the 
members  present. 

XV.  This  Convention  may  make  such  by-laws,  from  time  to 
time,  as  may  be  thought  proper,  not  incompatible  with  this 
Constitution. 

In  1826,  the  Convention  met  in  the  Baptist  meeting-house  in 
Poultney.     Rev.  Isaac  Sawyer  presided. 

Deacon  Forbes,  Rev.  Alvah  Sabin  and  Rev.  John  Ide,  were 
chosen  a  committee  to  obtain  from  the  legislature  the  grant  of 
an  act  of  incorporation  for  the  Convention. 

The  Board  of  Managers  reported  that  the  agents  appointed 
at  the  last  meeting  had  organized  seventy -five  societies,  from  which 
an  income  of  $1,651  was  expected;  $20  had  been  appropriated  for 
the  church  in  Dresden,  N.  Y.,  for  the  support  of  Rev.  Isaac  Fuller; 
$15  to  assist  the  church  in  Putney,  and  $60  to  the  church  in  Rut- 
land, to  enable  them  to  obtain  a  suitable  minister  to  preach  in  East 
Village,  in  the  court  house. 

The  treasurer's  report  showed  receipts  in  money  and  goods 
amounting  to  $1,248,  received  from  no  less  than  fifty -four  societies 
and  associations. 


442  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

At  this  session  a  resolution  was  passed  earnestly  recommend- 
ing to  the  churches  and  ministers  to  take  immediate  measures  to 
promote  the  systematic  study  of  the  sacred  Scriptures.  An  elabo- 
rate plan  for  systematic  instruction  was  presented  by  Mr.  Merriam, 
which  was  endorsed  by  the  Convention. 

In  1827,  the  Convention  met  at  Mount  Holly,  October  17. 
Aaron  Leland  presided  and  preached  the  concluding  discourse. 

Ira  M.  Allen  was  authorized  to  carry  into  effect  the  plan  of 
forming  county  societies,  auxiliary  to  the  Convention,  to  be  com- 
posed of  primary  societies,  in  order  to  establish  a  uniform  system 
of  operation  throughout  the  State,  and  it  was  resolved  to  employ 
Mr.  Allen  as  agent,  until  he  had  passed  over  the  State,  agreeable 
to  the  plan  on  which  he  had  commenced,  and  pay  him  according  to 
the  agreement  made  with  him  by  the  committee  of  the  Board. 

The  Board,  in  their  report  at  this  session,  complain  of  their 
lack  of  success,  and  yet  show  a  commendable  amount  of  missionary 
work  done.  They  say,  "The  principal  object  of  this  Convention 
is  to  amass  together  all  the  pecuniary  resources  of  the  denomina- 
tion, for  the  purpose  of  rendering  the  most  immediate  and  ef- 
fectual aid  to  the  cause  of  general  l^enevolence.  This  object  has 
therefore  been  viewed  by  us  as  one  of  primary  importance,  and  when 
attending  to  it,  we  have  felt  the  necessity  of  having  an  agent 
constantly  employed  'informing  societies  auxiliary  to  the  Conven- 
tion, and  promoting  a  spirit  of  liberality  in  the  churches.  But 
after  making  diligent  and  unwearied  efforts  to  obtain  a  person  suit- 
able to  act  in  such  a  capacity,  it  is  with  regret  that  we  state  to  you 
that  we  have  not  succeeded  to  our  wishes." 

The  Board  employed  Rev.  Timothy  Spaulding  as  agent  in  the 
early  part  of  the  year.  He  stated  that  he  had  formed  sixteen 
primary  societies  in  the  to^\Tls  of  Rochester,  Middlebury,  Bridport, 
Addison,  Panton,  Bristol,  Jericho,  Essex,  Fairfax,  and  Cambridge; 
that  the  sums  subscribed  would  jjrobably  amount  to  $232.  The 
whole  number  of  subscribers,  two  hundred  and  ninety-two.  He 
also  stated  that  "a  part  of  the  societies  were  flock  societies;  the 
number  of  sheep  for  which  keeping  has  been  procured  was  thirty- 
five.  Mr.  Spaulding  stated  that  his  missionary  labors  were  per- 
formed in  the  following  towns:     Chelsea,  Brookfield,  Washington, 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  443 

Barre,  Plainfield,  Orange,  Topsham,  Bradford,  Montpelier,  Nor- 
wich, Sterling  and  Rochester.  He  found  some  of  these  churches 
in  a  very  low  state,  spiritually;  baptized  four  persons  and  received, 
while  engaged  as  missionary  and  agent  for  the  Convention,  $31.34, 
and  articles  of  clothing,  etc.,  to  a  considerable  amount,  not  valued. 

Rev.  Joseph  Gambrell  spent  ten  weeks  with  the  churches  of 
Winhall,  Londonderry  and  Weston. 

The  northwest  part  of  the  State,  adjacent  to  Lower  Canada, 
offered  at  that  time  the  most  extensive  and  needy  field  for  mission- 
ary effort.  There  were  a  few  feeble  churches,  scattered  here  and 
there,  that  are  described  as  appearing  like  stars  of  the  sixth  magni- 
tude, and  there  were  few  ministers  to  break  the  bread  of  life  there. 
The  cry  from  that  region  was  like  that  from  Macedonia,  "Come 
over  and  help  us,"  and  the  Board  could  not  but  respond.  Rev. 
Marvin  Grow  was  sent  and  labored  in  twenty  to-^ms,  baptizing 
eighteen  persons,  and  reporting  revivals  in  Richford,  Montgomery, 
Craftsbury,  Maiden  and  Goshen  Gore. 

Rev.  John  Ide  was  another  missionary  sent  to  that  part  of  the 
State,  laboring  in  sixteen  towns.  He  was  gladly  received  wherever 
he  went  and  baptized  seven  persons,  assisted  in  organizing  one 
church,  and  formed  one  auxiliary^  society.  Rev.  Harvey  Clark, 
another  missionary,  was  sent  across  the  border  into  Lower  Canada 
and  spent  about  twelve  weeks,  principally  in  Stanstead,  Barnston, 
Eaton,  Bolton,  Dunham,  St.  Armand  and  Stanbridge.  Mr.  Harvey 
reported  the  region  very  destitute  of  evangelical  preaching,  and 
that  he  was  probably  the  only  Baptist  preacher  in  that  region. 

Ira  M.  Allen,  agent  of  the  Convention,  during  an  agency  of 
six  weeks  in  Bennington  County,  traveled  five  hundred  miles, 
originated  five  primary  societies  and  reorganized  sixteen.  He 
found  many  societies  in  a  dying  state,  their  annual  meetings  having 
passed  without  notice,  and  nothing  would  have  been  raised  by 
them  had  they  not  been  visited  by  an  agent. 

Appropriations  of  from  $20  to  $25  were  made  to  the  churches 
in  Dresden,  East  Clarendon,  Pittsford,  Dorset  and  Arlington,  and 
one  of  $60  to  the  Rutland  church,  which  had  been  suppHed  during 
the  year  with  a  pastor  and  had  erected  a  new,  decent  house  of 
worship. 


444  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

An  appropriation  of  $33  was  made  to  Hamilton  Theological 
School,  and  $20  given  to  assist  a  beneficiary  of  that  school. 

Boxes  of  clothing  were  sent  to  the  western  missionary  sta- 
tions among  the  Indians,  and  $300  appropriated  to  the  Burman 
missions. 

One  cannot  read  this  report  without  being  impressed  with  the 
breadth  of  the  missionary  spirit  of  the  Convention. 

In  1828,  the  Board  reported  that  the  small  amount  of  funds, 
and  the  difficulty  in  obtaining  suitable  men,  had  given  them  much 
perplexity.  Home  and  foreign  missions  received  some  support, 
and  the  circulation  of  missionary  and  other  religious  periodicals 
and  publications  was  encouraged  by  the  Convention  and  its  agents. 
Seven  missionaries  had  been  employed  from  two  weeks  to  three 
months  each.  In  this  number  of  missionaries  was  Rev.  Wm. 
Arthur,  widely  known  now  as  the  father  of  Ex-President  Chester 
Allen  Arthur.  In  his  report  to  the  Board  he  gave  a  gratifying 
account  of  his  work,  which  was  half  the  time  for  six  months  in 
Richford.  He  remarks  that  when  the  brethren  were  made  ac- 
quainted with  his  appointment  to  labor  among  them  as  an  under 
shepherd,  they  manifested  gratitude  to  the  Giver  of  every  good  and 
perfect  gift,  as  also  to  the  Board  for  their  special  fostering  care  ex- 
hibited to  them  in  seasons  of  peculiar  need.  He  had  the  pleasure, 
generally,  of  preaching  to  large  and  deeply  interested  audiences, 
and  frequently  enjoyed  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  anxious  sinners 
come  forward  to  request  prayers.  During  the  period  of  labor  with 
them,  seventeen  were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism  and  three 
by  letter. 

The  connection  of  William  Arthur  with  the  Convention,  and 
his  relation  to  the  people  of  this  country  as  the  father  of  Chester 
Arthur,  give  special  interest  to  the  account  of  his  life  and  character 
published  at  the  time  of  his  death.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of 
Antrim,  Ireland,  in  the  year  1797.  He  sprang  from  that  Scotch- 
Irish  stock  which  is  excelled  by  no  other  in  all  those  qualities  which 
go  to  make  strong,  true,  independent  men.  After  a  thorough  pre- 
liminary training,  he  entered  Belfast  College  and  was  graduated 
from  that  institution  at  the  early  age  of  eighteen.  Not  long  after, 
he  determined  to  make  the  new  world  his  home  and  accordingly 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  445 

sailed  from  Liverpool  to  New  York.  Proceeding  from  the  metro- 
polis he  began  his  labors  in  this  county  as  principal  of  Burlington 
Academy.  While  maintaining  this  connection  he  commenced 
the  study  of  the  law,  which  he  subsequently  continued  in  the  office 
of  Governor  Van  Ness  of  Vermont.  His  future,  however,  was 
destined  to  run  along  a  different  path,  and  he  had  not  been  long 
at  the  law  before  he  became  convinced,  first  in  his  heart  and  then 
in  his  mind,  that  he  was  called  to  the  ministry.  He  at  once  ])re- 
pared  himself  with  characteristic  energy  and  assiduity  for  the 
sacred  calling,  and  in  due  course  of  time  was  installed  as  minister 
of  the  Baptist  church  in  Bennington.  He  was  subsequently  settled 
at  Hinesburg,  Fairfield  and  Williston,  Vt.,  and,  in  1835,  removed  to 
western  New  York.  After  laboring  a  while  at  York,  Livingston 
county,  he  accepted  a  call  from  the  Baptist  church  in  Greenwich, 
Washington  County,  and  in  that  field  remained  five  years.  Later 
he  removed  to  Schenectady  and  had  charge  successively  at  Schen- 
ectady, Lansingburg,  Hoosick,  West  Troy  and  Albany.  Among 
his  literary  labors,  the  most  ^\adely  known  was  his  work  on 
"Family  Names. " 

A  correspondent  of  the  Rutland  Herald,  probably  Dr.  Case, 
of  Brandon,  wrote  the  following  letter  to  that  paper : 

"I  send  you  a  few  facts  concerning  the  parentage  and  birth 
of  Gen.  Arthur,  the  Repubhcan  nominee  for  Vice  President. 
Nearly  fifty  years  ago,  the  writer,  then  a  small  boy,  lived  in  a  re- 
mote district  in  the  town  of  Fairfield,  Vt.,  which  joins  St.  Albans 
on  the  east.  I  well  remember  the  advent  to  that  neighborhood  of 
a  Baptist  preacher  of  Irish  birth,  but  of  remarkable  ability  and 
eloquence.  He  drew  audiences  unheard  of  before  in  that  rustic 
community,  where  there  was  a  flourishing  Baptist  church.  He  at 
first  preached  in  the  district  schoolhouse,  which  soon  failed  to 
hold  half  his  audience.  Finally,  a  spacious  neighboring  barn  was 
pressed  into  service  as  a  place  of  worship.  A  meeting-house  was 
soon  built  in  which  he  afterward  preached.  On  moving  his  family 
to  the  place  of  his  labors  there  was  no  vacant  house  suitable  to  re- 
ceive them,  as  the  large  families  of  the  farmers  filled  all  desirable 
tenements.  The  minister  and  his  wife  and  four  young  daughters 
moved  into  a  small  log  cabin,  onlv  a  few  rods  from  the  humble 


446  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

dwelling  of  my  parents,  to  remain  there  till  a  small  but  comfortable 
parsonage  should  be  built  across  the  way.  In  this  log  cabin  Chester 
A.  Arthur  was  born. " 

At  the  session  in  1829,  the  Convention  made  its  first  declara- 
tion on  the  subject  of  temperance,  appointing  a  committee  on  that 
subject  composed  of  three  strong  men — Hadley  Proctor,  Aaron 
Leland  and  Alvah  Sabin.  When  we  take  into  account  the  com- 
paratively low  standard  of  public  sentiment  at  that  time  upon  the 
subject  of  temperance,  the  stand  taken  by  the  Convention  becomes 
an  item  of  history  worthy  of  record.  The  report  of  the  committee 
sounded  a  note  of  uncompromising  hostility  to  the  use  and  sale 
of  intoxicants.     The  report: 

"The  committee  on  the  subject  of  intemperance  beg  leave 
to  report  that  they  consider  the  evil  of  intemperance  as  one  of  an 
alarming  nature,  and  while  they  are  pleased  with  the  powerful 
check  which  it  has  received,  it  is  still  evident  that  much  more  must 
be  done  before  the  remedy  will  be  equal  to  the  disease.  It  is  the 
duty  of  all  christians  to  use  their  influence  to  advance  the  cause  of 
temperance,  and  especially  should  the  ministers  of  religion  lift  up 
their  voice  and  cry  aloud  until  the  alarm  be  sounded  through  all 
the  land,  and  the  means  of  suppressing  the  evil  be  known  and  suc- 
cessfully employed.  It  is  the  duty  of  every  christian  to  adopt  as 
his  maxim,  in  relation  to  this  subject,  'Touch  not.  Taste  not, 
Handle  not.'     Wherefore, 

''Resolved,  1.  That  it  be  recommended,  that  all  persons,  and 
especially  professors  of  religion,  wholly  abstain  from  the  use  of 
inebriating  liquors. 

"2.  That  it  be  recommended  to  the  several  churches  to  take 
the  subject  into  consideration,  and  adopt  such  measures  as  will  best 
promote  temperance,  and  report  next  year  to  the  Convention  their 
doings  on  the  subject. 

"3.  That  this  Convention  approve  of  the  object  and  measures 
of  the  American  Society  for  promoting  temperance,  and  recom- 
mend to  the  churches  a  cooperation  with  that  body  to  the  extent 
of  its  ability. 

"Hadley  Proctor,  Chairman." 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  447 

Another  important  incident  marked  the  session  of  the  Conven- 
tion in  1829.  "On  the  expediency  of  forming  a  Sabbath  School 
Union  for  the  Baptist  Denomination  in  this  State,  the  churches  by 
their  delegates  were  agreed;  therefore,  Resolved,  that  we  proceed 
to  form  a  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union  for  the  State  of  Vermont. " 
Jonathan  Merriam,  Leland  Howard  and  Cyrus  W.  Hodges,  were 
appointed  to  draft  a  constitution,  wliich,  after  amendments,  was 
adopted  and  the  Union  organized  by  choice  of  Rev.  Proctor,  presi- 
dent; Rev.  Jonathan  Merriam,  corresponding  secretary;  and  Eli 
B.  Smith,  recording  secretary.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
prepare  a  suitable  address  to  the  churches  which,  with  the  constitu- 
tion, was  printed  in  the  Vermont  Telegraph,  a  paper  which  was  re- 
garded as  an  important  auxiliary  in  promoting  the  various  objects 
of  the  Convention.  This  organization  was  maintained  until  1844, 
when  it  was  merged  into  the  State  Convention. 

The  year  1830,  was  one  of  great  religious  interest  throughout 
the  churches  in  most  of  the  Associations.  The  baptisms  for  the 
year  were  one  thousand,  three  hundred  and  twenty -nine.  The 
Board  reported  the  missionary  work  as  encouraging,  considering 
the  amount  of  funds  at  their  disposal,  $1,609.  Six  missionaries 
were  employed,  mostly  for  short  periods  of  time,  and  thirteen 
churches  were  aided,  among  them  the  Burlington  church,  which  was 
organized  that  year,  and  was  aided  to  the  amount  of  $100.  The 
great  destitution  of  pastors  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  State,  to- 
gether with  the  inability  of  the  Board  to  procure  suitable  men  to 
supply  vacancies,  led  them  to  recommend  to  such  churches  to  unite 
in  forming  circuits  of  suitable  size,  and  to  employ  one  or  more  min- 
isters to  preach  to  them.  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves  was  appointed  agent 
of  the  Convention  to  assist  the  churches  in  forming  such  circuits. 
Committees  in  each  association  were  also  appointed  to  carry  the 
measure  into  effect. 

At  this  anniversary  was  formed  the  Vermont  Branch  of  the 
Northern  Baptist  Education  Society.  This  society,  of  which 
further  account  wall  be  given,  was  maintained  till  1845,  when  it 
was  merged  into  the  State  Convention. 

The  next  anniversary,  in  1831,  was  one  of  deep  and  thrOling 
interest.     A  large  majority  of  the  churches  had  enjoyed  a  glorious 


448  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

refreshing  from  the  presence  of  the  Lord — one  thousand,  two  hun- 
dred and  sixty-three  baptisms  were  reported  for  the  year.  The 
circuit  system  so  far  as  organized  had  worked  well.  Eight  mis- 
sionaries were  employed,  most  of  them  for  short  seasons. 

Some  of  the  aided  churches  had  been  specially  blessed  by  re- 
vival influences  and  additions  to  their  membership.  The  Arlington 
church  had  received  thirty  by  baptism;  Middletown  was  rejoicing 
in  the  addition  of  fifty,  nearly  all  youth  and  children.  The  pastor 
of  the  Wallingford  church  had  baptized  forty;  Williston  had  re- 
ceived thirteen  converts;  Londonderry  and  Weston  each  had  re- 
ceived fifteen.  Burlington  alone  is  mentioned  with  discourage- 
ment. Brother  Winegar,  after  laboring  there  eighteen  weeks, 
thought  the  prospect  not  very  flattering  for  a  Baptist  church 
there.     They  had  no  convenient  place  of  worship. 

At  this  session,  which  was  held  in  Ludlow,  the  Convention 
appointed  a  board  of  twenty -five  trustees  "to  take  measures  to 
establish  a  literary  institution  in  this  State. "  This  action  resulted 
in  the  founding  at  Brandon,  in  1833,  of  the  Vermont  Literary  and 
Scientific  Institution,  which  school,  in  its  day,  did  good  service  in 
the  cause  of  education,  but  for  want  of  adequate  support  did  not 
realize  the  hopes  of  the  founders. 

The  year  1832,  was  also  a  year  of  unusual  spiritual  prosperity. 
About  one  thousand,  six  hundred  souls  were  gathered  into  the 
churches  by  baptism.  The  receipts  of  the  Convention  were  large, 
amounting  to  $2,347.  The  domestic  mission  work  was  carried 
on  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State  and  in  Canada,  though  by 
fewer  missionaries  and  with  less  \igor  than  for  a  few  years  pre- 
vious. Fewer  churches  also  were  aided  than  before.  Foreign 
missions  absorbed,  and  naturally,  a  larger  share  of  the  interest  of 
the  churches  that  year.  Since  its  organization  the  Convention 
had  taken  a  deep  interest  in  the  Burman  mission.  During  the 
six  years  it  had  contributed  more  than  $1,000  to  its  work.  Now 
the  relation  was  to  be  still  more  intimate  and  sympathetic,  for  one 
of  their  own  number  was  to  be  a  missionary  there,  and  for  this 
event  the  churches  had  been  preparing,  having  raised  some  $1,800 
for  the  outfit,  passage  money,  and  support  of  Nathan  BrowTi  and 
his  wife,  who  were  soon  to  sail  as  "  our  missionaries  to  Burma. " 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  449 

The  Convention  at  this  session  pledged  itself  to  support  the 
Rev.  Nathan  Brown  and  wife,  "while  they  shall  labor  as  mission- 
aries under  the  approbation  of  the  Baptist  General  Convention." 

The  Board  in  its  report  says,  "This  field  has  now  become  ex- 
ceedingly dear  to  us,  from  the  circumstance  that  one  of  ourselves 
has  taken  a  commission  to  labor  in  it,  nursed  in  our  churches,  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  a  missionary  by  our  hands,  clothed,  fur- 
nished, and  sent  forth  by  our  liberality,  known  to  our  eyes,  loved 
by  our  hearts,  and  to  be  sustained  through  the  toils  of  his  life  by 
the  aid  we  have  pledged;  we  are,  it  is  believed,  ready  to  say,  as 
was  said  to  the  first  mission  from  England :  while  Nathan  Brown 
is  in  the  well,  we  will  hold  him  up — we  will  not  let  go  the  rope. " 

Although  Dr.  Brown  was  not  born  in  Vermont,  and  was  edu- 
cated in  Massachusetts,  yet,  as  he  removed  with  his  parents  to 
Whitingham  the  year  after  his  birth,  and  was  ordained  and  sent 
out  from  this  State,  he  is  appropriately  claimed  as  our  representa- 
tive. He  was  born  in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  in  1807.  He  was  con- 
verted at  the  age  of  nine  years  and  received  into  the  Whitingham 
church,  August  5,  1816.  He  was  graduated  from  Williams  College 
in  1827.  After  graduation  he  was  one  of  the  associate  principals 
in  the  Bennington  Seminary,  in  1829,  having  taught  formerly  in 
Sunderland  and  Ipswich,  Mass.,  and  Concord,  N.  H.,  thus  earning 
money  to  pay  his  debts  incurred  during  his  college  course.  Here 
he  became  acquainted  with  William  Lloyd  Garrison,  then  editor 
of  the  Bennington  Times,  and  the  intimacy  doubtless  deepened 
and  intensified  his  anti-slavery  views. 

He  was  dismissed  from  the  Whitingham  church  to  unite  with 
the  Bennington  church,  March  6,  1830.  On  the  sixth  of  May, 
1830,  he  married  Eliza  Ballard,  who  was  born  in  Charlmont, 
Mass.,  April  12,  1807,  and  was  educated  at  Framingham,  Mass., 
and  later  at  Sanderson  Academy  in  Buckland,  Mass.,  then  under 
the  charge  of  Miss  Mary  Lyon.  For  a  while  they  resided  at  Bran- 
don, and  Mr.  Brown  was  editor  of  The  Vermont  Telegraph.  He  was 
a  member,  for  a  short  season,  of  the  church  in  Rutland,  and  was 
ordained  there  as  a  missionary  to  Burma,  August  15,  1832.  They 
embarked  for  Burma,  December  21,  1832,  and  arrived  in  Bengal, 
May  2,  1833. 


450  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

As  a  translator,  philologist,  poet  and  philanthropist.  Dr. 
Brown  met  the  highest  expectations  of  those  who  were  so  interested 
in  his  going  to  the  foreign  field. 

Dr.  and  Mrs.  Brown,  in  consequence  of  conscientious  scruples 
in  regard  to  the  receipt  of  money  from  slave-holders,  for  the  sup- 
port of  missions,  returned  to  this  country  in  1855. 

For  fifteen  years  he  was  editor  of  the  American  Baptist,  the 
organ  of  the  American  Free  Baptist  Mission  Society.  While  he 
was  in  this  post,  he  was  one  of  a  committee  of  three,  who  visited 
President  Lincoln,  to  urge  the  issue  of  the  Emancipation  Proclama- 
tion. The  difference  among  northern  Baptists  in  regard  to 
slavery  having  been  settled  by  the  war  of  the  rebellion,  Mr.  Brown 
accepted  an  appointment  from  the  missionary  union  as  a  mission- 
ary to  Japan,  and  reached  there  in  February,  1873,  when  he  was 
sixty-five  years  old.  Having  translated  the  New  Testament  into 
that  language,  finishing  it  in  1847,  he  now  did  a  kindred  work  for 
the  Japanese,  completing  it  in  1879.  He  died  January  1,  1886, 
aged  seventy-nine  years. 

Mrs.  Eliza  Brown  died  in  1871.  On  the  24th  of  July,  1872, 
Dr.  Brown  married  Mrs.  Charlotte  A.  (Worth)  Marlitt. 

The  joy  of  the  delegates  at  this  session,  in  1832,  was  tempered 
with  sadness  on  account  of  the  death  of  one  of  its  foremost  mem- 
bers, Elder  Aaron  Leland.  At  the  close  of  the  annual  report,  the 
Board  ])ay  a  brief  but  fitting  tribute  of  respect  to  the  venerable 
Father  Leland,  "wliohad  for  the  last  five  years,  witli  no  ordinary 
diligence  and  patience,  presided  o^■er  the  deliberations  of  your 
Board,  and  taken  a  verj'  active  part  in  all  the  business  of  the  Con- 
vention. Prompt  in  his  attendance  upon  all  the  meetings  of  the 
Board  and  Convention,  ever  ready  to  unite  with  all  the  friends  of 
Zion  in  all  measures  to  advance  her  interests,  we  feel  that  we  may 
be  allowed  to  imitate  the  conduct  of  the  ancient  Israelites,  who 
mourned  when  they  saw  that  Aaron  was  dead." 

At  this  meeting  also  the  Convention  voted  to  become  an  auxil- 
iary of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  or- 
ganized a  board  of  managers  to  act  as  an  executive  committee 
for  home  missions.  Of  this  board,  Alva  Sabin  was  president  and 
G.  B.  Ide,  secretary. 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  451 

In  their  report  on  the  state  of  rehgion  for  1833,  it  appears  that 
the  churches  were  generally  prosperous,  although  in  the  Barre 
Association  the  condition  was  said  to  be  deplorable.  It  had  four- 
teen churches  and  only  three  were  ordained  ministers.  The  Board 
appropriated  $200  to  support  circuit  preaching  in  eight  towns  in 
the  northwestern  portion  of  the  Danville  Association,  and  Brethren 
Downs,  Powell  and  Jonathan  Baldwin  preached  on  the  circuit 
with  much  success.  Earnest  effort  had  been  made  to  secure  an 
effective  agent  for  the  Convention  and  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves  had  been 
engaged,  but  for  special  reasons  he  had  been  able  to  give  but  ten 
weeks  to  this  work.  At  one  of  its  meetings  the  Board,  having 
sought  in  vain  to  secure  an  eflScient  agent,  appointed  every  Bap- 
tist minister  in  the  State  an  agent  of  the  Convention.  But  the 
result  approved  the  wisdom  of  the  old  adage,  "What  is  every- 
body's business  is  nobody's,"  as  the  receipts  for  the  year  were 
only  $755,  the  smallest  amount  reported  since  the  first  year  of  the 
Convention,  when  the  Board  began  by  appointing  twenty  agents. 

At  this  session,  added  to  the  usual  committees  was  one  on 
tracts.  On  this  was  the  untiring  Hadley  Proctor  and  Edward 
Mitchell.  In  their  report  they  refer  to  the  general  utility  of  tracts, 
as  proven  by  their  success  in  the  foreign  mission  work,  and  by  the 
increasing  demand  for  them  throughout  the  world.  The  report 
concludes  with  the  resolution,  "(1)  That  we  feel  a  deep  interest 
in  the  affairs  of  the  Baptist  General  Tract  Society  and  approve 
both  their  general  and  denominational  publications;  (2)  That  we 
purchase  the  Depository  at  Brandon  and  take  the  whole  manage- 
ment of  the  concern;  (3)  That  we  furnish  all  our  domestic  mis- 
sionaries a  suitable  portion  of  tracts  for  gratuitous  distribution. " 

The  sessions  of  the  Convention  were  adjourned  three  hours 
to  give  time  for  the  anniversary  of  the  Education  Society. 

In  1834,  the  Convention  held  its  anniversary  at  North  Spring- 
field. Mr.  Joab  Seely,  agent  of  the  American  Bible  Society,  ad- 
dressed the  Convention  in  relation  to  the  work  of  that  society,  and 
was  commended  to  the  patronage  of  the  Baptist  churches  of  Ver- 
mont, among  which  he  was  then  traveling. 

Rev.  Bela  Jacobs,  secretary  of  the  Western  Baptist  Education 
Society,  gave  an  interesting  account  of  the  efforts  in  operation  to 


452  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

extend  general  information  and  pure  religion  throughout  the  states 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  upon  calling  for  contributions,  above 
$100  was  immediately  raised  for  the  work  of  the  society  he  repre- 
sented, and  resolutions  passed  commending  the  interests  of  that 
great  valley,  \Wth  its  rapidly  increasing  population,  to  the  prayers 
and  contributions  of  the  people.  The  work  of  the  Board  had  been 
limited  for  lack  of  means.  But  few  churches  had  been  aided.  The 
Orleans  circuit  had  been  organized,  but  no  man  found  to  take 
charge  of  it.  One  church,  the  Passumpsic,  realizing  the  destitu- 
tion in  this  circuit,  were  willing  that  their  pastor  should  be  absent 
from  home  a  third  of  the  time,  and  he  worked  with  success  and  was 
rewarded  by  seeing  several  churches  revived,  and  reported  sixty 
conversions  in  Derby  and  thirty  in  Coventry. 

William  Guilford  and  Prosper  Davison  were  employed  about 
thirteen  weeks,  and  Edward  Mitchell  and  Jona.  Baldwin  worked 
in  Lower  Canada  with  encouraging  success.  During  that  year 
twelve  protracted  meetings  were  held  in  the  Danville  Association, 
and  three  hundred  were  V)aptized  into  the  fellowship  of  those 
churches. 

The  Leyden  Association  changed  its  name  to  the  Windham 
County  Association.  The  Vermont  Association  was  divided  and 
its  boundaries  confined  to  Rutland  County. 

The  Addison  Association  held  its  first  anniversary  this  year. 

We  have  covered  now  the  first  decade  in  the  history  of  the 
Convention.  The  results  have  been  thus  summed  up  by  Rev. 
Chas.  Hibbard,  whose  centennial  address  is  the  basis  of  what  has 
been  already  given.  "The  success  of  the  organization  has  already 
become  assured.  It  has  facilitated  intercourse  among  brethren 
in  all  parts  of  tlie  State;  it  has  become  a  strong  bond  of  union  to  the 
churches  and  of  fraternal  and  christian  affection  to  their  member- 
ship ;  it  has  made  known  to  all  the  wants  of  the  destitute,  and  has 
become  the  medium  of  their  relief.  Noble  plans  of  usefulness  have 
been  devised,  sectional  jealousies  have  been  removed,  selfishness 
repressed  and  benevolence  promoted.  Churches  separated  by 
mountain  barriers  have  become  one  in  feeling,  in  interest,  in  action. 
Supported  by  its  contributions,  the  heralds  of  the  Cross  have  con- 
veyed the  glad  tidings  of  mercy  to  the  sinful  and  perishing  through- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  453 

out  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  State;  and  many  a  barren  spot 
has  been  made  to  blossom  as  the  rose.  And  not  only  to  our  own 
State,  but  to  Canada  and  to  many  a  western  settlement,  and  even 
to  distant  Burma,  it  has  become  a  fountain  of  blessings.  The  Sab- 
bath School  Union,  The  Home  Mission  Board,  The  Education 
Society  and  institutions  of  learning  have  been  the  natural  out- 
growth of  the  Convention.  During  these  years,  six  thousand,  four 
hundred  and  forty -nine  persons  have  been  received  into  the  mem- 
bership of  the  churches  by  baptism,  and  the  total  membership  has 
been  increased  from  six  thousand,  six  hundred  and  twenty -nine  in 
1825  to  ten  thousand,  six  hundred  and  eighty -two  in  1834.  The 
receipts  of  money  in  the  meantime  have  amounted  to  $13,657, 
making  a  yearly  average  of  $1 ,365.70.  And,  finally,  Nathan  Brown 
and  his  noble  wife,  have  been  sent  as  missionaries  to  Burma. " 

The  study  of  these  early  records  and  documents  reveals  the 
conception  the  founders  had  of  the  constituency  of  the  Convention 
and  of  the  method  of  accomplishing  its  mission.  The  Convention  i 
originally  was  a  federation  of  missionary  societies.  It  was  a  sort  \ 
of  missionary  trust;  all  the  little  scattered  missionary  societies  pool- 
ing their  contributions  in  a  central  treasury,  under  the  management 
of  trustees  appointed  by  their  representatives.  The  membership 
of  the  Convention  consisted  of  the  delegates  of  associations, 
missionary  and  education  societies,  and  contributing  individuals. 
The  representation  of  a  society  was  determined  by  the  size  of  its 
contribution.  Each  organization  was  entitled  to  one  delegate,  and 
if  its  contribution  amounted  to  $50,  it  could  send  another.  The 
influence  of  an  individual  was  determined  by  the  size  of  his  con- 
tribution. Five  dollars  annually  made  him  a  member  for  life,  and 
$50  at  one  time  made  him  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  for 
life! 

Churches  were  not  recognized  as  missionary  organizations  from 
which  delegates  could  be  sent  and  contributions  expected.  Or- 
dained ministers  were  not  members  by  virtue  of  their  office,  but 
by  virtue  of  their  appointment  by  some  society.  Within  the 
churches  there  were  missionary  societies,  and  female  mite  so- 
cieties, and  flock  societies,  and  Education  societies,  and  these 
were  the  units  of  the  Convention  and  the  base  of  its  supplies. 


454  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Accordingly,  the  first  work  of  the  Convention  was  an  effort 
to  multiply  these  societies.  The  lack  of  missionary  interest  was 
accounted  for  as  due  not  to  want  of  feeling,  but  chiefly  to  want  of 
system  and  cooperation  among  our  churches.  They  said,  "The 
practice  of  forming  distinct  societies  is  not  sufficiently  prevalent. 
To  remedy  this  evil  the  Convention  has  been  formed  in  this  State, 
and  it  is  earnestly  desired  that  in  each  and  all  our  churches,  socie- 
ties may  be  formed  speedily,  auxiliary  to  the  Convention  and  re- 
port without  delay." 

The  agents  appointed  in  1825,  addressed  themselves  vigorously 
to  this  task  of  organizing  societies,  and  within  a  year  seventy-five 
new  societies  were  reported.  The  work  of  organizing  and  reorgan- 
izing was  urgently  pressed.  Appeals  were  addressed  to  the  pastors 
to  engage  in  this  work.  Thus,  plainly  the  hopes  of  our  fathers 
were  based  upon  organizations  within  the  churches,  rather  than 
upon  the  churches  themselves.  It  is  interesting  to  follow  the 
amendments  to  the  constitution  and  note  the  gradual  change  in 
the  recognized  basis  of  the  State  Convention. 

By  an  amendment  in  1826,  a  contribution  of  $50  entitled  a 
society,  not  only  to  an  additional  delegate,  but  also  gave  it  the  right 
to  elect  a  trustee,  and  $25  annually  gave  a  contributing  individual 
the  right  to  a  place  on  the  Board  of  Trustees.  The  offer  of  a  life 
membership  in  the  Board  for  $50  was  withdrawn. 

In  1829,  the  Associations  were  permitted  to  send  each  five 
delegates  instead  of  one ;  and  the  churches  are  for  the  first  time  in- 
cluded with  the  societies,  as  entitled  to  delegates,  if  contributing 
to  the  funds  of  the  Convention. 

In  1832,  the  constituency  was  apparently  broadened  by  the 
general  provision,  that  it  consisted  of  delegates  from  Associations 
not  exceeding  five,  and  of  delegates  from  any  other  body  of  people, 
who  shall  contribute  $5  annually.  Additional  delegates  were  al- 
lowed for  additional  $50. 

In  1842,  ordained  Baptist  ministers  in  regular  standing,  resid- 
ing within  the  bounds  of  the  Associations,  were  entitled  to  member- 
ship; the  delegates  from  Associations  reduced  from  five  to  three 
each ;  one  delegate  was  received  from  each  church  and  each  auxiliary 
society,  and  the  members  of  the  Board  were  ex-officio  members. 


Hon.  William  W.  Stickney 

Governor  of  Vermont,  1900— 190''> 

President  of  Convention  Board 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  455 

The  amendment  of  1851  differs  little  from  that  of  1842,  except 
by  the  provision  that  any  member  of  a  Baptist  church  in  good 
standing  may  be  a  member  for  the  year,  by  the  payment  of  $5. 

The  latest  amendment,  that  of  1893,  reads,  "This  Convention 
shall  be  composed  of  ordained  Baptist  ministers  within  its  bounds 
in  regular  standing,  members  of  the  Board,  and  delegates  from  the 
churches  as  follows:  One  from  each  church  contributing  to  its 
funds;  any  church  contributing  not  less  than  fifty  cents  per  resident 
member  (as  reported  the  preceding  year)  shall  be  entitled  to  a 
second  delegate,  or  any  church,  contributing  $50,  or  more,  shall  be 
entitled  to  a  delegate  for  every  $50. "  | 

Thus  the  Convention  has  come  gradually  to  recognize  its^ 
ministry  and  its  churches,  as  the  sole  basis  of  its  membership,  and 
source  of  its  supplies. 

1835-1840 

For  the  next  six  years  the  Convention  prosecuted  its  work 
with  commendable  energy,  and  a  fair  degree  of  success,  but 
evidently  under  increasing  difficulties  and  discouragements. 
The  average  yearly  receipts  were  $2,083.  And  yet,  in  the  year 
1837,  the  receipts  fell  off  from  $2,600  of  the  year  before,  to  $1,140. 
This  unexpected  decrease  seemed  to  lay  upon  the  Board  the  neces- 
sity of  paying  only  fifty  cents  on  the  dollar  of  the  appropriations; 
and  they  had  to  borrow  the  funds  in  the  treasury,  belonging  to 
foreign  missions,  to  do  that.  The  year  1837,  was  one  of  great 
financial  disaster  throughout  the  country.  During  the  six  years 
there  were  employed,  on  an  average,  seven  and  one-half  mission- 
aries a  year,  in  Danville,  Barre  and  Fairfield  Associations,  and  in 
the  border  townships  of  Canada.  The  mission  in  Canada  became 
very  interesting.  In  1838,  six  missionaries  were  appointed  to  that 
field  alone,  five  of  them  labored  through  the  entire  year,  and  the 
sixth,  four  months.  They  reported  nine  churches  and  four  hun- 
dred members.  Edward  Mitchell  and  Jonathan  Baldwin  were 
especially  useful  through  this  period.  Mitchell  laboring  for  the 
most  part  in  Canada,  and  Baldwin  both  in  Canada  and  in  the 
northern  part  of  Vermont.     It  was  in  1838,  and  in  a  protracted 


456  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

meeting  in  St.  Armand,  held  by  this  venerated  man  of  God,  that 
Charles  Hibbard  was  brought  to  the  decision  to  give  himself  un- 
reservedly to  Christ.  Mr.  Baldwin's  labors  as  a  missionary  and 
in  protracted  meetings  were  greatly  blessed  for  many  years.  During 
this  period  there  were  baptized  into  the  churches  connected  with 
the  Convention,  four  thousand,  five  hundred  and  seventeen,  or  an 
average  per  year  of  seven  hundred  and  fifty-two  and  five-sixths. 
In  1837,  the  Convention,  sympathizing  with  the  feeling  which 
originated  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  recommended 
the  immediate  formation  of  a  Vermont  State  Bible  Society,  auxil- 
iary to  said  society.  An  adjournment  was  at  once  voted  to  give 
an  opportunity  for  the  organization  of  the  same.  Hon.  J.  D.  Farns- 
worth  was  chosen  president,  with  ten  vice-presidents,  secretary, 
treasurer,  and  executive  committee. 

A  full  account  of  this  organization  is  given  in  a  separate 
chapter. 

During  these  years  two  more  schools  of  higher  learning,  under 
the  control  of  the  denomination,  were  established  in  the  State,  in- 
dicating a  revival  of  educational  interest  of  much  promise — Black 
River  Academy,  founded  at  Ludlow  in  1835,  Leland  and  Gray 
Academy  founded  at  Townshend  about  the  same  time,  and  the 
Derby  Literary  Institute,  afterward  known  as  Derby  Academy, 
at  Derby  Center,  incorporated  in  1839. 

During  these  years  the  questions  of  temperance  and  slavery, 
specially  the  latter,  began  to  assume  increasing  prominence. 
Resolutions,  strongly  condemnatory  of  the  slave-holder,  as  well  as 
the  institution  of  slavery,  were  introduced  and  earnestly  discussed 
in  the  meetings  of  the  Convention. 

At  the  close  of  this  period  the  total  membership  in  our  churches 
was  eleven  thousand,  one  hundred  and  one,  being  an  increase  of 
four  hundred  and  nineteen  since  1834,  and  of  four  thousand,  seven 
hundred  and  seventy -two  since  the  formation  of  the  Convention. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  in  October,  1837,  it  was  voted 
"that  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  be  requested 
to  recognize  our  missionaries  laboring  in  Lower  Canada,  as  their 
own;  and  that  they  authorize  this  Convention  to  sustain  them  from 
funds  raised  by  the  Convention,  designated  for  Home  Missions,  and 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  457 

pay  over  the  surplus  to  the  parent  society.  This  course  was  not 
taken  for  the  purpose  of  rehnquishing  our  jurisdiction  over  the 
Canada  mission,  nor  because  we  have  discovered  any  diminution 
of  interest  on  the  part  of  the  churches  to  sustain  it;  but  solely  to 
avail  ourselves  of  funds  raised  within  our  borders,  for  what  is  called 
the  Home  Mission."  The  executive  committee  of  the  Home 
Mission  Society  in  reply  to  the  request  of  the  Board,  agreed  to 
comply  with  the  request.  "It  is  deemed  reasonable,"  they  say, 
"that  the  money  expended  out  of  Vermont  should  be  considered  as 
belonging  to  the  Home  Mission  Department.  By  this  arrange- 
ment it  is  understood  that  your  Board  are  still  to  have  the  oversight 
of  the  Canada  mission,  and  that  all  moneys,  raised  in  Vermont 
for  home  missions,  shall  be  appropriated  for  the  support  of  that 
mission;  the  surplus  to  be  transmitted  to  the  treasurer  of  the  parent 
society. " 

Under  this  new  arrangement  the  missionaries  were  expected  to 
report,  from  time  to  time,  to  the  Home  Mission  Society,  and  the 
treasurer  of  the  Convention  to  report  an  account  of  the  moneys 
paid  over  to  these  missionaries.  The  Convention  considered  itself 
pledged  for  the  support  of  this  mission,  but  were  not  able  to  long 
carry  the  burden,  and  the  mission  was  practically  transferred  to 
the  Home  Mission  Society, 

1841-1850 

In  the  sessions  of  1841,  the  discussions  were  animated,  if  not 
exciting.  Anti-slavery  was  the  subject  of  all-absorbing  interest. 
A  proposition  was  introduced  recommending  that  the  relation 
between  the  Convention  and  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission 
Society  and  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Societies  be  dis- 
solved, and  another  resolution  introduced  called  for  a  protest 
against  the  action  of  the  Triennial  Convention,  which  was  thought 
to  have  committed  that  body  in  favor  of  the  South  on  the  subject 
of  slavery.  Neither  of  these  resolutions  passed,  but  they  were 
fully  discussed.  A  remarkably  large  number  of  visitors  from  abroad 
were  present  and  took  part  in  these  discussions.  These  were 
Reuben  Winchell,  agent  of  the  American  Baptist  Mission  Society; 


458  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Horace  Seaver,  agent  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society; 
William  Crowell,  editor  of  the  Christian  Watchman;  E.  Thresher, 
secretarj^  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society;  Seth  Ewer, 
Sandy  Hill,  N.  Y.;  D.  S.  Lincoln,  Hubbardton;  Lewis  A.  Dunn, 
Granville,  N.  Y.;  J.  M.  Rockwood,  Mass.;  and  S.  Fletcher,  N.  Y. 

The  committee  on  the  state  of  religion  reported,  "There  has 
not  been  such  general  dearth  of  re^'ival  intelligence  through  the 
State  for  many  years.  Last  year  nine  hundred  and  sixty-four  bap- 
tisms, this  year  three  hundred  and  seventy-six.  Of  the  one  hun- 
dred and  thirty -five  churches  reported  last  year,  only  about  fifty 
have  retained  their  pastors.  This  is  one  of  the  most  unfavorable 
indications  in  the  history  of  the  Baptist  denomination  in  this 
State;  for  these  changes  have  taken  place  among  the  churches 
themselves.  But  few  pastors  have  been  called  out  of  the  State, 
or  to  larger  or  more  important  fields.  Under  the  unhealthful  ex- 
citement of  these  frequent  changes  the  churches  can  enjoy  but  a 
spurious  prosperity  at  best,  and  the  ministry  cannot  greatly  im- 
prove." 

Such  was  the  bankrupt  condition  of  the  treasury  that  the 
Board  felt  obliged  to  decline  nearly  all  applications  for  aid  to 
churches.  Three  only  received  any  help,  and  the  year  closed  with 
a  debt. 

In  184:2,  little  was  done  save  to  render  $50  each  to  the  churches 
in  Burlington,  Brattleboro,  and  Middlebury.  The  Burlington 
church,  under  the  lead  of  Rev.  H.  Safford,  was  building  a  meeting- 
house. The  Brattleboro  church  was  thought  to  be  able,  under 
favorable  circumstances,  to  raise  $300,  and  needed  the  fostering 
care  of  the  Convention. 

Brother  Safford,  of  Burhngton,  had  expressed  the  hope  "that 
Baptists  in  Vermont,  who  have  means,  will  not  forget  the  Burling- 
ton church,  and  that  the  Board  of  the  Convention  will  increase 
their  appropriation  for  a  few  years,  when  they  hope  to  go  alone,  and 
do  something  to  help  others," — a  hope  gloriouslj^  fulfilled. 

In  1843,  no  missionaries  were  employed,  and  no  appropria- 
tions made.  Even  the  Canadian  mission  was  cut  off.  This  year 
the  Convention  received  its  first  legacy.  By  the  will  of  John  Rog- 
ers, a  legacy  was  given  the  Convention,  which  at  that  time  was 


HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  459 

thought  to  be  about  $750,  but  fell  somewhat  short  of  that  amount. 
This  was  the  beginning  of  the  permanent  fund. 

There  were  no  signs  of  improvement  in  1844.  Many  churches 
had  been  sadly  injured  by  the  recent  extravagant  notions  of  the 
Second  Advent  of  Christ. 

On  its  twentieth  anniversary,  the  Convention  was  still  in 
debt  and  practically  disabled  in  most  lines  of  work. 

In  1843,  the  eighteenth  annual  report  of  the  Board  began 
with  this  melancholy  record:  "We  have  been  constrained  for  the 
want  of  funds  the  past  year,  to  almost  suspend  our  missionary 
operations.  ^^  e  have  been  obliged,  not  only  to  withdraw  aid  from 
Canada,  l>ut  to  turn  away  from  waste  places  within  our  own 
borders." 

During  the  next  five  years  little  was  attempted  or  accom- 
plished. The  Convention  was,  however,  awakening  to  its  condi- 
tion and  was  studying  the  causes  and  seeking  the  remedy. 

In  1848,  a  special  committee,  appointed  to  suggest  the  causes 
and  ascertain  the  remedy  for  the  decline  of  the  Convention,  re- 
ported as  follows : 

"I.  Causes.  We  consider  a  worldly  spirit,  sapping  the  foun- 
dations of  deep  piety  and  benevolence,  as  the  main  cause.  The 
prejudice  against  State  agencies,  on  account  of  the  supposed  use- 
less expenditure  for  their  support,  as  a  second  cause. 

"Giving  up  the  prosperous  Canada  mission,  and  the  missions 
among  the  Catholics  in  northern  Vermont  we  consider  a  cause. 

"Want  of  full  published  reports  of  the  success  attending  the 
aid  afforded  several  of  our  once  feeble,  but  now  flourishing  churches, 
we  consider  among  the  causes. 

"Did  the  churches  generally  know  the  value  of  their  aid 
formerly  afforded  to  several  feeble  churches,  they  would  be  more 
ready  to  continue  their  benevolence. 

"II.  The  Remedy.  We  consider  that  the  appointment  of 
one  or  more  missionary  agents,  to  take  the  oversight  of  the  whole 
field — its  wants,  and  its  pecuniary  means — is  one  of  the  first  things 
to  be  done. 

"We  consider  that  definite  fields  of  labor  should  be  hunted 
up  and  pointed  out  to  the  churches,  as  objects  of  specific  effort; 


460  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

such  as  used  to  be  the  Canada  mission,  and  as  would  be  the  Catho- 
lic population  on  the  northern  border  of  our  State;  such  towns  as 
once  were  Burlington,  Rutland,  Brattleboro,  and  places  where 
former  assistance  has  been  rendered  by  your  body. 

"Feeble  churches  should  be  visited  by  the  missionary  agents, 
ascertaining  their  ability,  stirring  them  up  to  duty  and  aiding  them 
in  obtaining  pastors  to  supply  the  churches  according  to  their 
ability  of  support. 

"Pastors  raising  funds  for  benevolent  purposes  should  en- 
deavor, under  existing  circumstances,  to  see,  especially,  that  the 
wants  of  the  Convention  be  supplied.  While  we  would  not  wash 
to  have  any  cause  of  bene^'olence  neglected,  still  we  would  have  the 
importance  of  making  first  efforts,  at  least  the  present  year,  for  the 
State  Convention." 

A.  iVngier  was  chairman  of  this  committee. 

Again,  in  1850,  Mr.  Angier  expressed  to  the  Board  his  con- 
viction, that  if  the  Board,  for  the  ensuing  year,  should  adopt  effi- 
cient measures  for  the  supply  of  the  destitute  in  our  own  State,  the 
churches  would  cheerfully  devote  the  major  part  of  their  contribu- 
tions to  the  treasury  of  the  Convention. 

During  the  years  1840-1849,  inclusive,  twenty-nine  churches 
became  extinct.  These  were  Dorset,  Craftsbury,  Burke,  Shafts- 
bury  2d,  in  1840;  Franklin,  1841;  Barre,  1842;  Arlington,  Roches- 
ter 2d,  West  Windsor,  Windsor,  1843;  Richmond, — the  birthplace 
of  the  Richmond  Association,  1844;  Ferrisburg,  Fletcher,  Reads- 
boro,  Randolph,  West  TowTishend,  Williamstown,  Winhall,  1845; 
Sterling,  Stowe,  1846;  Charleston,  Stockb ridge,  Stratton,  1847; 
Hartford,  Pawlet  2d,  Union  Village,  1848;  Milton,  West  Roxbury 
and  Waitsfield,  1849. 

Sunday  schools,  ministerial  education,  and,  in  short,  all  our 
State  benevolent  work  seemed  struck  with  spiritual  paralysis. 
And  yet  one  or  two  items  cast  a  glittering  ray  into  the  gloom.  One 
was  the  French  mission  at  Enosburg,  which,  though  it  had  its 
lights  and  shades,  was  generally  very  prosperous  from  the  time  it 
was  taken  up  in  1843,  till  at  the  close  of  this  period.  The  church 
numbered  one  hundred  and  se^'en  members,  the  most  of  whom  were 
won  from  the  thrall  of  Romanism.     One  new  church,  the  Hyde- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  461 

ville,  was  organized  this  year  under  promising  auspices,  and  aided 
by  the  Convention.  The  Brattleboro  church,  after  nine  years  of 
fostering  care,  in  which  time  it  received  from  the  Convention 
about  $350,  became  self-supporting,  in  1849,  and  it  is  important 
to  notice  that,  while  thus  fostered,  it  contributed  during  those 
nine  years,  to  different  benevolent  objects,  between  $600  and  $700 
Thus,  "the  bread  cast  upon  the  waters  was  found  after  (not)  many 
days." 

It  is  but  just,  also,  to  the  churches  of  this  period  to  state  that 
they  were  not  utterly  dead  to  the  claims  of  the  perishing  world. 
They  took  a  far  deeper  interest  in  foreign  missions  than  in  their 
own  State  or  home  mission  work.  During  the  last  four  years  of 
this  time,  they  contributed  $7,966.57,  or  about  $2,000  a  year  to  the 
Missionary  Union. 

Some  of  the  more  prominent  causes  of  this  remarkable  de- 
clension, noted  by  Mr.  Hibbard,  are  as  follows : 

First,  is  Millerism,  which  from  1841  to  1843  swept  like  a  deso- 
lating fire  over  a  considerable  section  of  our  State.  It  was  specially 
destructive  in  Addison  County  and  Lamoille  Association.  At  the 
outset,  it  led  many  to  scoff  and  turn  away  in  disgust  from  all  con- 
sideration of  religion,  but  as  the  time  set  drew  nigh,  there  was  in- 
tense excitement,  and  multitudes  from  sheer  fear,  it  is  believed, 
professed  to  be  converted  and  were  baptized.  In  that  year,  one 
thousand,  two  hundred  and  fifty -five  united  with  our  churches  by 
baptism,  while  the  year  before,  only  four  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  did  so;  and  the  year  after,  one  hundred  and  fifty-four;  and 
still  a  year  later,  one  hundred  and  one.  But  if  many  had  scoffed 
at  religion  during  the  excitement,  very  many  more  did  so  after  the 
set  time  had  passed,  and  became  utter  infidels.  And  while  spurious 
converts  quickly  fell  away,  thousands  of  true  christians,  who  had 
more  or  less  strongly  entertained  the  belief,  were  paralyzed  by 
the  shock  given  to  their  faith  in  God's  word.  It  took  years  for 
some  of  the  most  excellent  of  them  to  regain  their  lost  ground,  and 
many  of  them  died  under  a  cloud. 

Second.  Following  in  the  track  of  this  desolating  scourge,  or 
rather  sweeping  on  with  it,  came  a  wave  of  infidelity, — often  called 
Murrayism, — from  the  fact  that  Orison  S.  Murray  of  Brandon,  was 


462  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  head  and  front  of  it.  He  was  a  Baptist,  and  a  man  of  great 
energy  and  determination  of  character,  and  had  for  some  years 
been  editor  and  proprietor  of  the  Vermont  Telegraph,  a  Baptist 
paper  widely  taken  by  our  people.  Becoming  an  infidel,  he  began 
at  first  covertly,  but  afterward  openly  and  boldly,  to  disseminate 
his  pernicious  views,  through  the  columns  of  that  journal.  When 
the  paper  was  discarded  by  the  denomination  and  the  "  Vermont 
Baptist  Journal"  was  started  in  Middlebury,  in  1842,  (this  paper 
was  pu})lished  only  a  few  months)  to  counteract  its  infidelity,  he 
took  the  lecture  field.  Being  a  strong,  outspoken  opponent  of 
slavery,  he  drew  large  audiences,  into  whose  ears,  willing  or  un- 
willing, he  was  sure  to  pour  his  infidel  sentiments.  The  poison 
was  widespread,  and  the  evil  results  far  greater  and  more  lasting 
than  those  of  Millerism. 

Third.  The  anti-slavery  discussions  were  a  third  element  in 
explanation  of  this  declension.  Baptist  principles  demanded 
equal  liberty  for  all.  It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  our  people 
early  took  strong  anti-slavery  ground.  This  they  did  as  far  back 
as  1834,  but  then,  trampling  on  their  own  principles,  many  were 
not  willing  to  allow  others  the  lil)erty  of  seeking  its  overthrow  in 
whatever  way  might  seem  to  them  the  most  promising,  and  so  the 
discussion  grew  hot, — nay,  almost  fierce.  It  was  brought  into  the 
Convention  and  all  public  meetings  consuming  time,  dividing  coun- 
cils, impugning  motives,  alienating  brethren.  The  Vermont  Tele- 
graph was  full  of  it,  and  in  1842,  was  formed  the  Vermont  Anti- 
Slavery  Society.  Now,  there  is  no  doubt  but  that  God  over-ruled 
this  discussion  for  good.  It  did  its  part  in  bringing  to  pass  President 
Lincoln's  ever  memorable  proclamation  of  liberty  to  the  slaves, 
in  1862,  but  turning  away  men's  minds,  as  it  did  so  largely,  from  the 
subject  of  personal  religion,  it  just  as  certainly  did  much  to  bring 
on  the  great  declension  of  this  period. 

Fourth.  But  a  cause,  greater  than  any  one — nay,  than  all 
these,  because  it  left  an  open  door  to  them  all — was  the  ineffi- 
cient ministry.  One  of  the  most  keen  and  accurate  obser^•ers  in 
the  State  referring  to  that  period,  wrote:  "We  had  no  adequate 
supply  of  even  partially  trained  men,  in  the  ministry,  to  meet  the 
evils  that  came  in  like  a  flood. "     Here  we  have  in  a  sentence  the 


HISTORY    OF   THE    BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT  463 

secret  of  the  disaster.  Beyond  a  dozen  or  fifteen  names,  we  had  no 
well-trained  men  in  the  ministry — men  fitted  by  mental  discipline 
and  generous  culture  to  meet  the  disseminators  of  error,  hand  to 
hand,  foot  to  foot,  and  turn  back  the  tide  of  evil;  or  yet,  as  in  the 
anti-slavery  discussions,  to  stem  the  torrent  of  misguided  enthus- 
iasm. Grant,  Patterson,  Church,  Conant,  Hotchkiss,  Hodge, 
Smith,  and  Ide,  and  others  like  them,  each  a  host  in  himself,  had 
left  the  State. 

We  find  that  against  the  churches  where  such  men  were  re- 
tained, the  storm  surged  in  vain. 

Fifth.  A  fifth  adverse  influence,  and  one  which,  to  a  certain 
extent,  lay  still  back  of  the  last  mentioned,  was  a  worldly  spirit, 
or  a  love  of  the  wealth  and  honors  and  pleasures  of  this  world.  It 
had  grown  strong  with  the  greatly  increased  prosperity  of  the  coun- 
try. It  indisposed  men  to  take  the  sacrifices  needful  to  the  pro- 
curing of  an  educated  ministry,  or  to  support,  and  so  retain,  such 
as  had  providentially  come  to  them. 

It  took  advantage,  moreover,  of  the  early  prejudice  against  a 
learned  ministry,  and  so  refused  to  support  the  men,  who,  if  re- 
tained, would  have  been  the  salvation  of  the  churches.  Christians 
hoarded  their  wealth,  or  spent  it  upon  their  lusts,  which,  if  poured 
into  the  treasuries  of  the  churches  and  the  Convention,  would  have 
saved  the  State  from  the  terrible  calamity  of  this  period,  and  caused 
many  a  desert  place  to  bud  and  blossom  with  beauty.  If  the  last 
was  the  secret  of  the  disaster,  this  was  the  bottom  element.  Other 
minor  causes  might  be  mentioned,  but  such  of  them  as  were  pe- 
culiar to  this  period  are  substantially  covered  by  the  above. 

The  anti-slavery  discussions  were  so  animated  in  this  period, 
and  the  action  of  the  Convention  on  the  subject  so  distinctly  his- 
torical, that  the  full  account  of  it  may  well  be  included  here. 

Slavery 

In  1837,  a  new  committee  was  appointed, — a  "Committee  on 
Slavery,"— A.  Sabin,  and  O.  S.  Murray.  The  report  of  this  com- 
mittee was  adopted  and  ordered  printed  in  an  extra  of  the  Vermont 
Telegraph,  signed  by  the  chairman  and  clerk  of  the  Convention, 


464  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  sent  to  all  the  Baptist  churches  in  the  southern  states  of  the 
American  Union, 

The  next  year,  1838,  Wm.  Guilford  and  W.  Marsh,  were  on 
this  committee.  This  was  their  brief  report,  unanimously  adopted : 
"Resolved.  1.  As  the  ancient  prophets  were  sent  to  warn  the 
kings  and  nations,  and  remonstrate  with  them  for  their  sins,  the 
sons  of  the  prophets  ought  to  speak  in  the  ears  of  this  nation,  re- 
proving, exhorting,  and  remonstrating  for  the  sin  of  slavery. 
Resolved.  2.  That  the  historj'  of  the  last  six  years  demonstrate 
that  God  has  been  arousing  the  minds,  not  only  of  this  nation,  but  of 
all  Christendom,  to  the  injustice  and  cruelty,  and  sin  of  slavery; 
and  we  cannot  be  workers  together  with  God  unless  we  throw  our 
influence  into  the  scale  of  humanity  and  justice. " 

The  extent  to  which  the  subject  of  moral  reforms  was  agitating 
the  minds  of  the  delegates  to  the  Conventions  is  indicated  by  a 
resolution  which,  though  tabled,  had  some  grounds,  evidently,  for 
its  introduction. 

"  Whearas,  the  introduction  into  this  Convention  of  the  various 
subjects  of  moral  reform,  such  as  Temperance,  Anti-Slavery, 
Peace,  etc.,  seems  to  divert  attention  and  retard  the  business  con- 
stitutionally before  this  body,  therefore.  Resolved,  that  in  future 
we  vacate  the  afternoon  of  Thursday  to  give  room  for  those  who 
may  wish  to  discuss  the  several  subjects  of  moral  reform  now 
agitating  the  community." 

In  1840,  the  committee  of  arrangements  of  the  Convention, 
assigned  Wednesday  evening  to  the  friends  of  the  slave,  at  which 
time  most  of  the  members  of  the  Convention  assembled,  and  many 
from  the  village  and  vicinity  of  Bristol.  It  was  a  full  meeting, 
indicating  deep  interest  in  the  subject. 

Brother  Stephen  Hutchins,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Bennington,  was  appointed  chairman,  and  O.  S.  Murray,  clerk. 
Moses  Flint,  of  Charlotte,  led  in  prayer.  All  were  invited  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  discussion.  The  following  resolutions  were  intro- 
duced and  read :  "  Resolved,  that  slavery  is  a  violation  of  human 
rights,  a  sin  against  God,  and,  as  connected  \\'ith  the  christian 
church,  a  scandal  on  the  Christian  religion. 

"Resolved,  that  the  time  has  fully  come  to  withdraw  christian 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  465 

fellowship  from  those  who  practice  this  sin,  or  apologize  for  it,  or 
in  any  way  countenance  it. 

"Resolved,  that  robbery  for  offering  is  an  abomination  to 
God.  Resolved,  therefore,  that  in  future  we  will  seek  channels 
for  our  contributions  to  the  cause  of  benevolence,  uncontaminated 
by  the  offerings  of  those  who  extort  without  wages. " 

The  first  resolution  was  adopted  unanimously  after  thorough 
discussion. 

The  second  gave  rise  to  an  animated  discussion  of  great 
length.  It  was  manifest  that  a  large  majority  were  at  any  time 
ready  to  adopt  it.  But  there  were  a  few  who  thought  that  the 
time  had  not  yet  "fully  come."  Most  of  this  class  appeared  to 
think  that  the  time  would  come,  but  they  confessed  that  they  had 
not  yet  discharged  the  duty  which  they  felt  to  be  incumbent  on 
themselves,  preparatory  to  such  a  step.  The  number  was  small 
who  did  not  look  to  action  of  this  kind,  and  in  this  degree,  sooner 
or  later.  At  length  the  following  substitute  was  offered  and  adopt- 
ed by  a  large  majority:  ''Resolved,  that  the  time  has  fully  come, 
when  we  can  no  longer  invite  slave  holders,  either  to  our  pulpits,  or 
our  communion  tables,  or  in  any  other  way  countenance  the  sin 
of  slavery." 

By  this  time  it  was  near  eleven  o'clock  and  the  meeting  ad- 
journed without  taking  up  the  third  and  fourth  resolutions,  hoping 
there  might  be  another  opportunity  to  give  further  attention  to  the 
subject,  before  the  close  of  the  Convention,  but  no  opportunity  was 
found. 

It  is  evident  that  the  Convention  was  divided  between  the 
more  radical  members  and  the  more  conservative.  In  1841,  a 
resolution  was  introduced  by  Brother  J.  A.  Beeman.  ''Resolved, 
that  our  connection  with  the  American  Board  of  Missions  for 
Foreign  Missions  and  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  So- 
ciety, as  an  auxiliary,  be  dissolved."  This  resolution,  after  long 
discussion,  was  divided,  and  the  last  item  taken  first  in  order.  In 
the  afternoon,  after  another  long  discussion,  it  was  rejected  by  a 
vote  of  seventeen  affirmative  and  forty  negative.  Another  resolu- 
tion was  introduced  at  the  same  session  by  Rev.  H.  D.  Hodge: 
"Resolved,    that  we  view  the  doings  of  the  Triennial  Convention, 


466  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

at  Baltimore,  in  which,  in  our  opinion,  the  Convention  became  com- 
mitted in  favor  of  the  South  on  the  subject  of  Slavery,  as  a  breach 
of  the  neutral  ground  which  the  Convention  as  such  has  heretofore 
occupied,  and  that  we  hereby  enter  our  protest  against  it. " 

This  resolution,  on  motion  of  D.  Haskell,  was  indefinitely 
postponed. 

October  13,  1842,  the  Vermont  Baptist  Anti-Slavery  Society 
was  organized  at  Ludlow.  A  large  number  of  the  brethren  as- 
sembled in  the  Baptist  meeting-house  to  deliberate  upon  their  duty 
to  the  colored  population  of  our  country,  enslaved  and  free,  and 
the  best  means  of  discharging  that  duty.  Brother  Wm.  Warner, 
of  Andover,  was  chosen  chairman,  and  J.  W.  Sawyer,  of  Shafts- 
bury,  clerk.  Brethren  B.  Brierly,  T.  H.  Lunt,  J.  Ide,  T.  Galusha, 
and  A.  Beecher,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  report  a  declara- 
tion of  sentiments  and  a  constitution.  The  following  declaration 
of  sentiments  was  adopted : 

"We,  the  undersigned  ministers  and  members  of  the  Baptist 
churches  in  Vermont  and  vicinity,  adopt  the  following  sentiments: 

"1.  That  God,  as  the  moral  governor  of  the  universe,  justly 
claims  the  right  to  give  us  such  laws  as  He,  in  infinite  wasdom,  sees 
fit. 

"2.  That  God,  in  His  word,  has  given  laws  for  the  regulation 
of  our  intercourse  ^\-ith  Himself,  and  with  our  fellowmen. 

"3.  That  in  giving  us  these  laws.  He  has  clearly  defined  man 's 
relation  to  his  fellowman,  and  the  duties  growing  out  of  this  rela- 
tion. 

"4.  That  this  relation  and  these  duties,  as  revealed  to  us  in 
the  Bible,  render,  in  our  view,  the  chattel  principle  of  slavery  a 
fearful  infringement  of  human  rights,  and  no  small  violation  of 
the  law  of  God. 

"5.  That  such  being  the  facts  we  conceive  that  under  no 
circumstances,  whatever,  can  man  hold  the  right  of  property  in  his 
fellow  man,  as  he  may  in  the  soil  or  its  products. 

"6.  That  with  these  views  we  cannot  believe  that  slavery,  in 
the  modem  acceptation  of  the  term,  ever  did  exist,  or  ever  will  exist, 
by  divine  right  or  with  divine  sanction, 

"7.     That  if  slavery  did  exist  anciently,  by  divine  authority, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  467 

the  American  slave-holder  can  claim  no  such  authority,  the  former 
system  can  be  no  justification  or  palliation  of  the  latter. 

"  8.  That  American  slavery  is  a  fearful  violation  of  the  divine 
law,  a  gross  outrage  upon  human  rights,  a  plague  spot  upon  the 
purity  of  the  American  church,  a  stain  and  reproach  upon  our  na- 
tional character,  exposing  our  professions  of  religion  and  liberty  to 
the  contempt  of  the  civil  and  christian  world,  endangering  the 
purity  and  safety  of  the  church,  and  the  permanency  of  our  civil 
institutions,  and  worse  than  all,  exposing  us,  as  a  church,  and  a 
nation,  to  the  rebukes  and  judgments  of  God. 

"9.  That  we  are  called  upon  by  our  duty  to  man,  by  our  pro- 
fessions of  attachment  to  liberty  and  religion,  by  our  piety  and  our 
patriotism,  to  bring  all  the  influence  that  we  possess  to  redeem  the 
nation  and  the  church  from  its  moral  and  political  evil. 

"  10.  Believing  that  our  relation  to  the  Baptists  of  the  South 
and  the  mutual  relation  of  both  them  and  us  to  the  cause  of  Christ 
gives  us  the  right,  and  makes  it  our  imperative  duty  to  remon- 
strate with  those  of  them  who  are  directly  or  indirectly  fostering 
this  sin,  and  that  we  may  labor  more  effectively,  we  agree  to  form 
ourselves  into  a  society,  and  to  be  governed  by  the  following 
Constitution:" 

The  object  of  this  society  was,  "To  aid  in  forming  correct 
abolition  sentiment  in  our  churches  at  home  and  among  the  church- 
es of  the  South,  and  to  exert  our  influence  for  the  elevation  of  the 
free  colored  population  of  our  country. 

"  It  shall  endeavor  to  accomplish  these  objects  by  resolutions 
and  addresses  at  the  annual  meetings,  by  the  circulation  of  informa- 
tion among  the  churches  at  home,  and  by  the  opening  and  conduct- 
ing, by  means  of  committees  appointed  for  this  purpose  or  by  its 
corresponding  secretary,  a  correspondence  with  the  Baptist  church- 
es and  Associations  in  the  South,  and  with  such  individuals  at  the 
South  as  may  be  thought  desirable. " 

The  oflScers  chosen  were,  for  president,  W.  M.  Pingry,  of 
Perkinsville ;  vice  presidents,  M.  Bruce,  V.  Church,  A.  Angier, 
F.  Blood,  T.  Galusha,  J.  Conant,  R.  Fletcher,  L.  Bottom.  Each 
of  these  represented  an  Association  to  which  he  belonged.  Record- 
ing secretary,  J.  W.  Sawyer;  corresponding  secretary,  B.  Brierly; 


468  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

treasurer,  L.  H.  Cheney.  Brethren  Brierly,  Sawyer  and  Angier 
were  appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an  address  to  the  churches 
of  the  South,  stating  our  grievances,  and  entreating  them  to  break 
every  yoke  and  let  the  oppressed  go  free.  The  society  recom- 
mended to  the  churches  to  hold  a  concert  of  prayer  for  the  Slave, 
in  connection  with  the  monthly  concert  of  prayer  for  missions, 
on  the  first  Sabbath  evening  of  each  month. 

At  the  second  meeting  of  the  society  resolutions  similar  to 
those  referred  to  were  passed  and  another  address  prepared  to  be 
sent  to  the  churches  in  the  south. 

In  1854,  the  society  expressed  its  approval  of  the  action  of  the 
Foreign  Missionary  Board  in  the  following  resolution : 

"Resolved,  that  while  our  acting  Board  of  Foreign  Missions 
is  bound  to  confine  its  attention  to  the  one  great  object  for  which  it 
was  appointed,  we  hear  with  pleasure  that  several  of  its  members, 
in  their  individual  capacity,  are  decidedly  opposed  to  slavery,  and 
that  as  an  associated  body  they  have  deliberately  and  fully  de- 
termined that  they  can  never  be  a  party  to  any  arrangement  which 
would  imply  approbation  of  slavery.  Resolved,  that  as  by 
righteously  refusing  to  appoint  a  slave-holder  as  a  missionary,  they 
have  incurred  the  displeasure  of  the  slave-holders  at  the  South,  and 
the  consequent  loss  of  their  cooperation  and  pecuniary  aid,  it 
behooves  us,  as  anti-slavery  Baptists,  and  as  the  Friends  of  Foreign 
Missions,  to  tender  to  the  acting  Board  our  warmest  sympathies, 
and  to  offer  on  their  behalf  our  fervent  prayers,  and  to  diminish 
their  pecuniary  embarrassment  by  contributing  liberally  to  their 
funds." 

There  are  no  further  records  of  this  society  in  connection  with 
the  minutes  of  the  Convention. 

In  1848,  the  Convention,  by  resolution,  expressed  its  pleasure 
that  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  American  Baptist  Foreign 
Missionary  Union,  in  April  last,  speedily  and  unanimously  refused 
a  legacy  of  about  six  hundred  dollars,  when  the  money  offered  them 
was  a  part  of  the  proceeds  of  the  testator's  slaves. 

A  final  resolution,  expressive  of  its  stand  relating  to  slavery, 
until  the  outbreak  of  the  Civil  war,  was  passed  in  1855:  "Whereas, 
this    Convention  has,  in  various  ways,  and  at  various  times,  ex- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  469 

pressed  its  convictions  of  the  wickedness  of  the  whole  system  of 
slavery,  and  its  abhorrence  of  it,  therefore.  Resolved,  that  we 
deem  it  unreasonable  and  improper  for  any  persons  or  person  to 
demand  any  reiteration  of  views  on  this  subject.  We  do,  however, 
now  re-affirm  our  past  declarations,  that  we  do  not  in  any  manner 
sanction  that  iniquitous  system  and  have  no  brotherhood  or  fellow- 
ship with  its  supporters  or  advocates. " 

In  1854,  a  resolution  was  introduced  by  T.  H.  Archibald  and 
adopted  by  unanimous  vote : 

"Resolved,  that  we  deem  it  our  duty  to  express  our  deep 
abhorrence  of  the  late  act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  known 
as  the  Nebraska  Bill,  opening  the  extensive  territories  embraced  in 
its  provisions,  to  the  enormities  and  horrors  of  slavery,  as  being 
alike  a  violation  of  plighted  national  faith,  an  outrage  upon  the 
principles  of  human  liberty,  and  a  disregard  of  the  Divine  law,  which 
demands  a  stern  rebuke  of  every  friend  of  humanity  and  of  God. " 

In  1859,  immediately  after  resolutions  commending  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society,  a  resolution  was  introduced 
by  T.H.Archibald: 

"Resolved,  that  in  the  judgment  of  this  Convention,  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society  ought  to  bear  the  same  out- 
spoken testimony  against  the  system  of  American  slavery  which  it 
has  already  recorded  against  intemperance,  Sabbath  breaking,  and 
other  kindred  sins. 

"Resolved,  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  whose 
duty  it  shall  be  to  present  the  above  resolution  to  the  American 
Baptist  Publication  Society  and  urge  action  in  consistency  with  the 
opinion  therein  expressed." 

T.  H.  Archibald,  R.  Fletcher,  and  I.  Person  were  appointed. 

The  following  year  the  report  of  this  committee  was  recom- 
mitted to  the  same  committee,  awaiting  the  final  action  of  the 
society  on  that  subject. 

Before  the  next  session  the  Society  had  taken  the  stand  desired, 
and  upon  the  motion  of  T.  H.  Archibald  the  following  resolution 
was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  that  we  hail  with  peculiar  gratification  the  action 
of  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society    at  its  last  annual 


470  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

meeting  affirming  its  duty  to  publish  on  the  sin  of  American  Slavery 
as  on  other  sins;  that  we  pledge  our  hearty  cooperation  w-ith  them 
in  their  new  position  on  this  subject,  and  respectfully,  yet  earnestly, 
urge  upon  the  Board  an  early  compliance  with  the  practical  in- 
structions of  the  Society. " 

1851-1860 

With  this  decade  a  brighter  period  opened,  but  with  no  sudden 
outburst  of  light.  Pursuant  to  the  policy  which  the  Board  be- 
lieved had  been  wisely  prescribed,  they  set  themselves  to  the  task 
before  them.  The  closing  action  of  the  Convention  in  1850  was 
a  vote  which  was  prophetic  of  good  things.  On  motion  of  Brother 
N.  W.  Smith,  "  Resolved,  that  we  go  home  and  go  to  work  and  raise 
$2,000  for  the  Convention. "  More  than  $400  were  subscribed  on 
the  spot. 

The  Board,  confidently  anticipating  that  God  would  stir  up 
the  people  to  increased  liberality,  did  not  feel  at  liberty  to  turn  a 
deaf  ear  to  the  urgent  entreaties  of  need,  and  every  application  was 
carefully  considered  and  none  wholly  denied.  God  honored  their 
faith,  giving  them  an  income  of  $1,845 — against  $513  of  the  year 
before.  Brother  M.  G.  Hodge  served  three  months  as  agent, 
soliciting  funds,  and  Ahira  Jones  was  secured  for  the  whole  of  the 
ensuing  year  as  agent  of  the  Convention. 

In  1851, we  find  the  first  record  of  aid  extended  by  the  CouAen- 
tion  to  the  Grande  Ligne  Mission.  Two  incidents  made  the  ses- 
sion of  1852  memorable.  In  the  afternoon  session  of  the  first  day 
the  business  was  suspended  to  see  if  the  sum  of  $2,000  could  be 
raised,  to  complete  the  endowment  of  the  New  Hampton  Institute, 
to  be  transferred  to  Fairfax.  The  effort  was  successful,  and  a 
prayer  of  thanksgiving  was  ottered. 

The  next  morning  Rev.  Moses  H.  Bixby,  who,  with  his  wife, 
was  about  to  sail  for  Burma,  made  a  farewell  address,  and  Rev. 
L.  A.  Dunn,  in  behalf  of  the  Convention,  gave  the  partmg  hand, 
and  Brother  H.  I.  Parker  commended  to  the  kind  guardianship 
of  the  God  of  missions.  Dr.  Bright  then  addressed  the  Conven- 
tion on  the  subject  of  foreign  missions. 


Howard  Crane 

Treasurer  of  Convention  since  190''2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  471 

A  similar  service  made  impressive  the  session  of  the  Conven- 
tion at  Brandon,  in  1853,  when  Rev.  M.  J.  Knowlton  who,  ■VN'ith 
his  wife,  was  under  appointment  of  the  American  Baptist  Mis- 
sionary Union,  addressed  the  Convention,  and  prayer  was  offered 
in  their  behalf,  led  by  I.  Person,  after  which  Alvah  Sabin  addressed 
them  and,  in  behalf  of  the  Convention,  gave  them  the  parting 
hand.  The  following  December  they  sailed  for  Ningpo,  China, 
and  began  their  service  of  twenty  years,  which  made  their  names 
dear  to  all  American  Baptists,  and  gave  them  a  lasting  monument 
in  the  China  mission. 

The  year  1853  was  made  memorable  by  the  removal  of  the 
New  Hampton  Academical  and  Theological  Institution  from  New 
Hampton,  N.  H.,  to  Fairfax,  Vt.  The  legal  transfer  had  been 
effected  in  November,  1852,  but  it  was  not  until  the  summer  of  this 
year  that  che  removal  of  the  school  was  fully  effected.  The  open- 
ing of  this  institution  in  Fairfax,  with  its  able  faculty  and  full 
classes,  was  a  happy  augury  for  our  denomination  in  Vermont. 
It  did  very  much  to  change  the  ebbing  tide  of  disaster  into  the  flood 
tide  of  success. 

During  the  remainder  of  this  decade  the  Convention  pros- 
ecuted its  work  with  steadily  increasing  success.  A  review  of  the 
whole  period  shows  on  an  average  ten  churches  aided  per  year, 
against  three  the  last  decade.  The  Bellows  Falls  church  was 
formed  in  185-1.  The  Burlington  church,  which  had  been  steadily 
aided  by  the  Convention  since  1828,  in  1859,  with  grateful  thanks, 
declined  further  assistance.  Many  a  time  this  little  church  had 
been  ready  to  die;  and  many  times  the  Board  sent  a  committee 
to  see  if  it  was  not  better  to  let  it  die;  but  in  every  instance  a  little 
handful  of  devoted  christians,  for  the  most  part  women,  plead  for 
assistance  with  a  faith  that  could  not  be  denied.  Many  and 
l)right  will  be  their  jewels  in  the  day  of  the  Lord  Jesus. 

There  were  baptized  during  these  ten  years,  three  thousand, 
three  hundred;  and  the  total  membership  was  eight  thousand,  two 
hunded  and  sixty -three,  against  seven  thousand,  six  hundred  and 
fifty -three  in  1850;  or  a  gain  of  six  hundred  and  ten,  against  a  loss 
of  three  thousand,  four  hundred  and  forty-eight  during  the  previous 
ten  years.     The  advance  will  be  still  more  apparent  when  we  com- 


472  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

pare  the  receipts  of  the  treasury  for  the  two  periods — $23,351, 
against  $5,133,  being  a  gain  of  $18,218.  In  both  cases  only  funds 
raised  for  the  purposes  of  the  Convention  are  included.  "Besides, 
it  is  to  be  borne  in  mind,"  says  the  report  for  1860,  "that  during 
said  period  there  has  been  raised  among  the  churches  comprising 
this  Convention  a  subscription  of  more  than  $2,000  for  an  endow- 
ment of  a  Theological  Institution  among  us. " 

Another  event  marks  this  period.  In  the  year  1851,  an  Act 
of  Incorporation  was  passed  granting  a  charter  to  the  Convention, 
which,  after  a  slight  amendment  the  following  year,  was  accepted, 
and  the  Convention  thus  incorporated  entered  upon  a  new  era  in 
its  history,  as  the  guardian  and  manager  of  trust  funds  sacredly 
consecrated  to  its  work.  That  expectations  of  the  Convention  at 
that  time  were  not  extravagantly  large  is  indicated  by  the  limit 
fixed  to  the  amount  which  might  legally  be  received  in  trust.  Ten 
thousand  dollars  was  the  measure  of  their  faith.  The  possibility 
that  this  body  might  ever  be  the  guardian  of  funds  amounting  to 
over  $200,000  was  beyond  their  fondest  dreams.  The  text  of  the 
charter  is  as  follows : 

"Act  OF  Incorporation 

"Passed  November  18, 1851,  and  amended  November  9,  1852. 

"It  is  hereby  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State 
of  Vermont,  as  follows : 

"Section  1.  Joseph  D.  Farnsworth,  John  Conant,  Truman 
Galusha,  Peter  W.  Dean,  Nathan  N.  Bottom,  John  P.  Skinner, 
Frederick  W.  Baldwin,  Jacob  Estey,  Samuel  Griggs,  and  Samuel 
L.  Armington,  and  their  associates,  are  constituted  a  corporation 
and  body  politic,  by  the  name  of  'The  Vermont  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention' and  by  that  name  may  sue  and  be  sued,  prosecute  and  de- 
fend, and  be  vested  with,  and  enjoy,  all  the  privileges  and  powers  in- 
cident to  corporations  of  a  similar  nature. 

"Sec.  2.  Joseph  D.  Farnsworth,  John  Conant,  Truman 
Galusha,  Peter  W.  Dean,  Nathan  N.  Bottom,  John  P.  Skinner, 
Frederick  W.  Baldwin,  Jacob  Estey,  Samuel  Griggs,  and  Samuel 
Armington,  and  their  successors  in  office  are  hereby  constituted  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  473 

Board  of  Trust,  to  control  and  manage  the  funds,  and  all  the 
pecuniary  interests  of  said  Convention.  The  persons  named  in 
this  section  shall  hold  oflBce  until  their  successors  shall  have  been 
chosen  by  said  Convention,  The  said  Convention  may  increase 
the  number  of  said  Board  to  a  number  not  exceeding  twenty -one, 
and  may  elect  such  Board,  or  a  part  thereof,  from  year  to  year, 
according  to  such  methods  as  the  Convention  may  prescribe. 

"Sec.  3.  Joseph  D.  Farnsworth  is  hereby  authorized  to  call 
the  first  meeting  of  said  Board  of  Trust,  at  any  suitable  time  and 
place,  by  giving  such  notice  to  the  members  thereof  as  he  may 
judge  sufficient;  and  said  members,  or  a  majority  of  them  present 
at  said  meeting,  may  choose  a  moderator  and  clerk,  and  establish 
such  rules  and  by-laws  as  they  may  deem  expedient,  and  not  re- 
pugnant to  the  Constitution  and  laws  of  this  State. 

"Sec.  4.  Said  Trustees  may  receive,  hold  and  alienate  real 
and  personal  estate,  to  an  amount  not  exceeding  $10,000  in  trust, 
for  the  use  of  said  Convention,  to  be  appropriated  for  the  benefit 
of  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions. 

"  Sec.  5.  This  act  shall  be  under  the  control  of  the  Legislature 
to  alter,  amend  or  repeal,  as  the  public  good  may  require. " 

The  number  of  trustees  authorized  by  this  act  is  not  to  exceed 
twenty-one.  The  old  number,  thirteen,  was  for  some  time  con- 
tinued as  sufficient. 

In  1869,  the  number  of  trustees  was  not  less  than  twelve. 

In  1878,  the  articles  of  incorporation  were  amended,  making 
the  amount  of  funds  authorized  $100,000  instead  of  $10,000,  and 
the  purposes  designated  are  "for  Domestic  and  Foreign  Missions 
and  for  any  other  religious  or  educational  purposes. " 

In  1885,  Art.  VI.  of  the  Constitution  was  amended  to  read, 
"At  the  annual  meeting,  in  1886,  a  Board  of  twenty -one  managers 
shall  be  chosen  in  three  classes  of  seven  each,  to  serve  respectively 
one,  two  and  three  years.  Annually,  thereafter,  one  class  of  seven 
shall  be  elected  for  three  years,  and  vacancies  in  the  other  two 
classes  shall  be  filled.  Five  members  shall  constitvite  a  quorum. 
All  shall  be  nominated  by  a  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose. 
The  Board  of  Managers  shall  annually  elect  from  their  members  a 
president,  two  vice  presidents,  etc."     Hitherto  the  officers  of  the 


474  HISTORY  or  the  baptists  in  VERMONT 

Board  were  appointed  by  the  Convention  at  the  annual  meeting. 
November  13,   1900,  the  Act  was  again  amended  and  the 
hmiting  clause  in  Sec.  4,  "not  exceeding  $100,000,"  was  removed 
and  no  limiting  clause  substituted. 

1861-1870 

This  period  opens  at  the  beginning  of  a  chapter  of  national 
history  of  unparalleled  tumult  and  trouble.  The  WTongs  and 
abuses  of  slavery  were  to  yield  their  legitimate  fruit  of  suflFering  and 
blood.  The  year  1861  had  hardly  begun  before  the  mutterings 
of  the  impending  war  became  distinctly  audible,  and  before  it  had 
closed  the  war  was  casting  its  dark  and  fearful  shadow  over  the 
whole  land .  The  part  that  Vermont  took  in  that  Civil  war  has  been 
told  by  those  who  witnessed  its  terrible  scenes  and  shared  in  its 
perils  at  the  front.  The  stories  of  camp  and  march,  siege  and  battle, 
have  been  rehearsed  for  many  years.  The  storj%  however,  of  the 
homeward  side  of  that  dreadful  war,  the  anxiety,  suffering,  sacri- 
fice and  sorrow  of  those  who  remained  at  home,  has  never  been  as 
fully  told,  and  probably  never  will  be  told.  If  it  could  be,  it  might 
be  impossible  and  perhaps  undesirable  to  separate  from  the  rest 
the  narrative  of  the  part  taken,  the  trials  endured,  by  the  Baptists 
of  Vermont.  Still  one  cannot  help  wishing,  at  times,  that  when  it 
was  possible  to  gather  the  facts  we  might  have  preserved  the  knowl- 
edge of  the  suffering  and  the  cost  in  life  and  treasure  to  our  churches 
of  that  terrible  strife.  The  history-  of  our  part  of  that  war  is  a 
record  of  a  small  and  rural  commonwealth,  heavily  drained  of 
its  able  bodied  men  by  emigration,  "VN-ithout  large  towns  or  floating 
population,  and  having  thus  much  less  than  the  average  proportion 
of  the  material  out  of  which  modem  armies  are  made,  but  which, 
nevertheless,  sent  to  the  war  ten  men  for  everj'  one  hundred  of  its 
total  population. 

In  proportion  to  her  population  Vermont  had  more  of  her 
sons  killed  in  battle  than  any  other  northern  State. 

The  deaths  from  all  causes  are  reckoned  to  be  five  thousand, 
two  hundred  and  twenty -four,  or  one  hundred  and  sixty  and  forty- 
nine  hundredths  men  lost  to  every  one  thousand  of  her  population. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  475 

How  many  families  were  thrown  into  mourning,  how  many 
homes  and  hearts  made  desolate !  It  could  not  be  otherwise  than 
that  the  churches  should  feel  heavily  the  burdens  and  the  depres- 
sion of  this  period.  But  no  portion  of  the  people  were  more  loyal 
than  the  Baptists. 

The  annual  sessions  of  the  State  Convention,  and  of  the  sev- 
eral Associations,  gave  opportunity  for  the  expression  of  patriotic 
and  loyal  sentiments,  and  these  expressions  are  an  interesting  and 
honorable  part  of  Baptist  history.  They  were  usually  made  by 
men  who  penned  with  care  the  resolutions  that  they  presented,  and 
the  hearty  adoption  of  them  by  these  representatives,  assemblies 
of  the  delegates  from  the  churches,  bears  witness  to  the  prevalent 
sentiments  among  the  membership. 

In  1861,  the  committee  on  National  Affairs  reported  the  fol- 
lowing resolutions,  which,  after  interesting  remarks,  were  adopted 
and  ordered  to  be  printed  in  the  minutes : 

"Resolved,  that  in  the  present  state  of  our  national  affairs, 
we  ^v^tness  the  culmination  of  a  strife,  which  has  long  been  pro- 
gressing, between  the  principles  of  freedom  incorpnarated  into  the 
frame  work  of  our  government,  and  laying  at  the  foundation  of 
our  national  existence,  on  the  one  hand,  and  the  system  of  American 
slavery  on  the  other. 

"Resolved,  that  in  our  judgment,  every  just  principle  of  reason 
combines  with  all  the  signs  of  the  times,  and  all  the  events  of  the 
conflict,  to  indicate  that  the  conquest  can  be  determined  only  by 
the  complete  and  permanent  subjugation  of  one  or  the  other  of 
these  contending  elements. 

"Resolved,  that  every  principle  of  right,  and  every  considera- 
tion of  expediency,  continue  to  call  upon  this  government  to 
emancipate  the  slaves,  of  every  person  engaged  in  the  rebellion  now 
going  on  against  the  authority  of  these  United  States. 

"Resolved,  that  as  citizens,  as  christians,  and  as  christian 
ministers,  we  tender  to  the  Government  in  this  contest  our  constant 
sympathy,  our  earnest  prayer,  and  our  cordial  and  persevering  aid 
in  all  righteous  means  for  the  suppression  of  this  unholy  rebelHon. " 


476  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

1862 

In  1862,  the  Emancipation  Proclamation  had  been  signed  and 
the  Convention  expressed  its  satisfaction  by  the  following : 

"Resolved,  that  the  proclamation  recently  put  forth  by  our 
Chief  Magistrate,  looking  to  the  emancipation  of  more  than  three 
million  of  slaves,  increases  our  confidence  in  the  wisdom  and  in- 
tegrity of  Abraham  Lincoln,  and  meets  our  hearty  approbation, 
gives  us  great  reason  to  thank  God  and  take  courage,  places  before 
us  additional  motives  for  labor,  and  affords  new  encourage- 
ment for  prayer  for  the  emancipation  of  every  slave,  and  for  the 
suppression  of  the  wicked  rebellion  which  seeks  to  overthrow  and 
destroy  all  our  liberties,  both  civil  and  religious. 

"Resolved,  that,  as  citizens  and  as  christians,  we  tender  to  the 
Government,  in  this  contest,  our  constant  sympathy,  our  earnest 
prayers,  and  our  cordial  and  persevering  aid  in  all  righteous  means 
for  the  suppression  of  this  unholy  rebellion. " 

The  progress  of  the  war  was  watched  with  intense  interest. 
Fervent  prayers  were  offered  to  God  for  the  return  of  peace.  The 
hand  of  God  was  recognized  directing  events,  and  strong  faith  was 
exercised  that  He  who  founded  the  nation  had  beneficent  purposes 
for  the  world  through  it,  yet  unfulfilled,  and  that  he  would,  in  due 
time,  suppress  rebellion  and  preserve  the  nation  from  disruption. 
Though  the  longed  for  end  of  the  war  had  not  come,  yet  there  were 
indications  of  final  victory,  and  the  resolutions  in  1863  were  hopeful 
and  loyal. 

1863 

"Resolved,  that  in  the  present  appearances  that  the  beginning 
of  the  end  of  the  rebellion  is  come,  we  have  occasion  for  devout 
thanksgiving  to  God;  we  see  the  efficiency  and  adaptation  of  our 
Chief  Magistrate  to  the  position  Providence  has  assigned  him;  that 
protestantism  and  evangelical  piety  are  to  supplant  all  false 
systems  of  religion  and  rule  the  world;  and  that  America  is  yet  to 
be  what  her  ancient  historv'  promised,  the  missionary  nation  to 
carry  the  gospel  to  the  ends  of  the  earth. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  477 

"Resolved,  that  the  policy  of  the  Administration  in  emanci- 
pating the  slaves  and  employing  them  in  the  service  of  the  Gov- 
ernment is  evidently  directed  by  'that  wisdom  which  cometh  from 
above, '  and  is  an  omen  of  success  in  securing  freedom,  and  restor- 
ing peace  and  union  to  the  nation. 

"Resolved,  that  we  endorse  the  policy  of  the  Administration 
in  suspending  the  writ  of  the  habeas  corpus,  as  demanded  by  the 
occasion,  and  a  wise  measure  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union. 

"Resolved,  that  in  the  hopeful  signs  of  the  times  we  see  no 
occasion  to  omit  the  least  effort  to  overcome  the  rebellion ;  and  that, 
as  heretofore,  we  pledge  to  the  President,  'our  lives,  our  fortunes 
and  our  sacred  honor, '  to  stand  by  him  until  the  authority  of  the 
Government  is  vindicated,  and  the  honor  of  our  flag  maintained, 
which  is  the  emblem  of  freedom,  equality,  justice,  and  the  power  of 
a  great  law-abiding  and  liberty -loving  people. " 

Another  year  passed  and  the  end  had  not  come.  The  Con- 
vention met  again  mider  the  depressing  influences  of  the  prolonged 
and  dreadful  war,  but  its  utterances  were  still  hopeful  and  patriotic. 

1864 

"Resolved,  that  we  recognize,  with  devout  gratitude  to  Al- 
mighty God,  that  divine  favor  which  has  given  so  many  and  such 
important  victories  to  our  arms,  and  hail  them  as  harbingers  of  the 
complete  and  speedy  suppression  of  this  unhallowed  rebellion. 

"Resolved,  that  in  this  terrible  conflict,  the  insurrection  of  the 
southern  oligarcy  against  the  constitutional  government  of  the 
country  secures  the  sympathj'  and  aid  of  exery  lover  of  civil  and 
ecclesiastical  despotism  throughout  the  civilized  world,  as  they 
hope  for  the  overthrow  of  civil  and  religious  freedom  of  this  con- 
tinent. 

"Resolved,  that  while  we  long  and  pray  for  a  speedy  peace, 
we  believe  that  no  peace  can  be  either  righteous  or  permanent, 
and  therefore  no  peace  can  be  desirable,  that  does  not  embrace 
these  three  things,  namely,  the  integrity  of  the  whole  Union,  the 
complete  submission  of  those  in  arms  against  the  Government,  and 


478  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  entire  abolition  of  chattel  slavery — the  impelling  cause  of  the 
conflict — and  that  for  the  attainment  of  these  ends,  we  are  willing 
to  bear  all  needful  burdens  and  make  all  necessary  sacrifices. 

"Resolved,  that  we  believe  it  to  be  the  duty  of  every  christian 
and  of  every  patriot  to  rally  around  the  Government  and  sustain 
it  to  the  utmost,  in  its  efforts  for  the  preservation  of  the  country 
and  that  we  pledge  it  our  earnest  prayers,  our  continual  sympathy 
and  our  steady  support." 

When  the  Convention  met  in  1865,  the  nation  had  passed 
through  experiences  of  unj^aralleled  interest.  The  victory  of 
Appomattox  and  the  surrender  of  Lee  had  wakened  ecstatic  re- 
joicings, which  were  soon  quieted  and  quenched  with  tears  by  the 
assassination  of  the  beloved  Lincoln.  By  autumn,  the  minds  of 
the  people  were  quieted,  and  christians  were  filled  with  devout 
thanksgiving  to  God  for  his  providential  care  and  were  seriously 
facing  the  problems  before  them. 

"Resolved,  that  in  view  of  the  wonderful  and  stirring  develop- 
ments of  divine  providence  during  the  past  twelve  months  connected 
with  our  national  affairs,  while  we  have  abundant  reason  for 
humility  and  al)asement  for  the  carnage  and  atrocities  of  war, 
culminating  in  the  unparalleled  assassination  of  our  late  beloved 
President,  we  find  cause  for  devout  thanksgiving  for  the  return  of 
peace  to  our  borders  and  that  in  deserved  wrath  God  has  remem- 
bered mercy. 

"  Resolved,  that  although  the  surgings  of  the  battle  are  stilled 
and  the  effusion  of  fraternal  lilood  is  stayed,  perils  of  scarcely  less 
magnitude  yet  gather  around  us,  threatening  to  destroy  the  pros- 
pective good  purchased  by  such  terrible  sacrifices  of  treasure  and 
Ufe,  it  becomes  us  as  patriots,  philanthropists  and  christians,  to 
earnestly  and  humbly  pray  Almighty  God  that  he  will  grant  our 
Chief  Magistrate,  his  counsellors  and  advisers,  all  that  wnsdom 
requisite  for  the  great  and  difficult  work,  'Reconstruction,'  and 
that  the  Government  may  not  forget  or  disregard  the  entire  man- 
hood belonging  to  the  race  manumitted  by  the  stem  arbitrament  of 
arms,  in  which  that  race  have  exhibited  so  much  loyalty  to  the  Gov- 
ernment and  faith  in  God . " 

Notwithstanding  the  distress  and  depression  of  this  condition 
of  things  during  the  war,  the  State  Convention  continued  its  work 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  479 

with  increasing  activity  and  widening  usefulness.  Strong  men 
were  upon  the  Board  and  in  the  pastorate  of  the  churches.  A. 
Sabin,  J.  Freeman,  T.  H.  Archibald,  M.  Merriam,  C.  A.  Thomas, 
L.  A.  Dunn,  N.  P.  Foster,  W.  L.  Picknell,  I.  Person,  R.  Sawyer, 
and  others  of  like  ability.  I.  Person  was  moderator  in  1861;  and 
N.  B.  Lock,  D.  D.,  president  of  the  Board;  T.  H.  Archibald,  cor- 
responding secretary;  Deacon  E.  A.  Fuller,  treasurer. 

Eli  B.  Smith,  D.  D.,  had  been  recently  taken  from  the  scenes 
of  his  important  labors.  No  man  could  have  been  taken  from 
among  us  whose  departure  would  have  left  a  wider  breach.  Re- 
spected as  a  christian,  wise  as  a  counsellor,  mighty  in  Scriptures 
and  ready  for  every  good  work,  his  advice  was  of  great  service  in 
all  the  deliberations  of  his  brethren.  Ezra  Butler,  C.  A.  Briggs, 
R.  M.  Ely,  and  E.  Megregor,  were  also  among  the  men  who  had 
ceased  from  their  labors  and  entered  into  rest. 

The  Board  found  itself  exceedingly  embarrassed  by  the  un- 
expected financial  revulsion,  which  utterly  deranged  the  monetary 
interests  of  the  country.  They,  however,  aided  fifteen  churches. 
Their  appropriations  amounted  to  $1,093.33;  their  whole  expendi- 
tures, including  salary  of  agent,  amounted  to  $2,059.70.  For  a 
time  it  appeared  that  the  debt  of  the  previous  year  would  be 
heavily  increased,  but  the  receipts  of  the  treasury  were  unex- 
pectedly large  at  the  last  of  the  year,  and  that  debt  was  increased 
but  a  little  over  $160.  Rufus  Smith  was  the  very  efficient  agent 
of  the  Board  during  this  year. 

The  anniversaries  of  1862  were  held  with  the  church  in  Bur- 
lington. The  place  of  meeting  was  suggestive  of  the  good  achieved 
through  the  instrumentality  of  this  body.  The  secretary'  of  the 
Board,  in  his  report,  naturally  called  attention  to  this  fact.  "Here, 
for  many  long  years,  an  infant  church,  struggling  for  existence,  was 
sustained  by  appropriations  from  the  Vermont  Baptist  Convention, 
without  which,  it  is  not  too  much  to  say,  that  Baptist  preaching 
could  not  have  been  maintained  in  Burlington.  Here  and  now  we 
witness  a  portion  of  the  ripened  fruit — a  self-sustaining  church 
welcoming  us  here,  to  hold  our  thirty-seventh  anniversary,  and 
causing  us  with  grateful  admiration  to  cry,  'What  hath  God 
wrought?'     Long  may  this  church  continue  a  monument  of  your 


480  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

wise  liberality,  to  bless  this  community,  and  to  bless  the  world; 
and  may  many  such  be  raised  up  and  matured  in  every  part  of  the 
State,  through  the  same  agency,  till  our  whole  people  shall  become, 
'The  chosen  of  the  Lord,  the  branch  of  His  planting,  that  He  alone 
may  be  glorified  in  that  day.'  " 

This  session  was  rendered  specially  impressive  by  the  presence 
of  another  of  our  number  designated  for  the  foreign  mission  field. 
Rev.  C.  H.  Carpenter,  of  Brattleboro,  designated  as  missionary  to 
the  Karens,  was  sent  out  with  appropriate  services.  Rev.  J.  G. 
Warren,  D.  D.,  addressed  the  missionary  on  the  qualifications  es- 
sential to  missionary  success.  Rev.  Mark  Carpenter,  father  of 
the  missionary,  offered  the  consecrating  prayer.  Rev.  C.  H.  Car- 
penter addressed  the  Convention  upon  his  convictions  and  hopes 
upon  going  forth  to  his  work.  The  chairman  addressed  the  mis- 
sionary in  behalf  of  the  Convention,  and  a  missionary  hymn  was 
sung  by  the  choir. 

Fifteen  churches  were  again  aided  by  the  funds  of  the  Conven- 
tion. A  part  of  the  report  of  the  Board  reflects  the  condition  of  the 
churches  and  of  the  times.  "They  have  been  perplexed  more  than 
they  can  describe  in  ascertaining  the  path  of  duty.  On  the  one 
hand  the  distress  and  embarrassments  have  borne,  with  oppressive 
weight,  upon  the  feeble  churches,  which  have  been  accustomed  to 
look  to  them  for  aid.  Their  numbers  have  been  diminished,  and 
their  pecuniary  ability  reduced,  by  the  enlistment  of  their  members, 
and  supporters  in  the  armies  of  the  nation,  while  those  who  remain 
have  been  called  to  struggle  under  unusual  pecuniary  burdens,  and 
they  have  urged,  with  the  importunity  of  distress,  for  aid  as  involv- 
ing not  only  their  usefulness,  but  their  visibility  also.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  churches  that  have  been  accustomed  to  contribute  to 
your  treasury  have  themselves,  in  many  instances,  been  crippled, 
and  in  all  cases  rendered  less  able,  than  in  times  of  wonted  pros- 
perity." 

The  balance  against  the  treasurj^  at  the  end  of  the  year  was 
$380.17.     Eleven  churches  were  aided  in  1863. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  year  it  was  determined  to  make 
an  earnest  effort  not  only  to  defray  the  current  expenses  of  the 
year,  but  also  to  remove  the  existing  liabilities  of  the  Convention, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  481 

which  then  amounted  to  $750.  This,  together  with  the  expendi- 
tures of  the  year,  constituted  an  aggregate  of  $2,284,  besides  in- 
terest. The  receipts  of  the  year  exceeded  this,  and  cancelUng  all 
past  liabilities,  left  a  balance  in  the  treasury. 

The  Board  had  been  specially  impressed  with  the  need  of 
enlarging  their  work,  entering  new  and  promising  fields,  and  Rufus 
Smith,  agent  of  the  Board,  made  a  careful  survey  of  the  State, 
county  by  county,  mentioning  the  towns  that  were  without  Baptist 
preaching,  and  suggesting  where  work  might  profitably  be  begun. 
Acting  upon  these  suggestions,  the  Board  appointed  a  committee  to 
visit  St.  Albans  to  confer  with  the  friends  there  in  regard  to  the 
establishment  of  a  Baptist  church  there.  The  result  was  that 
a  lot  for  a  house  of  worship  was  secured,  and  a  subscription  started 
to  build  a  chapel  that  could  be  occupied  until  sufficient  strength 
could  be  gained  to  erect  a  larger  and  more  commodious  building. 

During  the  winter  of  1866,  the  safe  of  Deacon  E.  A.  Fuller 
"was  feloniously  opened,  and  along  with  private  property,  cash, 
drafts  and  bonds  belonging  to  the  Convention  to  the  amount  of 
$344,  were  stolen."  A  part  of  this  was  in  drafts,  the  payment  of 
which  was  stopped;  the  remainder  was  lost.  The  Board,  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  no  blame  could  by  any  possibility  be  attached  to 
Brother  Fuller,  and  that  his  valuable  services  as  treasurer  for  a 
series  of  years  had  been  entirely  gratuitous,  unanimously  voted 
to  recommend  to  the  Convention  to  discharge  him  from  all  liability 
for  the  funds  lost. 

The  anniversary  in  1867  was  held  at  North  Springfield,  and  was 
rendered  specially  serious  and  sad  by  the  death  of  the  pastor  of 
that  church,  the  beloved  Brother  W.  L.  Picknell,  which  occurred 
September  28.  The  convention  met  October  2.  Business  was 
suspended  for  an  hour  in  the  afternoon  of  the  first  day  for  devo- 
tional services,  followed  by  services  in  memory  of  Brother  Picknell. 
The  family  were  conducted  to  the  house  by  Brethren  Freeman, 
Cudworth  and  Dunn.  Rev.  S.  F.  Smith  pronounced  a  eulogy  upon 
the  life  and  character  of  Brother  Picknell,  and  resolutions  were  sub- 
mitted which,  after  remarks  by  Brethren  L.  A.  Dmm,  T.  H.  Archi- 
bald, Ira  Person  and  H.  Fletcher,  were  adopted. 

Rev.  W.  K.  Picknell  was  bom  in  Fairfax,  in  the  year  1823.  He 
pursued  his  studies  at  the  New  Hampton  Institution  and  was 


482  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

ordained  to  the  work  of  the  ministry  at  Hinesburg.  In  1855,  he 
removed  to  Windham,  and  in  1858,  to  North  Springfield,  where 
September  28,  1867,  he  entered  into  rest.  Brother  Picknell  was  a 
man  of  earnest  and  consistent  piety,  with  as  few  imperfections  of 
character  as  are  often  found  in  any  one,  yet  he  was  always  deeply 
conscious  of  his  own  unworthiness  in  the  sight  of  Christ.  His  con- 
ceptions of  man 's  sinfulness  and  need  of  a  Saviour  were  very  clear, 
and  gave  impressiveness  to  his  sermons.  He  was  marked  by  warm 
sympathies  and  strong  affections.  As  a  pastor  he  was  more  than 
usually  industrious  and  discreet.  Free  from  ebullitions  of  passion, 
he  preached  and  practiced  forbearance.  He  lived  for  the  single 
purpose  of  preaching  Christ,  and  Him  crucified.  His  ministry  was 
a  successful  one. 

The  years  1866-1867,  will  long  be  memorable  for  the  great 
spiritual  awakening  experienced  by  many  of  our  pastors  and  laymen 
under  the  labors  of  Rev.  A.  B.  Earle,  the  evangelist.  The  meet- 
ings in  Burlington,  Chester  and  elsewhere,  were  specially  blessed 
to  the  development  of  a  simpler  faith  in  God  and  more  perfect 
consecration  to  his  service.  The  success  of  these  meetings  led  to 
the  revival  of  a  policy  so  successful  twenty-five  years  before,  viz. : 
that  of  employing  missionary  evangelists  to  hold  protracted  meet- 
ings among  the  churches.  Rev.  M.  G.  DeWitt  was  accordingly 
invited  to  do  this  work.  He  came,  and  under  the  direction  of  the 
Board,  labored  with  much  success.  In  1868,  the  First  Baptist 
church  in  Vergennes,  was  constituted  under  the  fostering  care  of 
Joseph  Freeman,  D.  D.,  pastor. 

In  1870,  was  organized  the  Vermont  Baptist  Sabbath  School 
Convention,  with  much  promise  of  good  in  promoting  a  more  ear- 
nest and  effective  prosecution  of  this  important  branch  of  our  evan- 
gelistic work.  This  year,  also,  the  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith  of  Connec- 
ticut, a  long  tried  and  efficient  pastor,  was  secured  as  State  mis- 
sionary, and  entered  upon  his  work  \\ith  good  hopes  of  success. 

Thus  closes  this  eventful  period,  during  which  the  nation  was 
aroused  as  it  had  not  been  for  ninety  years;  and  the  energies  put 
forth  in  the  defense  of  a  free  and  united  country  were  terrible. 
But  though  the  demand  upon  our  people  for  money,  as  well  as  men, 
was  heavy  and  continued,  business,  after  the  first  shock,  was  pros- 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  483 

perous,  and  the  Convention  was  well  sustained.  Its  receipts  for 
the  ten  years  were  $22,966,  only  $300  less  than  during  the  previous 
decade;  three  thousand,  three  hundred  and  seventy-five  were  added 
to  the  churches  by  baptism,  making  a  total  membership  at  the  close 
of  this  period,  of  eight  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  twenty-seven. 

1871-1875 

For  several  years  the  instability  of  the  pastoral  relation  was  a 
cause  of  embarrassment  and  of  special  mention  in  the  reports  of  the 
Board. 

In  1867,  the  Board  called  special  attention  to  this.  "Never, 
since  the  organization  of  this  body,  have  we  so  many  removals  of 
pastors  to  record  as  at  the  present  time.  Rev.  Messrs.  Sherwin, 
Gurr  and  Swain  of  the  Board,  and  R.  A.  Hodge,  W.  H.  Dean,  A. 
Sabin,  J.  Upham,  J.  F.  Bigelow,  L.  B.  Hibbard  and  R.  G.  Johnson, 
ten  in  all,  have  resigned  their  respective  charges,  most  of  whom 
have  removed  from  the  State.  It  is  a  serious  disaster  to  any  de- 
nomination, in  any  state,  when  moie  than  one-tenth  of  its  effective 
ministry  are  taken  from  it  in  a  single  year. " 

In  1868,  notice  was  again  called  to  the  number  of  ministers  re- 
moving from  the  State  in  considerable  numbers.  "The  Rev. 
Messrs.  Foster,  Jones,  Pillsbury,  CD.  Fuller,  Coon,  Small,  Dean, 
Nicholson  and  Peabody  have  left  us  and  many  of  the  vacancies 
thus  created  are  unsupplied,  while  the  churches  to  which  they  min- 
istered are  in  danger  of  being  scattered  as  sheep  having  no  shepherd. 
May  the  Head  of  the  Church  in  mercy  save  us  from  the  desolation 
and  decay  which  are  the  natural  results  of  this  constant  mutation 
in  the  pastoral  office  among  us. " 

x\gain,  in  1870,  comes  the  same  note  of  warning.  "We  re- 
gret to  notice  the  frequent  changes  occurring  throughout  the  State 
in  the  pastoral  relation.  The  feebleness  and  consequent  ineffi- 
ciency of  a  large  proportion  of  our  churches  is  due,  in  a  great  meas- 
ure, we  believe,  to  this  cause.  It  is  demoralizing  to  both  pastors 
and  churches,  but  especially  to  churches.  Often  more  is  lost  in 
one  change  than  can  be  regained  in  a  three  or  four  years'  pastorate. 
The  extent  of  this  evil  is  startling.     No  less  than  forty  of  these 


484  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

changes  have  occurred,  within  the  bounds  of  the  Convention,  dur- 
ing the  year  under  review.  In  view  of  the  importance  of  this  sub- 
ject the  Board  would  recommend  the  appointment  of  a  Committee 
to  prepare  an  exhaustive  report  upon  it  to  be  read  at  the  next 
anniversary." 

This  recommendation  was  adopted  by  the  Convention  and 
Brethren  L.  A.  Dunn,  C.  Hibbard  and  I.  D.  Burwell,  were  ap- 
pointed to  make,  at  the  next  session,  an  exhaustive  report  on  the 
lamentable  frequency  of  pastoral  changes,  and  the  remedy  therefor. 

This  committee  accepted  its  appointment  seriously,  and  at  the 
session  in  1871,  did  render  an  "exhaustive"  report,  of  which  Rev. 
L.  A.  Dunn  was  author.  It  was  printed  in  the  minutes  and  fills 
thirteen  pages  of  closely  printed  matter.  It  was  also  published  as 
a  pamphlet.  The  discussion  was  so  thorough  and  the  subject  so 
important  that  but  for  its  length  the  paper  might  be  inserted  here 
as  a  part  of  the  history.  A  summary  of  it  is  worthy  of  preserva- 
tion: 

"Here,  then,  in  brief,  we  have  the  cause  and  the  cure  for  fre- 
quent pastoral  changes.  The  cause  may  be  found  in  the  want  of 
love  between  pastor  and  people,  or  any  real,  earnest  desire  to  make 
the  relation  permanent,  and,  consequently,  a  want  of  a  willingness 
to  make  the  proper  sacrifices  and  put  forth  the  proper  effort. 

"  To  remedy  this  evil  there  must  be : 

"A  better  understanding  of  the  nature  of  the  relation  and  of 
the  principles  on  which  it  depends. 

"Pastors  should  be  more  careful  and  not  enter  fields  that  they 
have  not  the  ability  to  cultivate. 

"The  pastor  should  more  thoroughly  cultivate  his  field.  To 
do  this,  and  insure  success,  he  must  have  wisdom. 

"  1 .     To  preach  the  right  truths  at  the  right  time. 

"2.     To  foresee  an  evil  and  shun  it. 

"3.  To  adapt  his  preaching  to  the  wants  of  the  common 
people. 

"4.     To  enable  him  to  overcome  evil  wnth  good. 

"5.     To  give  point  and  purpose  to  his  preaching, 

"6.  To  preach  the  gospel  so  that  sinners  may  be  converted, 
and  the  piety  of  the  church  strengthened. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  485 

"And,  lastly,  to  secure  the  blessing  of  a  permanent  pastorate, 
both  pastor  and  people  must  avoid  everything  that  will  tend  to 
weaken  the  strength  or  retard  the  growth  of  the  bond  of  union." 

Whether  this  report  accomplished  its  mission  or  not  may  be 
judged  by  the  subsequent  course  of  events.  It  certainly  was  an 
honest  effort,  on  the  part  of  the  Convention,  to  expose  and  to 
remedy  a  great  evil,  and  a  pregnant  cause  of  weakness;  and  it  is 
suggestive  of  a  line  of  work  that  a  State  Convention  may  well  de- 
vote itself  to,  not  spasmodically,  by  an  occasional  exhaustive  paper, 
but  by  constant,  studious  and  well  directed  effort  to  discourage 
short  pastorates  and  secure  longer  ones. 

The  year  1871  is  memorable  for  the  report  of  the  Committee 
on  a  New  Educational  Institution,  the  outcome  of  which  was  the 
founding  of  Vermont  Academy,  to  the  history  of  which  a  separate 
chapter  is  devoted. 

At  this  session  the  trustees  of  Derby  Academy  offered  the 
buildings  and  other  property  of  the  corporation  to  the  Vermont 
Baptist  State  Convention,  and  a  resolution  was  introduced,  "That 
we  accept  the  trust  and  manage  the  school. "  This  resolution  was 
referred  to  the  Board. 

This  year  marks  the  beginning  of  the  Women's  Missionary 
Work,  and  the  Convention  cordially  recommended  to  the  sisters 
of  our  churches  the  Woman's  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  recently 
formed  at  Boston,  as  worthy  of  their  generous  support. 

In  the  morning  session  of  the  Convention,  in  1872,  the  Board 
through  its  secretary.  Rev.  Charles  Hibbard,  made  an  appeal  for 
the  immediate  liquidation  of  the  debt  of  $1,873.50.  The  effort 
was  made  and  $1,886.82  raised  and  nearly  all  paid  in. 

The  ladies  held  a  session  by  themselves  and  were  addressed  by 
Mrs.  C.  H.  Carpenter,  lately  returned  from  Burma,  and  Miss  Hill 
of  Boston,  on  Woman 's  Foreign  Mission  Work. 

A  notable  series  of  addresses  marked  this  anniversary.  Dr. 
Lorimer,  of  Boston,  addressed  the  Convention  on  the  subject, 
"The  Mission  in  Rome,"  and  a  collection  was  taken  for  that  object. 

Addresses  were  made  by  Dr.  Backus,  corresponding  secretary 
of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society.     Rev.  C.  H.  Car- 


486  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

penter,  returned  missionary  from  Burma,  and  Dr.  Gillette,  presi- 
dent of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 

In  1873,  the  report  of  the  Board  gave  rise  to  an  animated  dis- 
cussion in  which  twenty  of  the  brethren  took  part.  There  was 
evidence  of  a  strong  desire  to  undertake  advanced  work. 

In  1874,  the  Board  called  attention  to  an  important,  radical 
change  in  their  policy  and  methods  of  work.  Up  to  about  that 
time,  from  the  beginning,  the  success  of  the  Convention  financially 
was  thought  to  depend  upon  having  an  efficient  agent  to  go 
throughout  the  State,  as  far  as  possible,  representing  the  Conven- 
tion and  collecting  funds.  There  were  always  some  who  chafed 
under  the  cost  of  this  method  of  collection,  but  it  seemed  impera- 
tive. But  it  was  always  difficult  to  find  the  suitable  man  for  this 
service,  and  after  one  was  found  in  Rev.  M.  G.  Smith,  his  services 
became  so  much  more  valuable  as  a  missionary,  than  as  a  collector 
of  funds,  that  it  was  about  impossible  to  get  him  away  from  the 
new  fields  like  St.  Albans,  Richford  and  other  places,  to  permit  him 
to  spend  time  collecting  funds.  At  length  the  experiment  was 
tried  of  securing  several  men,  in  different  parts  of  the  State,  to 
collect  at  the  least  possible  expense,  and  so  far  as  the  treasurer's 
report  shows  this  expense  was  cancelled  entirely,  and  the  Board 
devoted  itself  to  purely  missionary  work,  especially  in  new  and 
promising  fields.     The  result  was  gratifying. 

Their  report  in  1874  begins,  "In  presenting  their  annual  re- 
port your  Board  desire  first  of  all  to  make  mention  of  the  good 
hand  of  our  God  upon  us,  })oth  in  counsel  and  in  field.  The  year 
began  with  a  small  balance  in  the  treasury,  and  has  closed,  we  are 
thankful  to  say,  without  debt.  We  think  the  financial  success  of 
the  Convention  for  the  past  few  years  has  fully  justified  the  wis- 
dom of  the  Board  in  dispensing  with  paid  agents  for  the  collecting 
of  funds.  And  we  desire  to  call  the  attention  of  our  brethren 
especially  business  men,  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  to  the  fact  that 
every  dollar  that  is  now  contributed  to  the  Convention  goes 
directly,  and  without  loss,  to  its  benevolent  work,  no  fraction  of 
it  being  absorbed  on  the  way  by  secretaries,  treasurers  or  collectors. 
Where  else  can  the  gifts  and  legacies  of  Christ 's  almoners  do  more 
to  advance  His  cause  .f^ " 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  487 

M.  J.  Smith  spent  most  of  his  time  this  year  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  State,  half  of  it  at  Richford.  Another  missionary, 
Rev.  J.  H.  Parmelee,  was  employed  in  the  central  portions  of  the 
State. 

The  fiftieth  anniversary  of  the  Convention  was  held  at  St. 
Albans,  October  6,  in  the  beautiful  and  well-appointed  meeting- 
house which  had  recently  been  dedicated,  free  from  debt.  Its  cost 
was  about  $36,000. 

Of  those  who  were  present  at  the  first  anniversary  of  the  Con- 
vention, but  two  were  known  to  be  living  at  that  time,  viz. :  Rev. 
Alvah  Sabin,  of  this  church,  and  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church,  of  New 
York. 

At  this  session  Rev.  Charles  Hibbard  gave  a  most  excellent 
historical  address,  covering  as  fully  as  could  be  in  a  single  address 
the  fifty  years'  history  of  the  Convention.  It  has  been  the  basis 
of  historical  papers  since  then,  and  most  of  the  facts  he  mentioned 
have  been  noted  in  the  preceding  pages.  In  a  concluding  paragraph 
he  says,  "Since  the  first  anniversary  of  this  body  fifty  years  ago, 
more  than  one  hundred  churches  have  been  aided  by  its  funds, 
either  by  appropriation  of  money  or  by  missionary  supplies 
(seventy-four  by  grants  of  money)  and  all  have  received  its  foster- 
ing care.  Of  the  present  leading  churches,  Burlington,  Brattle- 
boro,  Bennington,  Manchester  and  Rutland  were  for  a  time  thus 
aided.  In  carrying  on  its  work  the  Convention  has  received  and 
expended  $94,438.  (For  the  first  fourteen  years  small  contribu- 
tions for  home  and  foreign  missions  are  included  in  this  sum). 
In  the  meantime,  $57,014.02  have  been  contributed  for  foreign 
missions,  and  twenty-one  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  seventy- 
one  converts,  have,  during  the  same  period,  been  added  to  the 
churches  by  baptism. 

"During  these  one  hundred  and  forty -two  years  since  the  found- 
ing of  the  first  church  in  Shaftsbury,  many  churches  have  come  into 
existence,  been  sustained  for  longer  or  shorter  time,  with  more  or 
less  of  vigor,  and  then  passed  away.  There  have  been  about 
eighty  of  such.  The  causes  for  such  decay  and  death  are  various. 
"But  with  all  these  drawbacks,  it  is  of  great  importance  that 
the  feeble  churches  be  generally  aided,  even  though  they  continue 


488  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

weak  or  die.  The  smallest  and  shortest  lives  of  them  all  have 
lived  long  enough  to  be  the  means  of  saving  precious  souls.  And 
if  the  strong  men  who  were  raised  up  among  them  were  not  re- 
tained by  them,  they  were  sent  forth  to  do  noble  work  elsewhere 
and  to  make  other  fields  'blossom  as  the  rose.'  I  have  but  to 
name  a  few  of  them  to  make  this  apparent:  as  Chase,  Culver, 
Conant,  Cutting,  Church,  Woods,  Kendrick,  Ide,  Haskall,  Hodge, 
Hovey,  Parker,  Fish  and  others  like  them,  a  long  catalogue;  be- 
sides Brown,  Haswell,  Brayton,  Bullard,  Beecher,  Knowlton, 
Carpenter  and  others  who  have  carried  the  Gospel  to  heathen 
lands.  Moreover,  the  sons  and  daughters  of  all  our  churches  are, 
by  thousands,  carrying  light  and  joy  and  a  purer  morality  and 
deeper  piety  into  the  homes  and  churches  of  all  the  West.  It 
pays  to  support  churches  which  send  forth  such  streams  of  in- 
fluence as  these;  churches  that  are  the  mothers  of  Gospel  ministers 
and  missionaries;  churches  which,  if  they  die  here,  yet  live  broader 
lives  in  other  states  and  lands.  Finally,  brethren,  shall  not  this 
inquiry  of  the  former  age,  this  search  of  the  fathers,  incite  us  to 
yet  greater  diligence  and  self-denial  and  singleness  of  purpose  in 
prosecuting  the  work  which  the  Master  has  set  before  this  Con- 
vention." 

1876-1885 

The  Convention  entered  upon  its  fifty-first  year,  and  the 
centennial  year  of  national  history,  in  the  midst  of  a  session  of 
financial  depression,  and  burdened  with  a  debt  of  over  $1,000. 
Rev.  M.  G.  Smith,  who,  since  1870,  had  served  the  Convention  as 
missionary,  finished  his  life  work  in  Preston,  in  November,  1875. 
"He  literally  wore  himself  out  in  the  service  of  Chiist  among  us, 
and  his  memory  will  long  live  in  grateful  remembrance  here." 
Rev.  Charles  Hibbard  of  Chester,  was  elected  State  missionary  in 
his  stead. 

After  assisting  in  evangelistic  ser\aces  at  Abbotts  Corner, 
P.  Q.,  by  the  direction  of  the  missionary  committee,  he  went  to 
Vergennes,  vnih  instructions  to  do  the  work  of  a  pastor,  and 
especially  to  lead  the  people  in  an  effort  to  build  a  house  of  wor- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  489 

ship.  In  the  face  of  great  difficulties  $5,000  was  raised,  and  a 
contract  let  for  the  erection  of  the  house.  The  Board,  though 
burdened  with  the  debt,  yet  feeling  the  responsibility  of  the 
great  commission  to  preach  a  pure  Gospel  throughout  our  bor- 
ders, and  to  establish  churches,  according  to  the  pattern  showm 
us  by  Christ,  dared  not  retrench  to  any  considerable  amount. 
Trusting  God  and  the  liberality  of  the  churches,  they  appro- 
priated something  over  $3,000.  "God  and  the  brethren,"  say 
they,  "have  justified  our  faith." 

The  next  two  years,  1877  and  1878,  the  financial  stringency 
continuing,  the  number  of  aided  churches  was  reduced  in  1877  to 
ten;  1878  and  1879  to  eight;  and  the  amount  appropriated  cor- 
respondingly reduced  $2,218,  $1,080,  $1,065,  for  the  years  respec- 
tively. From  that  time  the  number  of  churches  aided  increased 
from  eight  to  sixteen,  and  appropriations  from  $1,065  to  $2,254. 

Strenuous  efforts  were  made  to  reduce  the  debt,  but  the  de- 
mands upon  the  treasury  were  such  that  appropriations  exceeded 
receipts  each  year,  and  at  the  anniversary,  in  1885,  the  debt  was 
$1,749.  Meanwhile,  however,  the  permanent  fund  increased  from 
year  to  year.  In  1870,  the  permanent  fund  was  $2,296,  and  in 
1885,  it  had  increased  to  $15,430. 

This  increase  in  the  permanent  fund  necessitated  a  change  in 
the  articles  of  incorporation,  and  in  1879,  an  amendment  was 
secured  authorizing  trust  funds  to  the  amount  of  $100,000,  to  be 
appropriated  for  the  benefit  of  foreign  and  domestic  missions  and 
any  other  religious  or  educational  purpose. 

During  this  period  some  new  and  promising  fields  made  en- 
couraging progress,  notably  St.  Albans,  Vergennes,  West  Randolph, 
Montpelier  and  Essex  Junction.  The  church  in  Middlebury  was 
organized  with  the  encouragement  of  the  Board  in  1879. 

The  Shaftsbury  Association  and  the  Woodstock  Association 
completed  their  hundred  years  of  history,  in  this  decade — the 
Shaftsbury  in  1880,  and  the  Woodstock  in  1882.  Rev.  T.  H.  Archi- 
bald delivered  appropriate  historical  addresses  on  both  occasions. 
Ministerial  changes  were  frequently  causing  anxiety.  In  1883, 
more  than  one-third  of  the  pastors  enrolled  had  changed  church 


490  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

relations.  In  1877,  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown  served  efficiently  as  mission- 
ary. Rev.  N.  G.  Alger  served  as  State  missionary  in  1883,  1884 
and  a  portion  of  1885, 

The  report  of  the  committee  on  convention  work  in  1880, 
presented  by  Rev.  J.  K.  Richardson,  is  of  special  interest  because 
of  its  comparisons  and  recommendation.  "In  the  past  fifty  years 
we  have  a  little  more  than  held  our  o^^ti  in  the  State,  while  as  com- 
pared with  forty  years  ago  we  have  fallen  off.  While  the  denomi- 
nation has  increased  six-fold  in  the  country  during  the  fifty  years, 
it  has  increased  but  one-fifth  in  Vermont.  During  this  period 
the  population  in  the  country  has  increased  three  and  three- 
fourths  times,  and  in  Vermont,  one-half.  Approximately,  the 
denomination  has  increased  six-fold,  and  the  population  four-fold, 
in  the  country,  while  in  Vermont,  the  increase  has  been  one  and 
one-fifth.  Had  the  same  increase  obtained  denominationally  in 
Vermont  as  in  the  country,  we  should  now  number  about  fourteen 
thousand  Baptists  in  this  State. 

"A  comparison  for  the  last  thirty  years  will  give  a  very  dif- 
ferent result  and  will  show  that  our  denomination  in  this  State 
has  increased  three  times  faster  than  the  increase  of  the  denomina- 
tion at  large  and  population  might  have  led  us  to  expect.  The 
reason  for  this  remarkable  difference  between  the  two  periods  of 
fifty  and  thirty  years  is  to  be  found  in  the  reasons  for  falling  off 
from  1840  to  1852,  and  the  steady  gain  since  then.  Among  other 
causes,  it  was  shown  that  during  the  period  of  decline  there  was  a 
very  great  falling  off  in  funds,  and  that  the  change  in  progress  is 
nearly  coincident  with  the  increase  of  funds;  that  the  period  of 
progress  was  marked  by  special  emphasis  being  laid  on  helping  the 
churches  to  secure  permanent  pastors;  that  something  had  been 
done  by  })etter  Sunday  school  work;  and  lastly,  that  missionary 
work  had  been  an  important  factor  of  progress.  A  glance  was 
taken  at  the  State  by  counties,  sho^^•ing  that  there  was  one  county 
with  no  Baptist  church,  two  counties  with  only  one  each,  one  with 
two,  and  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  towns  with  none.  It  was 
further  sho\NTi  that  if  any  great  progress  was  to  be  expected  there 
must  be  a  State  missionary,  who  should  be  one  of  our  very  best 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  491 

men,  and  should  receive  a  salary  as  large  as  though  he  were  a 
pastor,  and  that  this  work  must  not  be  done  at  the  expense  of  the 
work  we  are  now  doing. " 

(The  above  is  a  very  brief  abstract  of  quite  a  lengthy  paper 
published  in  full  in  the  November  number  of  Vermont  Baptist, 
by  special  request  of  the  Convention). 

The  closing  paragraph  of  the  report  of  Convention  work, 
presented  by  Rev.  W.  N.  Wilbur  in  1885,  ends  in  the  same  key, 
and  is  prophetic  of  action  soon  to  be  taken,  the  fruits  of  which 
commend  the  wisdom  of  the  recommendation.     It  reads: 

"  Brethren,  we  ought  to  visit  every  village  and  hamlet  of  the 
State,  bearing  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation,  and  carrying  the  gospel 
in  its  purity  and  completeness  to  the  multitudes  who  are  yet  ignor- 
ant of  the  way  of  life.  This  thought  leads  me  to  express  the  con- 
viction which  has  weighed  upon  my  mind  for  years,  namely,  our 
Convention  should  keep  constantly  in  the  field,  at  least  one  mis- 
sionary—a man  of  God,  thoroughly  qualified  for  his  work,  the 
equal  of  our  best  pastors,  who,  by  his  wisdom  and  piety,  shall 
commend  himself  to  the  affection  and  cooperation  of  all  the  pastors 
and  all  the  churches.  Hitherto  the  difficulty  in  sustaining  such 
a  missionary  has  been  a  financial  one.  Now  our  "Permanent 
Fund,"  wisely  invested,  will  yield  an  income  nearly  sufficient  to 
meet  the  entire  expense.  Such  a  man  would  be  a  tower  of  strength 
in  our  Convention  work,  and  with  the  divine  blessing  and  the 
cooperation  of  the  churches,  he  might  reasonably  hope  to  accom- 
plish more  for  the  cause,  and  secure  larger  results,  than  he  would 
in  strictly  pastoral  work." 

Another  suggestion  in  this  report  was  that  the  Convention 
carefully  consider  the  wisdom  of  electing  its  Board  of  Managers 
in  three  classes,  each  class  to  hold  office  for  the  term  of  three  years. 

The  baptisms  during  this  decade  were  three  thousand,  five 
hundred  and  ninety-eight  and  accessions  by  letter  and  restoration 
made  the  additions  reported  five  thousand,  eight  hundred  and  two. 
The  losses,  however,  seem  to  have  over-balanced  the  gains,  and  the 
membership  of  the  churches  of  the  Convention  numbered  in  1885, 
eight  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  eighty. 


492  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

1886-1895 
Alexander  MacGeorge,  State  Missionary 

With  the  annual  session  of  1886  began  a  period  of  expansion 
and  progress  in  the  work  of  the  Convention.  By  appointment  of 
the  Board,  Rev.  S.  Henry  Archibald,  Rev.  R.  L.  Olds  and  Deacon 
D.  M.  White,  had  canvassed  the  State  for  the  purpose  of  raising 
funds  and,  early  in  this  session,  the  glad  announcement  was  made 
that  the  Convention  was  free  from  debt.  The  hearty  thanks  of 
the  Convention  were  expressed  by  vote  to  the  members  of  this 
committee  for  their  energetic  and  successful  work.  The  incubus  of 
a  debt  was  not  allowed  to  weigh  upon  the  Convention  again  during 
this  decade.  The  permanent  fmid  had  reached  the  sum  of  $16,365. 
The  time  for  enlargement  had  evidently  come. 

Encouraged  by  che  outlook,  the  Board  listened  to  the  appeals 
of  a  larger  number  of  churches  and  appropriated  aid  to  eighteen 
churches,  the  largest  number  ever  aided  directly  in  one  year  up 
to  this  time.  But  more  important  than  any  other  action  of  the 
Board,  about  this  time,  was  the  engagement  of  Rev.  Alexander 
MacGeorge  as  State  missionary,  at  a  salary  of  $1,200,  and  traveling 
expenses.  Toward  this  increased  expense  a  special  subscription 
had  been  made  for  one  year  amounting  to  $442. 

Col.  J.  J.  Estey,  president  of  the  Board,  was  especially  in- 
terested in  this  enterprise.  The  convictions  of  the  executive  com- 
mittee as  to  the  need  of  a  State  missionary  were  strong,  and  their 
conceptions  of  the  sphere  of  his  duties  clearly  defined. 

The  \'iews  of  the  executive  committee  on  this  subject  were 
clearly  outlined  by  J.  J.  Estey,  in  1888,  in  a  paper  read  to  the  Con- 
vention, and  reveals  the  arduous  work  which  was  laid  out  for  the 
new  official. 

"The  State  missionary  labors  under  the  immediate  direction 
of  the  executive  committee  of  the  Board,  doing  such  work  and 
accomplishing  such  things  as  they  may  direct.  The  executive 
committee  hold  the  view  that  the  work  in  which  they  can  most 
widely  employ  a  missionary's  efforts  is  as  follows:  Looking  after 
the  weak,  pastorless  churches  in  the  State — especially  those  that 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  493 

have  been  aided  by  the  State  Convention — and  undertaking  to 
get  for  them  suitable  pastors;  helping  them  on  the  field  to  raise 
money  for  the  support  of  the  pastor;  doing  the  same  thing  for 
churches  that  are  not  aided  by  the  Convention,  but,  from  all 
appearances,  will  very  soon  need  aid  unless  assistance  of  this  kind 
is  given  them;  helping  to  settle  difficulties  in  the  two  classes  of 
churches  mentioned  above;  aiding  the  weaker  churches  in  evangel- 
istic work;  helping  to  raise  money  to  liquidate  debts  in  these 
weaker  churches;  looking  after  new  fields  where  should  be  Baptist 
churches,  and  visiting,  as  far  as  possible,  the  different  associations 
in  the  State,  presenting  the  needs  of  the  State  Convention,  and  in 
this  way  assist  in  the  raising  of  funds  necessary  for  the  work  of  the 
Convention. 

"It  seems  to  me  that  the  first  duty  named  above  is  the  most 
important  one  to  the  feeble  churches  in  the  State.  With  due 
respect  to  the  brethren  who  have  given  themselves  to  the  preaching 
of  the  Gospel,  it  does  seem  to  me  that  the  first  requisite  for  a 
preacher  has  been  neglected  in  many  cases;  viz.:  practical  common 
sense.  This  is  needed  to  a  greater  degree  in  the  smaller  churches 
of  our  State  than  in  the  larger  ones,  where  there  is  strength  enough 
to  carry  on  the  work  even  if  the  pastor  is  not  well-fitted  for  the 
field  as  he  ought  to  be.  But  in  the  smaller  churches,  where  the 
pastor  must  be  the  leader  in  all  the  affairs  of  the  church,  it  needs 
a  man  peculiarly  fitted  for  the  work,  and  it  seems  to  me  that  a  lack 
of  such  pastors  is  one  of  the  reasons  why  so  many  of  our  churches 
have  been  compelled  to  be  aided  by  the  Convention,  year  after 
year.  There  are,  I  am  aware,  exceptions  to  this  rule,  but  this  is 
the  general  rule,  and  while  we  cannot,  as  a  denomination,  have  a 
bishop,  I  do  believe  that  the  most  important  work  of  the  State 
missionary  is  to  see  that  proper  pastors  are  procured  for  these 
small  churches. 

"There  are  many  other  ways  that  the  missionary  can  be  made 
useful,  but  I  think  I  have  named  the  principal  ones. " 

For  the  multiplex  and  delicate  duties  of  the  State  missionary, 
Mr.  MacGeorge  was  peculiarly  well-fitted.  He  was  in  the  prime 
of  young  manhood,  of  fine  physique,  easy  manners,  fluent  in  speech 
and  of  evangelistic  spirit.     Besides,  he  was  unusually  gifted  wdth 


494  HISTORY  or  the  baptists  in  VERMONT 

executive  ability  to  bring  things  to  pass.  He  was  enthusiastic  in 
his  work  and  inspired  courage  and  enthusiasm  in  others.  He  made 
himself  familiar  with  the  past  history  of  the  churches  he  visited, 
and  with  their  present  circumstances;  ascertained  their  financial 
ability;  studied  their  peculiar  problems;  examined  their  property, 
and  noted  what  repairs  or  improvements  were  needed  and  possible 
on  the  church  edifices  or  parsonages.  He  promptly  made  up  his 
mind  what  the  church  could  do  and  ought  to  do,  and  usually  suc- 
ceeded in  leading  them  on  to  the  accomplishment  of  it.  His 
recommendations  to  the  Board  were  based  on  careful  study  of  each 
church,  and  were  made  with  commendable  judgment.  His  first 
report  to  the  Convention,  through  the  Board,  in  1887,  was  of 
special  interest,  a  practical  introduction  of  the  man  to  the  Con- 
vention, and  of  the  aided  churches  to  the  Board. 

He  entered  upon  his  work  June  15,  1886.  He  was  directed 
to  visit  Enosburg.  On  the  way  he  made  a  short  call  at  Colchester 
and  became  interested  in  that  church.  At  Enosburg,  he  writes, 
"  I  began  a  visitation  from  house  to  house  and  was  much  pained  to 
hear  complaints  made  against  the  State  Convention,  in  some  re- 
cent transactions  between  the  church  and  that  body.  The  com- 
plaint was  based  upon  the  action  of  the  Convention  in  refusing  to 
aid  to  support  a  particular  pastor  called  to  settle  with  them.  I 
learned  all  I  could,  met  objections  as  fast  as  I  could  and  as  well  as  I 
was  able.  Called  a  meeting  for  the  Sabbath,  June  27,  intending 
to  remain  but  a  few  days.  Our  hearts  were  gladdened  by  the 
response  to  our  invitation  and  the  evident  relish  for  the  word  of 
God.  We  came  together  in  the  evening  and  God  poured  out  His 
Spirit.  Souls  began  to  ask  the  way  to  eternal  life.  Meetings  were 
then  announced  for  an  indefinite  period;  and  as  night  after  night 
brought  a  crowded  house,  I  saw  it  was  best  to  stay  until  the  work 
was  finished.  For  five  weeks  I  labored  with  this  church,  visited  the 
baptismal  waters  four  Sabbaths,  and  had  the  great  blessing  of 
leading  many  to  the  Saviour.  Result  of  the  meeting:  Baptized, 
nineteen;  received  by  letter,  four;  by  experience,  one;  organized  a 
Sunday  school  of  seventy-eight  members;  raised  for  State  Conven- 
tion, $16  in  money;  also  secured  the  entire  dismissal  of  old  difiicul- 
ties  and  promise  of  future  cooperation  with  this  body;  raised  $40 


Mt. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  495 

for  library  books  and  received  one  hundred  and  one  volumes  of 
very  interesting  books  from  our  great  publication  society;  raised 
$10  more  for  Sunday  school  literature,  which  I  insisted  upon  should 
be  received  from  the  same  great  society;  and  left  the  school  in 
active  operation  with  a  corps  of  competent  teachers." 

He  introduced  to  the  church  Geo.  H.  Page,  of  Montreal,  who 
subsequently  became  their  pastor.  Of  this  work  he  says,  "The 
work  with  this  church  has  thoroughly  convinced  me  of  this  fact: 
Churches  that  have  grown  weak  and  refused  to  aid  the  State  Con- 
vention, can  be  reached  aad  brought  to  a  paying  basis  only  in  the 
same  proportion  as  they  increase  in  spiritual  life.  A  revived 
church  will  give  way  to  the  needs  of  the  Gospel.  I  consider  it 
a  useless  task  for  your  agent  to  present  the  needs  of  this  body  to  a 
weak  and  spiritless  church.  To  reach  them  preach  the  living  Gos- 
pel in  a  living  way,  and  then  the  money  needed  to  carry  on  the 
Convention  work  will  be  furnished.  Another  fact  is  the  necessity 
of  careful  nursing  of  a  work  begun  in  these  weak  churches.  I  am 
aware  of  the  fact  that  fault  has  been  found  ^v^th  the  prolongation  of 
my  stay  at  Enosburg.  I  went  there  to  do  the  work  I  was  sent  to 
do,  and  had  I  remained  but  a  week  or  two  I  could  not  have  made 
this  report.  To  resurrect  a  church  takes  time  and  hard  work,  and 
any  other  method  employed  by  this  Board  will  prove  disastrous 
to  both  the  Convention  and  the  missionary,  whoever  he  is. " 

After  leaving  Enosburg  he  made  short  stays  in  North  Troy 
and  Jay,  finding  that  they  were  contemplating  uniting  these  two 
fields  under  one  pastor,  he  commended  the  step.  "Better  for  a 
weak  church  to  clasp  hands  with  another  weak  church  and  try  to 
support  a  strong  man,  than  for  a  weak  church  to  try  to  support  a 
weak  man."  He  studied  the  complexities  of  the  conditions  at 
Richford,  Berkshire,  East  Franklin,  Essex  Junction  and  Fairhaven. 
At  Montgomery  he  held  a  series  of  meetings  and  laid  the  founda- 
tion for  a  revival  that  he  was  permitted  to  share  in  the  following 
year,  when  fifty-one  were  added  to  the  Baptist  church  there, 
twenty  or  more  with  the  Congregational,  and  some  to  the  Metho- 
dist. Most  of  the  additions  to  the  Montgomery  church  were 
adults,  and  long  residents  of  the  community,  bringing  with  them  a 
strong  influence  for  future  prosperity. 


496  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

The  zeal  and  enthusiasm  with  which  Mr.  MacGeorge  entered 
upon  his  important  work,  he  maintained  throughout  the  lengthened 
period  of  his  service.  The  temporal  and  spiritual  interests  of  the 
aided  churches  received  his  unremitting  care.  In  the  report  of  the 
Board  in  1893,  special  mention  was  made  of  his  work.  For  seven 
years  and  three  months  he  served  the  Convention  as  State  mis- 
sionary%  and  the  Board  was  a  unit  in  thinking  that  he  was  an  in- 
strumentality used  and  blessed  of  God.  During  the  years  of  his 
work  he  visited  and  labored  with  sixty-five  churches.  With  fifty- 
seven  of  these  he  held  revival  services,  varying  from  four  days  to 
five  weeks  with  each.  In  the  summer  of  1892,  he  made  a  tour  of  the 
State,  spending  three  months,  traveling  two  thousand  miles,  visit- 
ing eighty-five  churches  and  presenting  Convention  stems  to 
six  thousand,  five  hundred  people.  "  In  summer's  heat  and  winter 's 
cold  he  has  gone  up  and  down  these  valleys  and  on  these  hills  and 
we  have  all  been  made  glad  by  his  coming;  we  have  received  him  as 
God 's  messenger  to  our  churches,  and  we  do  assuredly  know  that 
at  the  last  many  shall  be  found  who  will  affirm  that  his  was  the 
human  instrumentality  through  which  they  were  led  to  see  the  Lord 
Jesus  as  their  personal  Saviour.  To  many  pastors  and  churches 
he  has  been  the  welcome  counsellor,  who  has  helped  them  through 
many  a  difficulty,  and  we  cheerfully  award  him  our  commenda- 
tion and  hearty  good  will  and  christian  fellowship. " 

He  was  re-elected  to  his  position  in  1893,  and  spent  the  time 
until  February  with  the  churches  in  St.  Albans,  Bellows  Falls, 
Saxtons  River,  Brandon  and  Bennington,  beginning  his  work  in 
the  latter  place  during  the  week  of  prayer.  After  seven  weeks  of 
special  meetings  the  Bennington  church  requested  the  Board  to 
release  the  missionary  to  finish  the  work  begun,  and  the  request 
was  granted.  Ninety  were  added  to  the  church  by  baptism  and 
letter,  and  all  departments  of  the  work  were  quickened.  In 
September  the  missionary  sent  in  his  resignation  to  take  effect 
October  1 . 

The  Board  adopted  this  minute,  expressive  of  its  appreciation 
of  the  labors  of  Mr.  MacGeorge: 

"Desiring  to  place  on  record  some  expression  of  our  apprecia- 
tion of  the  consecrated  and  excellent  work  of  our  brother.  Rev.  A. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  497 

MacGeorge,  who  had  heard  a  call  which  he  believed  to  be  of  God, 
to  give  himself  wholly  to  the  work  of  an  evangelist,  and  therefore, 
to  decline  a  further  appointment  to  the  office  of  State  Missionary 
of  the  Convention,  it  seems  eminently  fitting  that  this  minute  be 
entered  upon  the  records  of  the  Board  of  the  Convention.  Rev. 
A.  MacGeorge,  having  served  the  Convention  as  its  missionary  for 
more  than  seven  years  past  with  distinguished  fidelity  and  devo- 
tion; and  God's  abundant  blessing  having  resulted  in  such  vast 
good  to  the  churches  throughout  the  State,  we  desire  to  express 
the  sentiment  that,  while  we  part  with  him  most  reluctantly,  we 
will  yet  pray  that  in  the  sphere  of  service  into  which  he  enters  he 
may  be  blessed  in  even  greater  degree  than  in  his  greatly  successful 
work  among  us.  We  earnestly  commend  him  to  the  fullest  con- 
fidence of  the  churches  everywhere,  and  do  assure  our  beloved 
brother  that  our  earnest  prayer  and  heart-felt  interest  will  follow  him 
in  his  new  work." 

The  Convention  cordially  adopted  this  minute  of  the  Board. 

It  would  be  difficult  to  sum  up  adequately  the  progress  made 
in  this  decade.  Added  churches  grew  stronger,  some  of  them  com- 
ing to  independence  after  many  years  of  partial  dependence  upon 
the  Convention,  notably  the  churches  in  Montpelier,  Newport, 
Richford  and  West  Randolph.  The  Barre  church  was  organized 
and  entered  upon  a  most  promising  career. 

At  the  close  of  this  period  the  Convention  was  assisting  vnth. 
its  funds  twenty -nine  churches,  a  larger  number  than  ever  before. 
The  permanent  fund  had  increased  from  $16,365  to  $20,585. 

The  executive  committee  of  the  board  of  trustees  carry 
a  responsibility  heavier  than  that  which  is  felt  by  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  Board.  The  work  of  the  State  missionary  and  the  mis- 
sionary pastors  is  always  under  their  direct  control,  and  much  de- 
pends upon  their  wisdom  and  management.  During  the  whole  of 
the  decade  under  consideration  Col.  J.  J.  Estey,  of  Brattleboro,  was 
president  of  the  Board  and  chairman  of  the  executive  committee. 
To  the  Convention  work  he  gave  unsparingly  of  his  time  and 
thought  and  means.  He  was  always  in  intimate,  friendly  relations 
with  the  missionary,  and  in  warm  sympathy  with  the  weaker 
churches  and  their  pastors.     Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald,  of  Wallingford, 


498  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

was  continuously  secretary  of  the  Board  and  a  member  of  the 
executive  committee.  His  acquaintance  with  the  churches  and 
pastors  was  probably  more  extensive  and  intimate  than  any  other 
person  on  the  Board.  He  gave  careful  study  to  all  the  details  of 
the  work,  and  much  weight  was  given  to  his  judgment  when  diffi- 
cult and  delicate  problems  were  under  discussion.  For  a  few  years, 
Guy  C.  Noble,  of  St.  Albans,  and  Rev.  R.  L.  Olds,  of  Ludlow,  were 
influential  members.  The  death  of  Mr.  Noble  and  the  removal 
from  the  State  of  Mr.  Olds,  were  losses  seriously  felt.  Deacon 
Willard  Crane,  of  Burlington,  Hon.  \Y.  W.  Stickney,  of  Ludlow, 
and  Rev.  E.  A.  Herring,  of  Brandon,  each  possessed  peculiar  quali- 
fications for  the  work  of  the  executive  committee  and  they  heartily 
cooperated  with  the  other  members. 

1896-1900 

Early  in  the  year  1895,  the  Board  appointed  the  Rev.  Thomas 
Cull  its  State  missionary  at  a  salary  of  $1,200,  and  expenses.  Mr. 
Cull  entered  upon  his  work  in  January,  and  for  about  three  years, 
in  his  own  quiet,  judicious,  winning  way,  sought  the  good  of  the 
churches.  He  gave  to  the  Convention  work  the  benefit  of  ripe 
experience,  mature  judgment  and  sincere  devotion.  But  the  Con- 
vention had  entered  upon  a  brief  period  of  financial  depression  and, 
in  1897,  the  Board  decided,  for  financial  reasons,  to  dispense  with 
the  services  of  the  missionary;  and,  at  a  public  meeting  of  the 
Board,  on  Tuesday  morning  of  the  Convention  day,  in  Chester, 
the  follo"wing  was  adopted : 

"  In  view  of  the  high  christian  character,  carefulness  of  deport- 
ment, judiciousness  of  action  and  esteemed  services  of  our  bro- 
ther. Rev.  Thomas  Cull,  during  the  years  that  he  has  been  the 
missionary  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention, 

''Resolved,  that  it  is  with  sincere  desire  and  heart-felt  regret 
that  the  Board,  on  account  of  the  stringency  that  is  upon  our 
treasury,  feels  its  inabliity  to  reappoint  him  as  the  missionary  of 
this  body. " 

Rev.  Thomas  Cull  was  bom  in  England,  in  1835,  and  came  to 
America  in  1854.     He  worked  at  shoemaking  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  till 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  499 

1855,  and  joined  the  Fifth  Street  Baptist  church  by  a  letter  brought 
from  England.  Rev.  James  Warren  D.  D.,  afterward  secretary 
of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union,  was  then  pastor  of  the 
church.  Mr.  Cull  was  a  modest,  retiring  young  man,  yet  Dr. 
Warren  picked  him  out  as  one  who  ought  to  preach  the  Gospel. 
Dr.  Warren  told  him  that  he  did  not  suppose  that  anyone  else 
would  think  he  was  adapted  to  the  work,  but  that  made  no  differ- 
ence. When  Dr.  Warren  had  an  opinion,  he  did  not  stop  to  inquire 
what  other  people's  opinions  were,  but  held  fast  to  his  own.  He 
told  the  young  brother,  also,  that  he  believed  he  had  longings  him- 
self for  the  public  work  of  the  ministry,  and  in  this  the  doctor  was 
correct. 

Mr.  Cull  took  a  course  in  college  and  theology,  mostly  at 
Madison  University,  and  settled  as  pastor  first  in  Malone,  N.  Y., 
in  1862,  one  year  before  closing  his  theological  course.  Rev.  John 
Peddie  supplied  the  church  while  Mr.  Cull  was  finishing  his  studies. 
This  pastorate  continued  four  years,  after  which  he  went  to  Adams 
Village,  N.  Y.,  and  to  the  Tabernacle  church,  Albany,  two  years 
each.  Then  he  went  to  Stillwater,  N.  Y.,  where  a  fine  new  church 
was  built.  There  were  frequent  baptisms  in  all  these  churches. 
The  Stillwater  pastorate  lasted  between  three  and  four  years. 
From  Stillwater  he  went  to  Middletown,  Ohio,  and  remained  be- 
tween six  and  seven  years,  and  from  there  to  Greenwich,  N.  Y., 
remaining  there  over  fourteen  years,  baptizing  three  hundred  and 
thirty  candidates  during  the  time.  The  Middletown  church  was 
also  frequently  blessed  with  tokens  of  divine  favor.  Mr.  Cull  en- 
tered on  the  work  of  missionary  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention, January  1,  1895. 

At  the  session  at  Bristol  in  1896,  for  the  first  time  since  1885, 
the  Convention  entered  upon  a  new  year  with  a  debt  of  $1,520. 
Retrenchment  seemed  necessary.  Five  churches  relieved  the  Con- 
vention materially,  by  attempting  to  carry  on  their  work  without 
assistance.  The  number  of  aided  churches  was  reduced  to  twenty- 
seven,  and  the  appropriations  were  reduced  below  the  usual 
amounts.  Gradually  the  debt  was  cancelled,  and,  in  1899,  the 
Convention  treasury  was  once  more  free  from  debt.  Meanwhile, 
the  permanent  fund  had  been  increased  by  bequests,  $3,606. 


500  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Some  advanced  steps  were  taken  at  this  period.  In  1896, 
after  an  address  by  the  Rev.  T.  J.  Morgan, D.  D.,  upon  "The  New 
Plan  of  Cooperation  in  Christian  Beneficence."  a  committee  was 
appointed  of  seven  brethren,  to  cooperate  with  the  Commission 
of  Systematic  Benefience,  created  at  Asbury  Park,  in  May,  1896. 
The  committee  consisted  of  Rev.  D.  D.  Owen,  Ludlow;  Rev. 
C.  R.  B.  Dodge,  Bellows  Falls;  Rev.  L.  D.  Temple,  Brattleboro; 
Mrs.  S.  A.  Andrews,  Vergennes;  Miss  Abby  Baldwin,  Ludlow; 
J.  J.  Estey,  Brattleboro;  John  N.  Feasey,  Rutland.  This  was  the 
beginning  of  that  special  educational  and  inspirational  work  in  the 
line  of  Systematic  Beneficence,  which  has  been  continued  since, 
and  which  must  be  regarded  as  an  important  branch  of  Convention 
work,  essential  to  its  highest  success. 

In  1899,  the  Convention  observed  its  seventy-fifth  anniversary 
at  Brandon,  and  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D.,  delivered  an  his- 
torical address,  which  was  ordered  printed  in  the  minutes. 

At  this  session  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald  was  formally  recognized 
as  the  historian  of  the  Convention  by  the  following  vote : 

"Whereas,  the  Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society  has  by 
unanimous  vote  asked  T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D.,  to  enter  at  once  upon 
the  preparation  of  a  reliable  and  authentic  history  of  Vermont 
Baptists  with  a  view  to  publication  and  dissemination  of  said  his- 
tory; therefore 

"Resolved,  that  this  Convention  endorses  the  action  of  the 
Historical  Society  in  this  matter;  and 

"  Resolved,  that  this  Convention  approves  the  raising  of  a  sum 
not  to  exceed  $300  for  defraying  the  expenses  of  the  preparation  of 
such  a  history,  and  appoints  Rev.  R.  Nott,  J.  J.  Townsend,  D.  D., 
and  Rev.  \V.  A.  Kinzie  a  committee  to  have  charge  of  raising  the 
same. " 

The  attention  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Missionary  So- 
ciety and  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society  was  called  to 
Vermont  as  a  promising  home  mission  field,  and  as  a  result,  in 
1898,  the  Italian  mission  in  Barre  was  begun  under  the  leadership 
of  A.  B.  Bellondi.  The  opening  of  this  mission,  and  the  coopera- 
tion of  the  Convention  in  the  work  among  the  foreigners  of  the 
State,  was  a  long  advance  step  in  its  important  work. 


William  A.  Davison,  D.  D. 

Secretary  of  Convention  Board 
Superintendent  of  Missions 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  501 

In  1899,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  represent  this  body 
in  the  Anti-saloon  League  work  in  the  State.  Rev.  W.  H.  H. 
Avery,  D.  D.,  Rev.  W.  S.  Roberts,  D.  D.,  and  Rev.  F.  E.  Marble, 
Ph.D.,  were  this  committee.  Later  the  appointment  by  the  League 
of  C.  J.  Ferguson,  of  Burlington,  as  its  State  superintendent, 
brought  this  work  still  closer  to  the  Convention,  and  it  has 
been  a  stanch  supporter  of  that  important  work  ever  since. 

A  committee  on  Denominational  Comity  was  appointed  at  the 
same  session,  consisting  of  Rev.  Gibbs  Braislin,  of  Rutland,  Deacon 
J.  J.  Estey,  Brattleboro,  and  Rev.  C.  R.  B.  Dodge,  of  Bellows 
Falls.  This  initiated  a  department  of  effort  from  which  much  was 
expected,  and  comparatively  little  has  resulted. 

1900-1912 

Rev.  W.  a.  Davison,  D.  D.,  Evangelist,  Superintendent  of 
Missions,  Secretary  of  the  Board 

With  the  beginning  of  the  twentieth  century  the  Convention 
entered  upon  a  period  of  unprecedented  activity  and  development. 
The  anniversary  was  held  that  year  with  the  church  in  Brattle- 
boro. The  most  eventful  action  reported  by  the  Board  that  year 
was  the  appointment,  at  the  February  meeting,  of  Rev.  W.  A. 
Davison,  as  evangelist,  at  a  salary  of  $50  a  month  and  expenses. 
Mr.  Davison  had  attended  Brown  University  two  years,  and  spent 
three  years  in  Colgate  Theological  School,  graduating  from  that 
institution  in  1896.  He  had  served  as  pastor  of  the  Calvary  Bap- 
tist church  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  and  also  at  Montpelier,  Vermont,  and 
had  given  evidence  of  special  qualifications  in  him  for  the  work  in 
which  Mr.  MacGeorge  and  Dr.  Cull  had  been  engaged.  In  1905, 
he  received  the  degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity  from  Middlebury  Col- 
lege. Immediately  upon  his  appointment  by  the  Convention,  Mr. 
Davison  entered  upon  his  work  as  evangelist,  and  during  the  eight 
months  before  the  Convention  met,  he  held  special  meetings  with 
thirteen  churches,  and  visited  thirty-six  fields,  becoming  quickly 
acquainted  with  the  needs  of  the  mission  churches.  A  remarkable 
expansion  in  the  conception  of  the  work  of  the  State  Convention 


502  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

marked  the  beginning  of  the  twentieth  eentui^.  It  no  longer 
divided  the  churches  into  the  dependent  and  the  self-supporting, 
limiting  its  care  to  the  weak  and  dependent  ones,  but  it  came  to  re- 
gard the  larger  churches,  even,  as  needing  its  fostering  care,  that 
they  might  continue  strong  and  be  incited  to  missionary  activity. 
It  began  to  define  the  State  Convention  as  the  Baptists  organized 
for  work.  Accordingly  there  was  a  corresponding  change  in  the 
conception  of  the  offices  and  duties  to  which  Dr.  Davison  was  called 
in  1900.  He  was  then  regarded  as  State  evangehst  and  his  duties 
were  described  by  that  name.  As  the  missionary  enterprises  of  the 
Convention  broadened,  his  work  ceased  to  be  exclusively  evange- 
listic. Administrative  duties  claimed  a  large  share  of  attention,  and 
special  evangelists  were  appointed  for  that  part  of  the  work,  and 
although  Dr.  Davison  did  not  give  up  evangelistic  work,  yet  the 
title,  superintendent  of  missions,  became  the  title  appropriate 
to  his  work.  The  need  of  his  presence  and  influence  in  the  Board 
becoming  evident,  he  was  chosen  a  member,  and,  later,  the  secre- 
tary of  that  body,  and  became  designated  by  the  double  title, 
superintendent  of  missions  and  secretary  of  the  Board.  A  large 
amount  of  administrative  work  naturally  fell  to  this  office,  financial 
problems,  the  raising  of  funds,  the  planning  of  wide  educational 
and  missionary  measures,  besides  the  care  of  all  the  churches. 
The  raising  of  salaries  for  pastors  of  mission  churches,  the  improve- 
ment of  church  property,  the  securing  of  titles  with  reversionary 
clause,  insuring  to  the  Convention  valuable  property  in  case  a 
church  becomes  extinct,  assistance  in  finding  pastors  for  vacant 
pulpits  and  parishes,  roll  calls  and  anniversaries,  and  countless 
other  duties  and  obligations,  gradually  crowded  upon  the  incum- 
bent of  this  office  of  superintendent  and  secretary  till  the  physical 
powers  of  a  man  of  well-nigh  gigantic  strength  were  often  overtaxed. 
The  increase  in  permanent  fmids  rendered  it  possible  for  the 
Convention  to  broaden  its  missionary  work.  At  the  beginning  of 
this  decade  the  permanent  fund  was  $24,791.99.  The  following 
table  exhibits  its  remarkable  increase  from  year  to  year,  partially 
by  personal  bequests  of  ^'ermont  Baptists,  anxious  to  prolong  their 
beneficent  work  for  Vermont  churches,  through  the  Convention, 


HISTORY   OF   THE    BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  503 

and  especially  by  the  gradual  payment  of  the  Ford  bequest,  the 
announcement  of  which  made  eventful  the  session  of  1900 : 

1900 $    24,791.99 

1901 49,480.89 

1902 89,372.55 

1903 111,746.19 

1904 131,106.70 

1905 151,168.57 

1906 171,020.08 

1907 195,205.56 

1908 211,066.61 

1909 212,266.95 

1910 213,462.51 

1911 215,962.51 

1912 :  .  .  .     218,601.51 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board,  in  Brattleboro,  in  1900,  preliminary 
steps  were  taken  for  the  disposition  of  a  portion  of  the  Ford  legacy. 
At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Board,  in  April,  the  following  action  was 
taken : 

Vermont  Academy 

"For  several  years  this  school,  founded  by  the  direct  instru- 
mentality of  this  Convention,  has  been  in  financial  difficulty. 
Building  faster  than  funds  were  procured  for  the  same,  the  under- 
taking to  give  the  best  at  a  price  below  what  it  could  be  afforded 
at,  resulted  in  serious  deficits  for  several  successive  years,  and  to 
crown  the  misfortunes,  the  death  of  a  liberal  friend  who  had  been 
relied  upon  to  extricate  the  school  from  its  financial  embarrass- 
ments, all  resulted  in  complications  that  threatened  the  longer 
existence  of  the  school.  Influenced  by  these  considerations  and 
believing  that  Vermont  Academy  was  such  a  part  of  our  work  as 
to  justify  the  assistance  thus  rendered,  the  board  passed  the  follow- 
ing vote: 

"That  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State 
Convention  be  authorized  to  loan  to  the  Vermont  Academy  from 
the  Ford  Special  Fund,  a  sum  not  exceeding  twenty -five  thousand 


504  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

I 

dollars  ($25,000),  for  the  term  of  ten  years,  with  interest,  at  the 
rate  of  four  per  cent  per  annum,  if  said  Academy  will  secure  the 
same  by  first  mortgage  on  all  its  real  estate  in  Vermont,  and  keep 
the  buildings  thereon  well  insured  for  the  benefit  of  said  Conven- 
tion as  its  interest  may  appear. 

That  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars  ($1,000)  annually  for 
the  next  ten  years,  is  hereby  appropriated  for  the  support  of  the 
Vermont   Academy." 

The  Barre  Church 

"It  is  well  knowTi  that  this  church  has  been  struggling  for  years 
with  a  heavy  debt  incurred  in  building.  While  the  church  has 
had  many  evidences  of  prosperity  and  healthy  gro^\i:h,  yet  this 
burden  of  debt  has  been  felt  as  an  hinderance,  which  should  be 
removed  at  the  earliest  possible  moment.  At  its  meeting  in  June, 
the  Board  passed  the  following: 

"  Resolved,  that  the  Board  hereby  appropriate  from  the  Ford 
Special  Fund,  $5,000,  to  apply  as  a  subscription  upon  the  debts 
of  the  First  Baptist  church  of  Barre — on  condition  that  the  church 
shall  secure  pledges,  acceptable  to  the  Board,  for  a  sufficient  sum 
above  that  amount  to  cancel  its  indebtedness,  and  that  said  ap- 
propriation shall  be  paid  in  sums  proportionate  to  each  $500  paid 
in  upon  the  pledges  secured  by  the  church. " 

At  the  session  of  the  Convention  in  1910,  the  following  resolu- 
tion was  adopted : 

"  Whereas,  on  April  19,  1901,  the  Board  of  Trustees  of  the  Ver- 
mont Baptist  State  Convention,  by  vote  duly  recorded,  loaned  the 
Vermont  Academy  from  the  Ford  Fund  the  sum  of  Twenty-Five 
Thousand  Dollars  ($25,000)  secured  by  first  mortgage  upon  all  its 
real  estate  for  the  term  of  ten  years; 

"  Whereas,  the  said  loan  becomes  due  and  payable  wnthin  the 
next  year  and  it  is  deemed  just  and  wise  thus  early  to  determine  the 
attitude  of  the  Board  in  reference  to  the  payment  or  extension  of 
said  loan;  therefore 

"Resolved,  that  it  is  the  desire  of  the  Board  that  the  loan  be 
paid  when  due;  but  if  the  necessities  of  the  Academy  require  that 
an  extension  be  granted,  then  the  Finance  Committee  of  the  Board 


Hon.  J,  J.  EsTEY,  Brattleboro 

General  of  State  Militia 

President  of  Convention  Board,  1885 — 1901 

Born,  1845— Died,  190^2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  505 

are  authorized  to  extend  the  time  of  payment  of  the  present  mort- 
gage loan  for  a  period  not  exceeding  three  years,  conditioned  upon 
the  punctual  payment  of  interest  thereon  at  the  rate  of  four  per 
cent  per  annum,  payable  semi-annually,  with  the  understanding 
that  the  principal  sum  shall  be  raised  and  repaid  within  that 
period. " 

The  above  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Board 
at  a  meeting  held  on  Tuesday,  September  27,  and  then  submitted 
by  Secretary  Davison  to  the  Convention  on  the  morning  of  the 
28th  with  his  report,  and  with  his  report  were  unanimously  adopted. 

The  Academy,  a  little  later,  having  bonded  its  indebtedness, 
guaranteeing  payment  of  interest  on  the  same  by  the  income  of 
its  invested  funds,  cancelled  its  debt  to  the  Convention,  restoring 
to  the  treasury  $25,000,^ — as  a  part  of  its  permanent  fund  for  the 
general  use  of  the  Convention. 

On  March  2, 1902,  Julius  J.  Estey,  long  president  of  the  Board, 
"fell  asleep,"  and  the  burden  of  his  office  was  transferred  to  Rev. 
Gibbs  Braislin,  of  Rutland.  Affectionate  memorial  exercises 
marked  the  anniversaries  in  1902.  He  was  honored  in  life,  alike 
in  church  and  civic  affairs,  as  a  true  man  and  a  consistent  christian. 
He  was  greatly  beloved  in  the  Convention. 

In  1903,  another  efficient  officer  of  the  Board  passed  away. 
Deacon  D.  M.  White,  who,  for  sixteen  years  had  been  treasurer, 
serving  always  with  fidelity. 

In  1904,  January  23,  Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald,  secretary  of  the 
Board,  died  at  his  home  in  North  Springfield.  From  the  year 
1877,  till  the  time  of  his  death,  he  was  continuously  upon  the  Board 
of  this  Convention,  interested  in  its  mission,  thoroughly  conver- 
sant with  its  work  in  every  detail,  and  laborious  in  its  behalf. 
From  1881  till  1902,  he  was  secretary  of  the  board  of  trustees. 
The  records  of  this  board  are  among  his  best  memorials. 

Evangelism  became  a  dominant  feature  of  this  period  under 
the  energetic  leadership  of  Dr.  Davison.  In  1903,  circulars  were 
sent  out  to  all  the  churches  in  Vermont,  requesting  them  to  hold 
special  meetings  for  the  deepening  of  spiritual  life  and  the  saving 
of  souls.  Thirty-five  churches  held  meetings  every  night  for  two 
or  more  weeks,  and  in  every  instance  the  church  was  quickened, 


506  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  in  most  cases  converts  won.     Many  pastors  willingly  left  their 
own  fields  and  assisted  their  brethren  in  their  special  meetings. 

In  1902,  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  offered 
to  cooperate  with  the  Convention  in  the  employment  of  evangelists, 
on  the  same  basis  as  then  existed  for  work  among  the  foreigners. 
Encouraged  by  this  generous  offer,  the  Convention  determined 
to  enter  upon  evangelism  as  a  distinct  branch  of  its  work. 

In  December,  1904,  Dr.  Davison  planned  for  eleven  confer- 
ences, with  morning,  afternoon,  and  evening  sessions  in  all 
excepting  two.  These  conferences  began  Tuesday,  December  6, 
and  were  held  in  the  following  places:  North  Bennington,  Brattle- 
boro.  Bellows  Falls,  Ludlow,  Poultney,  Rutland,  Bristol,  Burling- 
ton, St.  Albans,  Montpelier,  and  St.  Johnsbury.  The  speakers 
from  outside  who  assisted  were  Drs.  Cook,  McBride,  Witter, 
Cummings,  and  Spaulding.  The  offerings  taken  at  the  conferences 
practically  covered  the  traveling  expenses  of  these  brethren,  so 
that  the  only  expense  to  the  Convention  was  the  printing  and  dis- 
tribution of  the  programs. 

In  November,  1905,  Rev.  C.  C.  Maxfield  of  Springfield,  Mass., 
a  sweet-spirited,  godly,  consecrated  minister  of  the  Gospel,  began 
work  as  State  evangelist,  but,  after  laboring  seven  weeks,  was 
stricken  down  vrith  serious  illness,  and  compelled  to  return  to  his 
home  in  Springfield.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  A.  Leger  were  secured  and 
labored  faithfully  till  spring  with  good  results. 

May  1,  1906,  Rev.  Thomas  N.  Hafer,  of  Mansfield,  Mass., 
became  State  evangelist,  and  continued  in  this  position  till  April 
1,1910. 

In  1906,  two  evangelistic  conferences  were  held,  three  days 
each,  with  Dr.  A.  C.  Dixon,  of  Boston,  as  leader,  and  principal 
speaker.  One  of  these  conferences  was  held  in  Brattleboro,  and 
the  other  in  Burlington  in  April,  these  places  seeming  best  adapted 
to  reach  all  the  ministers  and  churches  in  the  State. 

Ip  1907,  ten  missionary  conferences  were  held,  and  Dr.  Davi- 
son spent  as  much  time  as  possible  in  evangelistic  work. 

After  nearly  four  years  of  faithful  and  successful  labor  as  State 
evangelist,  Rev.  N.  T.  Hafer  resigned,  and  accepted  the  pastorate 
of  the  Trinity  Baptist  church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.     His  preaching. 


mSTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  507 

singing,  and  personal  work  were  very  fruitful  of  good  to  the  Bap- 
tist churches  of  Vermont.  Rev.  Henrj^  R.  Meyers  was  secured 
as  his  successor.  In  1911,  Mr.  Meyers  held  evangelistic  meetings 
at  Newport  Center,  East  Poultney,  North  Springfield,  Burlington, 
Perkinsville,  East  Enosburg,  East  Hardwick,  Johnson,  Barre, 
St.  Johnsbury,  East  Charlotte,  Norton,  West  Rutland,  Cavendish, 
Chester,  Passumpsic,  Groton,  Georgia  Plain,  and  Panton,  In 
1912,  he  held  meetings  in  twenty -three  places,  preaching  two  hun- 
dred and  fifty-seven  sermons,  making  four  hundred  and  fifteen 
calls,  which  resulted  in  two  hundred  and  fifty-four  professions  of 
conversion,  and  one  hundred  and  one  baptisms,  which  is  more  than 
one  third  of  all  the  baptisms  reported  in  the  State. 

In  another  direction  the  work  of  the  State  Convention  broad- 
ened. The  need  of  work  among  the  foreigners  in  Vermont  be- 
came too  evident  to  be  neglected,  and  was  cheerfully  undertaken. 
The  population  of  Vermont,  by  nationalities,  in  1900,  was  as  follows: 
Austria,  two  hundred  and  thirty-seven;  Bohemia,  twenty-seven; 
Canada  English,  ten  thousand,  six  hundred  and  sixteen;  Canada 
French,  fourteen  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  twenty -four;  Den- 
mark, two  hundred  and  twenty -five;  England,  two  thousand,  four 
hundred  and  forty-seven;  France,  one  hundred  and  seventy-one; 
Germany,  eight  hundred  and  eighty -two;  Holland,  twenty;  Hun- 
gary, one  hundred  and  twenty-eight;  Ireland,  seven  thousand,  four 
hundred  and  fifty -three;  Italy,  two  thousand,  one  hundred  and 
fifty-four;  Mexico,  three;  Norw^ay,  fifty-four;  Poland,  German, 
eighteen;  Poland,  Russian,  three  hundred  and  twenty-eight; 
Poland,  others,  one  hundred  and  thirteen;  Russia,  three  hundred 
and  seventy-seven;  Scotland,  two  thousand,  forty -nine;  Sweden, 
one  thousand,  twenty;  Switzerland,  ninety-eight;  Wales,  one  thou- 
sand, fifty-six;  all  others,  four  hundred  and  thirty-seven.  Total, 
foreign,  forty -four  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  forty-seven; 
native,  two  hundred  and  ninety-eight  thousand,  eight  hundred  and 
ninety-four.  Total,  three  hundred  and  forty -three  thousand, 
six  hundred  and  forty -one. 

In  view  of  the  facts,  the  obligation  of  Baptists  to  the  foreigners 
of  Vermont  became  apparent  and  pressing.  The  superintendent  of 
missions  urged  the  importance  of  this  work. 


508  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

Italian  Mission 

The  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  founded  an 
Italian  mission  in  Barre,  about  1900,  placing  Rev.  A.  B.  Bellondi  at 
the  head  of  it,  and  soon  began  to  look  to  the  Convention  for  co- 
operation. This  society  also  offered,  in  1902,  to  contribute  $100 
toward  the  support  of  Rev.  Daniel  Gyrtzell,  Swedish  mis- 
sionary, at  Barre  and  Montpelier,  for  the  year  from  June,  1902, 
provided  the  Convention  contribute  an  equal  amount.  They  were 
also  willing  to  cooperate  with  the  Convention  for  the  support  of  a 
French  missionary  to  labor  where  the  French  are  thickly  settled  in 
our  State.  These  offers  were  accepted,  and  the  Convention  en- 
tered upon  this  important  branch  of  work.  After  attempting  to 
manage  the  Italian  mission  jointly  with  the  Home  Mission  Society, 
the  impossibility  of  the  method  became  evident,  and  the  Conven- 
tion declined  to  have  a  divided  responsibility  in  the  control  of  the 
mission,  and  it  was  transferred  wholly  to  the  management  of  the 
Board,  through  its  superintendent  of  missions.  The  chapel, 
which  had  been  under  construction  for  some  time,  Mr.  Bellondi 
was  unable  to  complete,  and  after  his  dismissal,  the  work  was 
placed  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  Davison,  who,  •svnth 
characteristic  energy,  brought  the  enterprise  to  completion,  and 
the  cha{)el  was  dedicated.  Rev.  G.  B.  Castellini  was  appointed 
over  this  mission,  which  promptly  gave  promising  signs  of  progress. 

In  1911,  Mr.  Castellini  bapti/ed  three,  one  of  whom  was  a 
young  man  who  has  entered  the  Italian  dejiartment  in  Colgate 
University,  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  studying  for  the  Gospel  ministry. 

Swedish  Mission 

In  1902  and  1903,  Rev.  Daniel  Gyrtzell,  a  Swedish  missionary, 
was  employed  among  the  Swedes  of  Barre  and  Montpelier,  but 
sorely  handicapped  liecause  he  did  not  have  adequate  financial 
support,  and  was  compelled  to  work  at  manual  labor,  in  order  to 
care  properly  for  his  family. 

In  February,  1904,  Rev.  A.  Kallgren  took  charge  of  this 
mission  and  began  a  good  work,  with  increasing  congregations. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  509 

He  continued  his  work  there  until  the  summer  of  1906,  when  he 
returned  with  his  family  to  Sweden.  The  Sunday  school,  how- 
ever, was  kept  up  and  efforts  made  to  find  a  successor  to  Pastor 
Kallgren.  After  much  effort  and  diligent  search,  a  suitable  man 
was  found  in  the  person  of  Rev.  Augustus  E.  Johnson,  who  came 
in  June,  1907,  from  Crozer  Theological  Seminary.  He  quickly 
made  for  himself  a  large  place  in  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen, 
holding  two  services  weekly  in  both  Montpelier  and  Barre,  the 
Home  ]\Iission  Society  cooperating  wdth  us  in  this  work.  He 
closed  his  work  early  the  following  spring  to  take  up  a  larger 
work  in  Pennsylvania.  One  intelligent  Swedish  woman  was 
converted  under  his  ministry  and  baptized.  Rev.  William  Kohler 
was  secured  as  leader,  in  July,  1909,— a  man  of  experience  and 
ability, — and  a  religious  interest  was  soon  awakened  and  con- 
verts led  to  baptism.  In  1910,  he  had  an  average  of  thirty-five 
at  the  preaching  services,  and  a  membership  of  twenty -five  in  the 
Sunday  school.  Three  were  baptized  and  united  with  the  First 
Baptist  church  in  Barre.  During  the  year  1911,  Mr.  Kohler 
resigned,  and  accepted  the  call  of  the  Swedish  Baptist  church  in 
Bridgeport,  Conn.,  and  Rev.  John  Bjork,  of  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  was 
secured,  and  before  the  year  closed  four  of  his  countrymen  had 
been  received  for  baptism. 

French   Mission 

In  1902,  the  Home  Mission  Society  expressed  their  willing- 
ness to  cooperate  with  the  Convention  in  the  support  of  a  mis- 
sionary among  the  French.  In  compliance  with  the  vote  of  the 
Convention  in  1903,  the  Board  employed  Rev.  L.  O.  F.  Cote  as 
evangelistic  missionary  among  the  French.  Mr.  Cote  was  edu- 
cated for  the  priesthood  and  converted  at  the  age  of  twenty -five, 
and  for  seventeen  years,  since  his  conversion,  had  been  doing 
mission  work  in  New  England  and  Canada.  He  came  to  Ver- 
mont in  November,  1903,  and  during  the  year  labored  at  North 
Bennington,  Websterville,  Fairfax,  Burlington,  West  Rutland, 
Bennington,  St.  Albans,  Montgomery  Centre,  East  Wallingford 
and  other  fields,  doing  good  work  on  each  field,  so  that  conversions 


510  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  baptism  followed  his  efforts.  He  closed  his  work  in  Vermont, 
in  April,  1906.  This  year  a  somewhat  new  policy  was  adopted. 
Concerning  this  mission  the  secretary  of  the  Board  reported: 
"Most  of  the  French  within  our  own  borders  can  speak  the  Eng- 
lish language,  and  are  to  be  won  by  personal  love  and  personal 
work,  and  it  is  intended  that  Miss  Brooks,  who  has  spent  most  of 
her  life  in  Vermont,  will  give  most  of  her  time  and  energy  to  the 
churches,  Sunday  schools,  and  communities  in  the  northern 
section  of  the  State,  where  these  French  largely  reside.  The 
labors  of  the  past  have  not  been  in  vain,  for  some  of  these  people 
have  been  reached,  brought  to  Christ,  and  are  now  members  of 
our  churches;  but  it  is  conceded  by  all  students  of  this  work  that 
it  is  not  necessary  to  talk  the  French  language  in  order  to  reach 
these  people,  and  in  fact  most  of  them  prefer  to  be  addressed  in 
English,"  Miss  Brooks  made  work  among  the  French  a  part  of 
her  mission. 

Sunday  School  Visitors  and  Personal  Workers 

In  1905,  after  much  correspondence,  and  a  visit  to  the  train- 
ing schools  in  and  around  Boston,  in  search  of  a  Simday  school 
visitor  and  personal  worker,  Superintendent  Davison  finally  se- 
cured Miss  Amy  Haskins,  who  had  been  laboring  for  the  Congrega- 
tionalists  in  this  State  several  years,  and  was  highly  recommended 
as  a  christian  woman  and  worker.  She  began  her  work  in  Novem- 
ber 15,  and  proved  an  eflScient  worker  wherever  she  went.  x\ll 
the  pastors  agree  that  this  house  to  house  and  heart  to  heart  work 
is  what  is  greatly  needed,  and  amply  repays  for  the  money  ex- 
pended. Invitations  came  from  so  many  pastors  and  Sunday 
schools  that  it  would  have  been  impossible  for  Miss  Haskins  to 
reach  them  all  within  the  year,  and  so  upon  the  advice  of  the 
executive  committee  another  personal  worker  was  secured  in 
the  person  of  Miss  Grace  Brooks,  who  for  three  years  had  been 
studying  in  the  training  school  at  Northfield,  and  came  to  us 
highly  recommended.  She  began  work  April  1,  1905,  and  con- 
tinued in  the  employ  of  the  Convention  as  one  of  its  valued  and 
successful  workers. 

Miss  Amy  Haskins  continued  her  work  till  June  1,  1906,  when 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT.  511 

she  resigned,  and  soon  was  married  to  Rev.  H.  C.  Leach,  and 
went  vidth  him  to  the  mission  field  in  Burma. 

The  pitiful  need  of  many  Vermonters  dwelling  in  districts 
remote  from  the  churches,  brought  another  pressing  obligation 
upon  the  Convention,  which  could  only  be  met  by  providing  and 
supporting  an  energetic  and  consecrated  colporteur.  On  Novem- 
ber 1,  1906,  was  to  be  held  a  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Woodstock 
Association  at  East  Wallingford,  and  Superintendent  Davison 
had  gone  do^\Ti  the  night  previous,  in  order  to  be  there  for  the 
morning  session.  He  was  entertained  at  the  home  of  Pastor  and 
Mrs.  Morse,  and,  though  the  room  was  well  ventilated  and  the 
bed  all  that  could  be  desired,  yet  he  could  not  sleep.  The  unsaved 
condition  of  a  great  multitude  of  people  back  in  our  rural  commun- 
ities was  upon  his  mind  and  heart,  and  after  much  thought  and 
prayer,  he  decided  that  if  a  certain  man  was  present  at  the  con- 
ference the  next  day  he  would  ask  him  to  assume  the  support  of  a 
colporteur  in  co-operation  with  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  who  were  willing  to  pay  one-half  of  his  salary  and  all 
expenses.  That  same  night  God  was  impressing  upon  the  heart 
of  a  man  in  Chester  to  attend  this  Conference,  and  during  the 
noon  hour,  Mr.  Davison  laid  the  matter  before  him,  with  the 
result,  that  as  he  was  about  to  step  onto  the  platform  to  speak 
on  "Prevailing  Prayer,"  a  note  was  handed  him  which  read, 
"Trot  out  your  horse  and  wagon  and  I  will  guarantee  the  salary." 
We  then  needed  some  man  to  give  $450  to  purchase  the  outfit, 
and  two  weeks  later,  in  response  to  an  appeal  made  in  Brattleboro 
by  our  beloved  brother.  Dr.  Charles  H.  Spaulding,  a  young  man, 
Mr.  J.  H.  Brink,  who  was  brought  up  in  a  rural  community  and 
knew  what  it  was  to  be  denied  religious  privileges,  went  to  his 
pastor,  Mr.  Lawson,  and  offered  to  give,  as  a  loving  memorial  to  his 
father,  who  was  so  interested  in  the  welfare  of  Vermont,  the  $450 
needed.  Thus  was  secured  the  outfit  and  the  money  needed  for 
salary,  and  now  the  work  of  finding  the  right  man  began.  Finally 
Rev.  C.  E.  Van  Schaick,  of  Ulisses,  Pa.,  was  secured.  Mr.  Van 
Schaick,  after  serving  in  this  important  position  a  year  and  a 
half,  resigned,  to  become  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church  in  PowTial, 
and  was  succeeded  by  Rev.  George  H.  Watt,  of  Barre,  formerly 
pastor  of  the  West  Rutland  church,  who  began  at  once  traversing 


512  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

the  highways  and  by-ways  of  Vermont,  working  in  sections  remote 
from  churches,  and  besides  doing  faithful  work  in  distribution  of 
Bibles  and  christian  literature,  finding  opportunity  to  do  effective 
evangelistic  work,  sometimes  alone,  oftener  in  connection  with 
the  pastor  of  some  rural  church.  In  the  years  1908  and  1909, 
Mr.  Watt  visited  forty-five  churches,  preached  261  sermons, 
visited  980  families,  sold  138  Bibles,  701  books  and  distributed 
11,700  pages  of  tracts.  During  the  \v4nter  of  1912,  he  held  evange- 
listic meetings  with  eight  churches,  and  in  almost  every  instance 
additions  by  baptisms  resulted. 

This  survey  of  the  work  of  the  Convention  partially  reveals 
the  remarkable  extension  of  Convention  work  since  the  present 
century  began.  In  the  resolutions  passed  at  the  Convention  in 
1910  is  this  reference: 

"That  we  gratefully  recognize  hereby  the  splendid  and  un- 
tiring service  of  our  efficient  superintendent  of  missions,  Dr. 
William  A.  Davison,  who  has  at  this  Convention  presented  his 
eleventh  annual  report.  We  are  constrained  by  the  strongest 
impression  of  thanksgiving  as  we  calmly  review  the  steady  gro^\'th 
of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention  during  the  past  ten 
years.  In  1900,  the  Convention  stood  alone  and  unaided  by  any 
of  our  great  missionary  and  benevolent  societies  in  any  specific 
measure.  Today,  as  for  a  number  of  years,  the  American  Baptist 
Home  Mission  Society  and  the  Publication  Society  have  co-operat- 
ed with  our  Convention  in  a  vast  amount  of  extension  work,  mak- 
ing possible,  wnthin  the  limits  of  the  last  years,  the  carrying  on  of 
a  blessed  and  fruitful  work  among  the  foreign  population  of  our 
State,  the  establishing  and  maintaining  a  work  of  the  Gospel  and 
for  Christ  among  the  Swedes,  the  Italians,  the  French,  and  backing 
up  a  splendid  work  accomplished  by  a  State  Convention  Colpor- 
teur, evangelist  and  Sunday  school  worker.  With  about  $1,500 
from  the  Home  Mission  Society  and  $450  from  the  Publication 
Society,  our  own  churches  have  been  encouraged  to  lift  hard  and 
surely  for  the  extending  of  our  borders  of  service.  In  the  last  ten 
years  the  permanent  fund  has  nearly  doubled,  aside  from  the 
gifts  of  the  Daniel  Sharp  Ford  Fund,  by  the  munificent  gifts  from 
within  our  ovm  State.  The  churches  have  been  caught  forward 
by  this  mighty  stimulus,  and  the  offerings  of  the  churches,  which 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  513 

in  1900  were  $2,400,  we  have  learned  today,  are  in  excess  of  $4,500. 
Thus  we  have  seen  the  offerings  doubled  within  the  memory  of 
many  of  our  Vermont  pastorates.  For  all  these  things  we  are 
glad  and  praise  God  that  out  of  our  owti  midst  He  has  chosen  him 
who  has  been  a  wise  leader,  counsellor  and  friend  to  the  friends, 
members  and  pastors  of  our  beloved  churches  of  Vermont." 

From  1900  to  1912,  the  number  of  special  workers  has  in- 
creased from  one  to  six  or  more.  In  1900,  twenty-nine  churches 
were  receiving  aid;  in  1912,  fifty-four  were  on  the  list.  In  1900, 
the  amount  appropriated  for  the  mission  churches  was  $3,018. 
In  1912,  the  aided  churches  received,  $7,920.  The  total  appro- 
priations of  the  Convention  increased  from  $4,746  to  $22,423. 
The  permanent  funds  increased  from  $24,791  to  $218,601.  In 
1900,  the  average  salary  of  the  missionary  pastors  was  $400  and 
house,  while  that  of  all  the  pastors  in  the  State  averaged  $550 
and  house.  In  1911,  the  average  salary  of  the  missionary  pastors 
was  $600,  while  the  average  of  all  the  pastors  in  the  State  was 
$736  and  house.  During  most  of  this  period,  the  churches  cheer- 
fully contributed  on  an  average  of  seventy-five  cents  per  resident 
member.  Successful  effort  secured  to  the  Convention  reversionary 
title  to  nearly  all  the  church  edifices  and  parsonages. 

No.  churches  aided  Amt.  Total  Exp. 

3,018 4,746 

3,775 6,716 

3,328 6,825 

3,560 7,029 

4,605 9,338 

4,430 10,537 

4,595 11,510 

6,059 14,789 

7,256 15,780 

7,216 15,789 

7,225 19,889 

7,169 22,088 

7,920 22,423 


1900 

29 

1901 

31 

1902 

32 

1903 

35 

1904 

38 

1905 

36 

1906 

37 

1907 

46 

1908 

51 

1909 

47 

1910 

55 

1911 

51 

1912 

54 

514  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

By  the  appointment  of  Secretary  Da^nson  on  the  nominating 
committee  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Convention,  and  the  election 
in  1912,  of  Vice-President  Henry  Bond  to  the  presidency  of  that 
body,  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  came  Into  a  position  of  national 
influence  in  the  denomination. 

Vermont  Baptists  promptly  and  loyally  endorsed  the  signifi- 
cant denominational  movement  that  gave  birth  to  the  Northern 
Baptist  Convention. 

The  following  resolution  voiced  the  sentiment  of  the  Con- 
vention in  1809  and  1810: 

"Resolved,  that  we  endorse  the  action  of  the  Northern  Baptist 
Convention,  at  Portland.  First,  that  Christian  Stewardship, 
wdth  special  reference  to  systematic  and  proportionate  giving, 
be  made  a  leading  feature  of  the  work  of  all  our  missionary  or- 
ganizations throughout  the  coming  year;  Second,  that  the  churches 
be  requested  to  lead  the  largest  possible  number  of  their  members 
to  form  the  habit  of  laying  aside  at  least  a  tenth  of  their  income 
for  distinctively  christian  work. 

"Resolved,  that  we  instruct  our  State  Secretary  and  Steward- 
ship Committee  to  carry  out  in  our  State  a  campaigTi  of  education 
with  the  definite  objective  that  1,000  Vermont  Baptists  be  com- 
mitted to  the  j)ractlce  of  })roportionate  giving. 

"  Resolved,  that  the  following  secretaries  in  our  several  Associa- 
tions be  appointed  by  the  Convention  to  serve  for  the  ensuing 
year:  Addison  Association,  Rev.  Thomas  Davison;  Danville,  Rev. 
G.  H.  Chambers;  Shaftsbury,  Rev.  H.  E.  Wetherbee;  Vermont 
Central,  Rev.  L.  J.  Bamberg;  Windham,  Rev.  G.  W.  Russell; 
Woodstock,  Rev.  J.  W.  Moore;   Lamoille,  Rev.  L.  L.  Holmes. 

"Resolved,  that  we  share  in  the  general  gladness  over  the 
birth  and  development  of  The  Northern  Baptist  Convention; 
that  we  note  with  satisfaction  the  evidence  of  its  power  in  stimu- 
lating and  organizing  the  benevolent  and  missionary  activities  of 
the  churches;  that  we  approve  in  general  the  Budget  Plan,  and 
commend  it  to  our  churches. 

"Resolved,  however,  in  view  of  the  wide  missionary  character 
of  the  work  of  our  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention  and  the 
imperative  need  of   the  full  amount  called  for  in  the  secretary's 


Henry  Bond 

Vice  President  of  Convention 
President  of  The  Northern  Baptist  Convention,  1912 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  515 

report,  we  suggest  that  the  Apportionment  Committee,  when 
sending  out  to  the  churches  the  apportionments  for  the  Budget, 
the  opportunity  for  emphasizing  the  needs  of  the  State  Convention 
and  of  adding  the  weight  of  their  appeal  to  the  churches  to  raise 
if  possible  the  seventy-five  cents  per  resident  member  for  the  work 
of  the  State  Convention. 

^'Resolved,  that  we  hail  with  delight  the  increasing  signs  of 
Baptist  unity  as  disclosed  in  the  organization  and  continuance  of 
the  Northern  Baptist  Convention;  that  we  acknowledge  with 
gratitude  this  new  and  divine  call  to  larger  service  for  God;  that 
we  believe  that  such  unity  will  aid  us  greatly  in  conserving  the 
missionary  fruitage  at  home  and  abroad;  and  that  we  pledge  anew 
our  loyalty  to  Jesus  Christ  who  is  thus  manifestly  leading  our 
denomination  by  a  new  and  living  way. " 

The  Committee  of  Christian  Stewardship  entered  heartily 
into  the  work,  of  which  the  following  is  a  report: 

"At  the  session  of  the  Vermont  State  Convention  a  year  ago, 
a  resolution  endorsing  the  'Standard  of  Efficiency  for  Baptist 
Churches'  as  adopted  by  the  Northern  Baptist  Convention  was 
formally  accepted.  All  the  important  features  of  the  stewardship 
work  are  here  emphasized;  and  your  committee,  in  the  firm  con- 
viction that  the  'Standard  of  Efficiency'  as  a  whole  presents  an 
excellent  working  program  applicable  to  any  church  and  making 
definitely  for  a  larger  life  and  service,  have  made  a  determined 
effort  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  attention  of  every  Baptist  church 
in  the  State.  To  this  end  we  have  had  printed  in  attractive  form 
five  thousand  copies  of  the  Standard,  with  an  appended  foot  note 
earnestly  requesting  pastors  to  present  it  to  their  people  for  adop- 
tion. From  twelve  to  twenty -five  copies,  with  the  offer  of  as 
many  more  as  should  be  needed,  were  mailed  to  every  pastor, 
with  the  exception  of  the  enterprising  few  who  had  anticipated 
the  action  of  this  committee  in  having  copies  printed  themselves 
for  their  churches.  Through  the  Associational  secretaries.  Minis- 
ter's Conferences  have  been  requested  to  discuss  it.  This  has  been 
done  by  some  with  interest  and  profit  to  our  certain  knowledge. 
Probably  in  every  ministers'  conference  in  the  State  the  subject 
has  been  introduced  at  some  time.     A  place  was  asked  for  on  the 


516  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

program  of  each  Association  for  the  presentation  and  discussion 
of  the  subject,  and  our  Superintendent  of  Missions  consented  to 
add  to  his  already  heavy  burden  of  service  that  of  presenting  the 
subject  at  these  meetings,  as  opportunity  offered.  And  Dr. 
Davison  has  had  his  opportunity,  for  some  of  the  program  com- 
mittees took  kindly  to  the  idea  and  made  place  as  requested. 
In  fact.  Dr.  Davison  this  year  has  been  the  Stewardship  committee 
in  the  field  and  we  are  duly  grateful  to  him  for  his  splendid  service 
in  this  particular.  An  ample  supply  of  the  leaflets  were  forwarded 
for  use  at  the  Associational  gatherings. 

"The  churches  adopting  the  Standard  were  requested  to 
report  the  fact  to  Dr.  Davison  and  the  number  'W'ill  doubtless  be 
given  in  his  report." 

The  Budget  Plan  was  not  only  endorsed  by  the  Convention 
by  resolutions,  but  its  secretary  and  representatives  made  special 
effort  to  instruct  the  churches  and  to  stimulate  them  to  adopt 
the  plan  and  raise  the  amount  apportioned.  In  1911,  inspirational 
institutes  were  held  in  Wilmington,  Brattleboro,  Chester,  Ben- 
nington, Poultney,  Rutland,  Vergennes,  Montpelier,  St.  Johns- 
bury,  Newport,  Hardwick,  St.  Albans  and  Burlington. 

The  Standard  of  Efficiency,  commended  by  the  Northern 
Baptist  Convention,  also  received  careful  and  cordial  attention, 
and  earnest  effort  to  promote  its  adoption.  The  record  of  this 
effort  was  given  in  the  annual  report  of  Secretary  Davison  in  1912, 
as  follows: 

"Early  in  the  year  we  planned  conferences  which  reached 
nearly  every  church  in  the  State.  These  meetings  had  afternoon 
and  evening  sessions  and  were  held  at  Townshend,  Readsboro, 
Manchester,  Ludlow,  Bellows  Falls,  Fairhaven,  Brandon,  Middle- 
bury,  Vergennes,  West  Derby,  Richford,  St.  Albans  and  Essex 
Junction.  At  these  meetings  the  standard  of  efficiency,  adopted 
by  The  Northern  Baptist  Convention  and  by  the  Convention 
last  year,  was  discussed  in  the  afternoon,  placing  especial  emphasis 
on  the  reduction  of  the  non-resident  membership,  the  adoption 
of  the  every-member  canvass  and  more  personal  work,  and  more 
than  one-third  of  the  churches  have  already  adopted  the  standard 
of  efficiency  and  are  trying  to  work  it  out.     These  meetings  were 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  517 

also  preparatory  to  the  Stackhouse  campaign  which  followed  a 
week  later  with  banquets  at  Burlington,  Barre,  Newport,  Brattle- 
boro,  Rutland  and  Bennington,  and  special  Sunday  services  at 
Poultney  and  Fairhaven.  Your  Superintendent  was  ably  asisted 
in  many  of  the  meetings  by  President  Bond  of  the  Northern  Bap- 
tist Convention  and  by  Pastor  Braker  of  Burlington  and  the 
district  secretaries  of  New  England. 

"The  results  of  this  month's  campaign  are  already  manifested 
in  three  ways.  The  reduction  of  the  non-resident  membership, 
the  increase  in  benevolent  offerings  and  a  greater  desire  for  the 
salvation  of  souls. " 

From  the  beginning,  the  Convention  sought,  by  many  agen- 
cies, to  stimulate  the  churches  to  generous  missionary  offerings  and 
efforts.  It  has  not  ceased  to  keep  the  great  commission  always 
in  view,  and  has  always  had  some  representatives  among  the  mis- 
sionaries in  the  foreign  field.  The  gifts  of  our  churches  to  foreign 
and  home  missions  has  been  made  the  subject  of  a  separate  chap- 
ter and  need  not  be  mentioned  particularly  here.  Not  long  ago  it 
touched  hands  with  the  Baptist  missionaries  of  the  world  by  send- 
ing its  secretary,  Dr.  Davison,  to  the  World's  Baptist  Congress, 
held  in  London  in  1907.  It  is  perpetually  echoing  every  Macedon- 
ian call  and  striving  to  extend  the  helping  hand. 

The  attitude  and  the  altitude  of  the  Convention  may  be 
judged  in  part,  at  least,  by  the  men  whom  it  has  invited  to  address 
it  and  the  themes  on  which  they  have  spoken.  In  1907  and  again 
in  1910,  Rev.  O.  P.  Gilford,  of  Boston,  spoke  in  his  own  unique 
and  impressive  manner  upon  the  need  and  possibility  of  a  life  of 
spiritual  power,  in  the  first  instance,  and  upon  winning  souls,  in 
the  second.  The  same  year,  Rev.  A.  F.  Ufford,  the  latest  gift  of 
Vermont  Baptists  to  the  foreign  mission  work,  spoke  from  recent 
experience  upon  the  "Problems  of  Rural  Life."  In  1908,  Rev  J.  E. 
Norcross,  district  secretary  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Society,  addressed  the  Convention  upon  "Evangelizing  the 
Foreigner;"  Rev.  L.  L.  Henson,  D.  D.,  of  Providence,  R.  I.,  upon 
"  The  Northern  Baptist  Convention  and  its  Allies, "  and  C.  C.  Earle, 
of  Boston,  Mass.,  on  "Saving  the  Masses."  In  1909,  Rev.  J.  E. 
Norcross  was  again  present  and  spoke  on  "How  to  reach  men;" 


518  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Rev.  T.  S.  Barbour,  representing  the  Foreign  Missionary  Society, 
had  for  his  theme,  "The  Development  and  Progress  of  the  King- 
dom in  the  East,  especially  in  China  and  Japan; "  Rev.  J.  M.  Moore 
spoke  upon  "Missionary  Education,"  and  a  closing  address  was 
delivered  by  Prof.  Walter  Rauschenbusch,  of  the  Theological  Semi- 
nary, Rochester,  N.  Y.,  upon  "The  Church  and  the  Social  Crisis," 
a  remarkable  series  of  addresses  by  men  of  unusual  gifts.  In 
1911,  the  principal  address  was  by  Rev.  Cortland  Meyers,  D.  D., 
of  Boston,  who  dwelt  upon  the  necessity  of  meeting  the  prevailing 
spirit  of  materialism  and  socialism  and  agnosticism  with  a  right 
conception  of  God,  the  atonement  of  Christ  and  the  facts  of  chris- 
tian experience. 

The  anniversary  of  the  Convention,  in  1912,  was  one  of  special 
interest  throughout.  The  speakers  from  abroad  were  Rev.  Guy  C. 
Lamson,  representing  The  American  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
Rev.  A.  W.  Anthony,  who  brought  before  the  Convention  once 
more  "The  Northern  Baptist  Convntion,"  and  Rev.  C.  H.  Wool- 
son,  D.  D.,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  who  gave  a  practical  illustration 
of  the  "Art  of  Illustrative  Teaching. "  Besides  these,  Rev.  W.  T. 
Stackhouse,  D.  D.,  of  New  York,  secretary  of  the  Layman's 
Missionarv'  Movement,  was  present.  For  two  years  previous, 
he  had  been  scattering  the  light  of  his  knowledge  and  the  fire  of 
his  zeal  throughout  the  State  in  the  inspirational  meetings  planned 
by  Secretary  Davison,  and  no  man  could  have  been  more  welcome 
and  no  one's  words  could  have  been  awaited  with  greater  expec- 
tancy. Dr.  Stackliouse  lirought  this  exceptionally  impressive 
Convention  to  a  climatic  close  on  the  evening  of  the  twenty- 
fifth  of  September.  The  meeting  was  held  in  the  spacious  and 
beautiful  auditorium  of  the  North  Congregational  church,  which 
had  been  courteously  offered  for  the  occasion.  As  he  stood  before 
the  representatives  of  the  Baptist  churches  of  Vermont,  and  others 
assembled  with  them,  he  seemed  to  stand  as  upon  some  lofty  height, 
and  gave  the  people  a  vision  of  vantage  and  of  possibilities,  show- 
ing how  the  Lord 's  work  could  easily  be  done,  and  the  world  come 
to  know  Christ  in  this  generation,  if  the  church  could  be  brought  to 
realize  the  importance  of  the  call  and  the  crisis  in  which  we  live. 


John  A.  Greenwood,  Chester 

President  of  Convention,   1911 — 1912 


raSTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  519 

From  this  solemn  and  inspiring  vision  of  vantage  and  of  pos- 
sibility, the  members  of  the  Convention  went  back  to  their  homes. 
The  last  session  of  the  Convention  was  true  to  its  principles  and 
traditions.  Whatever  the  accomplishments  or  failures  of  The  Ver- 
mont Baptist  State  Convention  in  the  past,  this  has  been  its  domi- 
nant purpose  and  effort — the  upbuilding  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ 
in  the  State,  the  nation  and  the  world. 


Chapter  XXIII 

EDUCATION 

Ministerial  Education 

Vermont  Baptists  were  somewhat  slow  in  awaking  to  the 
importance  of  an  educated  ministry^ ,  and  to  the  need  of  concerted 
action  to  secure  one.  In  the  early  days  a  deep-seated  prejudice 
existed  in  the  minds  of  many  against  educated  ministers.  The 
training  of  college  and  theological  seminary  was  thought  to  foster 
pride  and  to  unfit  one  for  the  humble  ministries  of  a  pastor  among 
common  folk.  This  prejudice  was  never  universal,  but  it  was  suf- 
ficiently general  to  prove  a  serious  stumbling  block  to  many  pious 
young  men  who  felt  the  need  of  special  training  for  the  sacred  office 
of  the  christian  ministry. 

An  illustrative  incident  occurred  in  the  life  of  Elisha  Andrews . 
Mr.  Andrews  was  a  great  lover  of  books,  and  this  was  urged  against 
him  when  it  was  known  that  he  desired  to  preach.     He  had  a 

cousin,  Mr.  M ,  about  his  own  age,  who  did  not  love  books 

well  enough  to  incur  the  displeasure  of  the  most  conservative,  and 
who  felt  it  his  duty  to  preach. 

A  church  meeting  was  appointed  to  hear  Mr.  M improve 

his  gifts  with  a  view  to  his  being  licensed  to  preach.     After  the 

usual  introductory  exercises,  Mr.  M named  his  text,  but  that 

was  absolutely  as  far  as  he  could  go;  the  attempt  proved  an  entire 
failure.  To  relieve  the  embarrassment,  one  of  the  deacons  in- 
quired if  Brother  Andrews  would  not  like  to  speak  to  them  on  that 
occasion.  He  consented  to  do  so;  took  the  text  that  had  proved 
an  over-match  for  his  cousin,  and  delivered  what  turned  out  to  be 
a  very  acceptable  discourse.  Whereupon,  a  meeting  was  appointed 
the  next  week,  at  which  Mr.  Andrews  was  to  preach,  with  a  view 
of  being  licensed;  but  on  that  occasion  he  succeeded  but  little 
better  than  his  cousin  had  before  him,  finding  himself  obliged  to 


522  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

stop  before  he  had  finished  the  introduction.  His  cousin  was  then 
called  upon  to  speak,  and,  taking  the  same  text,  preached  an 
acceptable  discourse.     This  so  balanced  the  case  as  to  leave  the 

church  just  where  they  were  before  in  favor  of  licensing  Mr.  M 

and  opposed  to  Mr.  Andrews,  on  the  ground  that  he  was  bent  upon 
being  a  student. 

Soon  after,  Mr.  Andrews  left  Galway  to  visit  his  parents  in 
Vermont,  and  on  his  way  called  on  a  minister  in  Granville,  N.  Y., 
who,  having  heard  his  story,  detained  him  a  few  days,  and  put  him 
to  the  exercise  of  his^ifts  among  his  people.  The  result  was  that 
when  he  was  about  to  leave,  the  minister  said  to  him,  "Go,  and 
preach  as  you  go,  and  I  will  see  that  your  license  is  forthcoming  in 
due  season."     This  occurred  in  1787. 

By  degrees  the  early  prejudices  were  overcome.  The  in- 
creasing number  of  pastorless  churches,  and  their  importunate  call 
for  competent  leaders,  aroused  more  general  interest  in  ministerial 
education.  Pious  young  men  were  encouraged  to  enter  upon  full 
courses  of  study.  Funds  were  contributed  V)y  individuals  to  as- 
sist them.  As  there  were  no  theological  institutions  exclusively 
under  Baptist  control  in  this  State,  men  and  means  were  sent  to 
such  institutions  in  other  states,  principally  to  Hamilton,  N.  Y. 
Organized  effort  naturally  followed. 

In  1817,  Vermont  Baptists  swmig  mto  line  with  the  Baptists 
of  the  other  New  England  states  in  a  general  educational  mo^'e- 
ment,  of  which  Rev.  Jeremiah  Chaplin,  of  Danvers,  Mass.,  was 
a  leader.  He  had  been  accustomed  to  receive  into  his  family 
young  men  studying  for  the  ministry.  He  gave  them  instruction, 
and  they  assisted  him  in  his  pastoral  work.  Meanwhile,  he  was 
perfecting  himself  in  the  knowledge  of  Hel)rew  and  in  exposition 
of  the  Scriptures.  The  trustees  of  the  ISIaine  Literary  and 
Theological  Institution  at  Waterville,  chose  him  as  the  one  best 
qualified  to  take  charge  of  the  enterprise  of  founding  the  new 
institution,  AVaterville  College,  in  which  there  was  to  be  a  theolog- 
ical department.  While  his  mind  was  burdened  with  this  enter- 
prise, Mr.  Chaplin  prepared  the  corresponding  letter  of  the  Boston 
Association,  making  an  urgent  appeal  to  New  England  Baptists  to 


'    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  523 

t 

organize  for  the  assistance  of  worthy  young  men  studying  for  the 
ministry.  This  letter  was  read  in  the  several  Vermont  Associa- 
tions and  had  the  desired  effect. 

The  Vermont  Association  took  up  the  subject  and,  after 
careful  inquiry,  recommended  the  organization  of  an  Education 
Society.  As  there  were  then  several  young  brethren  who  urgently 
needed  some  assistance,  a  resolution  was  passed  recommending 
that  subscriptions  be  opened  in  the  churches  that  year  for  their 
benefit,  and  Elders  Clark  Kendrick,  Henry  Green,  Samuel  Rowley 
and  Isaac  Sawyer,  were  appointed  for  the  purpose.  The  next 
year  an  Education  Society  was  formed.  There  is  nothing  further 
m  the  minutes  of  the  Vermont  Association  concerning  it. 

From  another  source  we  gain  further  information. 

From  an  obituary  of  Clark  Kendrick,  written  by  Nathaniel 
Kendrick,  and  published  in  the  Baptist  Missionary  magazme, 
July,  1824,  we  learn  that  the  society  formed  in  the  Vermont  As- 
sociation adopted  a  resolution  to  establish  a  theological  institution 
for  the  gratuitous  education  of  indigent  young  men  having  the 
gift  of  God  to  preach,  as  soon  as  adequate  funds  could  be  obtained. 
Mr.  Kendrick  acted  as  agent  for  the  society  in  collecting  funds, 
until  he  became  convinced  that  one  institution  for  several  states, 
well  endowed,  would  be  preferable  to  several  small  ones,  and  upon 
the  first  proposal  he  was  ready  to  relinquish  the  design  of  having 
one  in  his  owm  State  in  favor  of  the  one  established  in  Hamilton, 
N.  Y.  The  practical  result  of  combining  the  New  York  and  Ver- 
mont Education  Societies  in  all  respects  equalled  his  anticipa- 
tions, and  afforded  him  the  most  entire  satisfaction.  The  last 
two  years  of  his  life  he  acted  as  general  agent  for  that  section  of 
the  country,  superintending  the  concerns  of  the  society,  as  far  as 
the  impaired  state  of  his  health  would  admit. 

In  the  Woodstock  Association,  the  topic  of  the  circular  letter, 
in  1817,  was  on  the  question  of  devising  some  plan  whereby  those 
pious  young  men  who  possess  talents  that  promise  usefulness  in 
the  Word,  and  who  we  have  reason  to  believe  have  been  called  of 
God  to  preach  the  Gospel,  may  receive  some  assistance  in  procur- 
ing an  education.  The  next  year  a  constitution  was  presented  by 
the  committee  appointed  for  that  purpose,  and  a  society  organized. 


524  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

with  Joseph  Elhott,  secretary,  and  Abner  Forbes,  treasurer.  In 
1820,  there  was  in  the  treasury,  $201.45.  The  treasurer's  report, 
in  1822,  indicates  a  very  general  interest  in  this  branch  of  christian 
work,  the  items  being  numerous,  including,  besides  generous  cash 
offerings,  a  variety  of  useful  atricles  for  students — sheets,  pillow- 
cases, flannels,  cloth,  socks,  shirts,  fuUed-cloth,  etc.  Two  of  the 
donations  were  for  B.  Stowe,  doubtless  Baron  Stowe,  who  was  then 
a  student  at  Hamilton.  The  corresponding  letter  of  1822  is  an  in- 
teresting document.  After  expressing  regret  that  they  cannot 
report  a  general  work  of  grace,  it  expresses  gratitude  for  the  divine 
influence  in  this  special  line.  "We  have  reason  to  praise  the  great 
Head  of  the  church  that  some  begin  to  feel  impressed  wdth  the  im- 
portance not  only  of  a  pious  but  of  a  learned  ministry.  WTiile 
we  have  witnessed,  with  a  kind  of  horror,  the  prevalence  of  the 
anti-christian  sentiment,  that  learning  without  grace  is  suJBScient 
qualification  for  the  gospel  ministry,  we  lament  that  our  denomi- 
nation has  verged  to  the  other  extreme,  and  the  importance  of 
scientific  knowledge  has  not  been  appreciated.  We  rejoice  to 
note  the  increase  of  more  correct  views  upon  the  subject,  generally, 
and  that  corresponding  exertions  are  making  to  assist  young  men, 
whom  God  has  called  into  the  ministry,  in  acquiring  a  useful  educa- 
tion. 

"A  small  education  society  has,  for  a  short  time,  been  in  opera- 
tion in  connection  with  this  Association;  and  although  it  is  but 
little  that  we  have  done,  or  can  do,  yet  we  have  afforded  assistance 
to  a  number  of  young  brethren,  some  of  whom  are  now  manfully 
engaged  in  the  ministry;  some  have  availed  themselves  of  the  pat- 
ronage of  more  opulent  societies  with  a  view  of  more  thorough 
education,  and  others  are  still  under  our  patronage  who,  we  hope, 
will  do  valiantly  for  the  truth." 

In  1824,  by  request  of  the  trustees  of  Waterville  College, 
the  principal  part  of  the  donations  for  that  year  were  approp- 
riated to  the  theological  students  in  that  institution  who  had  gone 
from  this  Association. 

In  1826,  there  was  in  the  treasury,  property,  in  clothing,  to 
the  amount  of  $17.29,  and  in  cash,  $33.51.  This  was  divided 
equally  between  the  New  Hampshire,  and  the  Vermont  State  Con- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  525 

ventions,  and  the  Education  Society  was  dissolved.  The  amount 
received  by  The  Vermont  State  Convention  was  forwarded  to 
students  at  Hamilton. 

The  Shaftsbury  Association  was  not  indifferent  to  the  call 
for  Education  Societies.  Its  circular  letter,  in  1817,  contained  an 
earnest  appeal  for  help.  "We  must  encourage  and  assist,  where 
assistance  is  necessary,  young  men  of  piety  and  gifts  that  are  ap- 
proved by  the  churches,  to  obtam  that  portion  of  human  learning 
which  will  enable  them  to  understand  and  rightly  divide  the  word 
of  truth.  For  any  person,  while  profoundly  ignorant  of  the  sys- 
tem of  gospel  doctrine  and  the  evidence  by  which  it  is  supported, 
to  attempt  to  teach  them  to  others  is  an  absurdity  not  to  be  en- 
dured. In  this  age  of  the  christian  church  it  is  vastly  important. " 
A  sympathetic  appeal  in  behalf  of  young  men  studying  for  the 
ministry  follows: 

At  the  next  meeting  of  the  Association,  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  obtain  information  on  the  subject  of  theological 
seminaries,  lay  before  the  Association  that  information  and  pro- 
pose such  measures  as  may  be  thought  best  calculated  to  promote 
them. 

In  1819,  a  communication  was  received  from  Clark  Kendrick 
sohciting  aid  for  the  establishment  of  a  theological  seminary,  and  a 
committee  was  appointed  to  make  some  arrangements  and  devise 
some  plan  of  operation  with  said  society.  In  1820,  Kendrick 's 
proposition  was  withdrawn  and  no  further  action  was  taken. 

An  Education  Society  in  connection  with  the  Leyden  Associa- 
tion was  organized  in  1818,  and  J.  M.  Graves  was  the  first  bene- 
ficiary. The  circular  letter,  in  1819,  was  upon  this  subject  and 
closed  with  this  appeal:  "Long  and  fervently  have  our  fathers 
prayed  that  God  would  raise  up,  qualify,  and  send  forth,  of  the 
sons  of  Zion  to  the  ministry.  And  now  we  are  called  upon  to 
unite  our  alms  with  our  prayers;  by  which  we  may  offer  a  living 
sacrifice,  acceptable  to  God  by  Jesus  Christ.  When  we  pay  due 
attention  to  this  subject  we  know  not  how  many  Brainerds,  Buch- 
anans, Martyns,  Careys  and  Judsonsweare  helping  forward;  and 
upon  whom  the  blessings  of  many  ready  to  perish  shall  rest. 
Neglect,  and  we  know  we  are  helping  none." 


526  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

This  organization  was  maintained  till  1830,  when  it  was 
dissolved  and  the  funds  transferred  to  the  Windham  Associa- 
tion Missionary  Society.  Besides  Mr.  Graves,  it  had  assisted 
Jeremiah  Hall,  Bela  Wilcox  and  Nathan  Bro-v\Ti. 

The  last  contribution  was  from  Jeremiah  Hall,  a  note  of  $50 
for  what  the  society  had  done  for  him. 

The  final  resolution  of  the  Leyden  Association  on  this  subject 
was,  "Resolved,  that  we  regard  with  peculiar  interest  the  efforts 
which  have  been  made  in  different  parts  of  the  Union,  during  the 
past  year,  to  encourage  and  facilitate  the  acquirement  of  minis- 
terial education,  and  especially  the  organization  of  the  Northern 
Baptist  Education  Society,  which  we  think  promises  great  useful- 
ness to  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  that  we  believe  the  time  has  arrived 
when  the  cause  of  Christ  demands  that  a  branch  of  this  society 
should  be  constituted  in  Vermont." 

The  original  constitution  of  the  State  Convention  assumed  the 
existence  of  Education  societies  whose  delegates  were  included  in 
its  constituent  membership. 

The  object  of  the  State  Convention  embraced,  not  only  foreign 
and  domestic  missions,  but  also  the  instruction  of  pious  young 
men  called  to  the  Gospel  ministr!.\  It  was  regarded  as  doubtful 
which  of  the  three  should  be  considered  the  most  important.  For 
a  few  years,  however,  the  claims  of  foreign  and  domestic  missions 
absorbed  the  attention  of  the  Convention  to  the  exclusion  of  the 
one  under  consideration. 

In  1830,  Mr.  Thresher,  corresponding  secretary'  of  The 
Northern  Baptist  Education  Society  attended  the  Convention  and 
urged  the  organization  of  a  Vermont  Branch  of  the  society  he 
represented.  There  were  at  that  time  twelve  young  men  from 
Vermont  under  the  patronage  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Educational 
Society.  A  branch  society  was  promptly  formed,  and  about  $100 
sul)scribed  on  the  spot  for  its  purposes.  Thirteen  able  men  were 
appointed  trustees,  among  them  John  Conant,  of  Brandon;  Rev. 
Hadley  Proctor,  of  Rutland;  Rev.  Alva  Sabin,  of  Georgia;  and 
Rev.  Joseph  Freeman,  of  Cavendish.  Hadley  Proctor,  E.  B.  Smith, 
Leland  Howard  and  Joseph  Freeman  were  appointed  examining 
committee. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  527 

This  action  of  the  Convention  was  regarded  as  eventful. 
"It  is  now  confidently  believed,  "  said  the  secretary  in  his  first 
report,  "that  the  energies  of  the  whole  denomination  will  soon  be 
concentrated  on  one  point,  and  that  manifold  advantages  will  result 
to  the  churches  from  this  society  long  after  its  projectors  and 
present  supporters  shall  rest  from  their  labors  amid  the  clods  of  the 
vaUey." 

The  next  year  the  society  reported  six  young  men  under  its 
patronage,  calling  for  about  $375.  In  1832,  the  society  reported 
eight  young  men  under  its  patronage.  The  expense  of  sup- 
porting these  was  $450.  Besides  these  there  were  ten  young  men 
from  Vermont  on  the  funds  of  the  parent  society,  making  eighteen 
in  all.  The  Board  of  the  Vermont  branch  society  had  been  com- 
pelled to  reject  five  applicants  for  lack  of  funds.  Ladies '  Education 
societies  were  organized,  as  auxiliaries  to  the  branch,  in  Middle- 
town,  East  Bethel  and  an  auxiliary,  probably  of  ladies,  at  Pas- 
sumpsic.  These  contributed  both  money  and  boxes  of  goods. 
The  Convention  in  1831,  and  1832,  by  resolution,  recommended  to 
the  churches  the  observance  of  the  first  Monday  in  January  as  a 
day  of  fasting  and  prayer,  and  that  we  pray  especially  for  an  in- 
crease in  the  ministry  and  for  a  blessing  on  the  labors  of  the 
Education  Society. 

In  1833,  the  Convention  recommended  to  the  churches  the 
raising  of  funds  averaging  twelve  and  a  half  cents  per  member  for 
their  branch  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society.  Five 
Associations  took  collections  for  its  treasur5\  The  removal  of 
E.  B.  Smith  from  the  State  brought  the  work  of  the  secretaryship 
upon  Rev.  George  B.  Ide.  His  report  for  1833  is  an  interesting 
chapter  in  the  history  of  this  organization.  The  year  was  com- 
menced by  the  Board  under  circumstances  of  deep  discouragement. 
None  but  men  of  sturdy  faith  and  commendable  courage  would 
have  ventured  to  go  forward.  But  feeling  themselves  sacredly 
called  to  the  high  and  holy  work  of  supplying  the  world  with  an 
eflBcient  ministry,  sensitive  to  the  voice  of  conscience  and  the  call 
of  destitute  churches,  they  resolved  to  authorize  the  reception  of 
every  applicant  for  patronage,  who  should  present  the  necessary 
credentials,  and  give  evidence  of  having  the  requisite  qualifica- 


528  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  \T:RM0NT 

tions;  and  pledged  themselves  to  meet  the  appropriations  which 
might  thus  arise,  to  the  utmost  extent  of  their  personal  responsi- 
bility. The  result  justified  the  experiment.  Friends  rallied; 
the  treasury  was  replenished;  debt  extinguished,  and  every 
applicant  promptly  helped.  The  receipts  were  $331.59,  being 
more  than  double  those  of  the  previous  year.  Eighteen  young 
men  received  assistance,  two  of  whom  were  in  college,  the  others  in 
different  academies. 

In  1833,  in  accordance  with  the  plan  of  the  parent  society, 
appropriations  were  diminished  to  $12  per  quarter,  to  men  in  pre- 
paratory studies,  and  increased  to  not  exceeding  $75  per  quarter, 
to  men  pursuing  further  studies.  Appropriations  were  considered 
as  loans,  to  be  repaid  gradually  after  the  completion  of  studies. 
The  student  was  required  to  have  an  examination  upon  the  month 's 
previous  study  before  the  Board. 

In  1834,  Rev.  Bela  Jacobs,  secretary  of  the  Western  Baptist 
Education  Society,  gave  an  address  before  the  society  on  the 
moral  and  intellectual  condition  of  the  states  in  the  Mississippi 
valley.  Subscriptions  for  that  society  were  immediately  taken, 
amounting  to  $100. 

The  number  of  students  assisted  that  year  by  the  Vermont 
branch  was  twenty-one,  and  the  whole  amount  expended  was 
$417.75. 

During  the  first  two  years  of  its  existence,  this  society  paid 
its  funds,  and  recommended  its  beneficiaries,  to  the  parent  so- 
ciety; but  subsequently  it  was  resolved  that  the  Vermont  branch 
retain  its  owti  funds,  and  support  its  ovm.  beneficiaries,  and  make 
an  effort  to  increase  its  funds,  to  enable  them  to  receive  all  appli- 
cants of  suitable  promise  and  support  them,  subject  to  the  same 
regulations  with  the  beneficiaries  of  the  parent  society. 

In  1825,  twenty-five  young  men  were  aided,  at  a  cost  of  $631.92 
and  the  treasury  was  overdrawn  to  the  amount  of  over  $300.  The 
money  had  been  hired  so  that  the  beneficiaries  had  not  been  in- 
convenienced. The  work  began  to  drag  heavily.  The  want  of  a 
permanent  secretary,  the  pecuniarj^  embarrassment  of  the  coun- 
try' and  various  other  causes  very  greatly  depressed  the  Board.     To 


»    HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  529 

relieve  the  situation  it  was  recommended  that  Yomig  Men 's  Educa- 
tion Societies  be  organized  in  each  Association,  auxiliary  to  this 
society. 

The  experiment  of  running  a  branch  society,  practically  in- 
dependent of  the  parent  society,  did  not  prove  entirely  satisfactory. 
The  great  distance  of  the  beneficiaries  from  each  other,  and  the 
difficulty  of  securing  full  quarterly  meetings  of  the  Board,  proved 
serious  impediments.  The  parent  society  was  requested  to  be- 
come our  agent  to  receive  the  returns  of  our  beneficiaries  and  to 
make  them  regular  quarterly  remittances.  The  request  was 
kindly  granted.     The  advantages  were  promptly  seen. 

Some  who  had  become  disheartened  by  a  failure  of  support 
returned  to  their  studies,  and  other  promising  young  men  were 
added  to  their  number. 

The  State  Convention  at  this  time  recognized  the  work  form- 
ally by  recommending  that  collections  for  this  object  be  taken  in 
the  churches  on  or  near  the  first  Sunday  in  May,  annually. 

In  1840,  the  number  of  students  aided  was  seven.  A  collec- 
tion was  taken  at  the  annual  meeting  amounting  to  $303.03. 
Eleven  years  after  its  organization  the  society  had  the  satisfaction 
of  knowing  that  forty  young  men  had  received  aid,  most  of  whom 
were  then  in  active  work  as  pastors,  teachers  or  missionaries. 

In  1843,  the  Board  in  its  report  raised  the  question,  "What 
can  be  done  to  secure  the  regular  contribution  of  the  churches  for 
this  object?  Why  do  not  funds  flow  spontaneously  into  our  treas- 
ury? Why  are  we  compelled  to  depend  almost  entirely  upon 
pledges  given  at  the  annual  meeting  to  replenish  our  treasury? 
The  answer  suggested  was,  "The  want  of  systematic  mode  of 
action."  At  this  session.  Prof.  E.  B.  Smith,  principal  of  the  New 
Hampton  Literarj^  and  Theological  Institution  of  New  Hampshire, 
gave  an  address,  following  which  the  Convention  appointed  nine- 
teen of  its  ablest  men  as  delegates,  to  meet  delegates  from  Maine 
and  New  Hampshire  the  following  November,  to  devise,  if  prac- 
ticable, some  plan  by  which  the  energies  of  the  three  states  might  be 
concentrated  upon  the  theological  department  of  New  Hampton 
and  they  in  turn  receive  its  benefits. 

This  committee  reported  the  following  year,  recommending 
that,  "Whereas,  we  need  a  school  where  some  of  the  young  men 


530  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

may  have  theological  instruction,  not  so  extended  as  that  of  New- 
ton or  Hamilton,  we  recommend  to  this  Convention  to  take  meas- 
ures to  form  some  alliance  with  the  New  Hampton  Institution  in 
its  theological  department.  We  also  recommend  that  a  committee 
of  three  be  appointed  as  a  committee  on  education  and  corres- 
pondence with  the  trustees  or  a  committee  of  the  New  Hampton 
Institution.  Brethren  E.  Hutchinson  and  J.  P.  Skinner,  of 
Windsor,  and  R.  Sawyer,  of  Chester,  were  appointed  as  this  com- 
mittee. 

In  the  multiplicity  of  business  at  the  meeting  of  1843,  no 
provision  was  made  for  the  supply  of  the  treasury,  and  as  a  result, 
the  Board  were  unable  to  make  any  appropriations  the  following 
year,  and  was  in  debt  to  the  j^arent  society  to  the  amount  of 
$267.85. 

In  1845,  at  the  Convention  held  in  Rutland,  the  following 
resolution  was  adopted:  "Resolved,  that  the  Vermont  Branch  of 
the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society  be  and  hereby  is  merged 
into  the  Convention,  upon  condition  that  the  Convention  appoint 
a  secretary  to  conduct  the  correspondence  of  educational  matters, 
and  open  her  treasury  for  moneys  designated  to  ministerial  educa- 
tion, to  be  disbursed  to  indigent  young  men  preparing  for  the 
ministry,  as  the  Board  of  the  Convention  shall  direct."  Rev. 
J.  M.  Rockwood  was  appointed  educational  secretary. 

Thus  ended  this  effort  of  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  to  assist 
in  the  education  of  ministers  through  a  branch  of  the  Northern 
Baptist  Education  Society,  in  close  alliance  with  the  State  Con- 
vention, and  yet,  in  a  measure,  distinct  from  it. 

No  inconsiderable  service  of  this  branch  was  its  effort  to 
awaken  public  sentiment  upon  the  important  subject  connnitted 
to  it.  The  annual  reports  of  its  secretaries,  especially  those 
of  E.  B.  Smith,  Hadley  Proctor,  J.  M.  Graves  and  John  Ide,  are 
masterly  discussions  of  the  whole  subject  of  ministerial  educa- 
tion and  the  beneficiarj'  system  for  its  promotion.  These  reports, 
printed  in  full  in  the  minutes,  and  sent  out  by  the  thousand  into 
the  homes  of  Vermont  Baptists,  and  doubtless  read  with  more  care 
than  such  pamphlets  are  now,  must  have  exerted  a  strong  influence 
overcoming   a   prejudice  against   an   educated  ministry   and   in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  531 

kindling,  somewhat,  a  flame  that  has  never  burned  as  brightly  in 
this  State  as  the  importance,  and  the  needs  of  the  cause  demands. 

By  the  merger  of  1845,  under  the  conditions  named.  The  Ver- 
mont Baptist  State  Convention  became  the  recognized  agency  for 
Vermont  Baptists  in  their  work  of  ministerial  education.  The 
Convention  definitely  accepted  the  responsibility  and  assumed  this 
as  one  branch  of  its  work.  To  this  extent  it  became  a  branch 
of  the  Northern  Baptist  Educational  Society. 

The  first  year  following,  on  account  of  the  sickness  of  Baxter 
Burrough,  who  was  to  have  preached  on  this  subject,  no  address 
was  given  at  that  session,  and  in  the  absence  of  material  for  a  report 
none  was  given  by  the  secretary.  The  next  year,  however  (1847), 
Rev.  I.  H.  Barker  delivered  a  sermon  on  ministerial  education,  and 
Mr.  Rockwood  gave  a  report,  the  opening  words  of  which  gave  one 
some  idea  of  the  condition  of  sentiment  among  the  churches  at 
that  time.  Said  he,  "Brethren,  the  least  observant  among  us  must 
have  felt  that  the  cause  of  ministerial  education  in  Vermont  was 
laboring.  The  feeling  may  have  become  fixed  that  the  education 
ship  must  go  down,  and  that  the  next  approaching  Convention 
would  see  nothing  left  but  her  drifting  fragments."  Against  such 
a  fate  he  strongly  protested. 

The  Convention  this  year  gave  its  hearty  approval  of  the 
efforts  making  by  the  New  Hampton  Institution,  to  raise  a  part 
of  its  funds  in  this  State.  Twenty  dollars  only  passed  through  the 
Convention  treasury  for  the  cause  of  this  branch.  Moses  Field 
gave  a  disheartening  report. 

In  1849,  the  Convention  passed  a  resolution  approving  the 
action  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society  in  calling  a  con- 
vention of  the  New  England  States  to  meet  in  Boston  the  1st  and 
2nd  of  November  next  for  the  adoption  of  some  plan  of  cooperation 
between  them,  and  for  consideration  of  the  general  interests  con- 
nected with  this  department  of  christian  effort. 

C.  A.  Thomas,  E.  Hutchinson  and  L.  Hayden  were  appointed 
a  committee  of  examination  and  correspondence,  whose  duty  it 
was  to  be  to  receive  applications  from  young  men,  examine  them 
and  recommend  them  to  the  patronage  of  the  Northern  Baptist 
Education  Society,  give  what  direction  they  might  deem  necessary 


532  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

to  the  secretary,  respecting  his  labors  in  the  State,  and,  in  con- 
nection with  him,  do  what  they  could  to  interest  the  churches  in 
their  efforts. 

By  invitation  of  the  Newton  Theological  Institution,  a  visitor 
was  appointed  to  act  with  others  on  an  examining  committee  of 
that  institution. 

In  1852,  T.  F.  Caldicott,  secretary  of  the  Northern  Baptist 
Education  Society,  delivered  an  address  at  the  Convention,  and 
a  collection  of  $100  was  at  once  taken  for  the  society. 

At  the  same  session  of  the  Convention,  the  sum  of  $2000  was 
subscribed  to  complete  the  endowment  of  New  Hampton  Institu- 
tion, to  be  retransferred  to  Fairfax,  Vt. 

At  this  time  the  work  of  the  ministerial  education  received  a 
new  and  strong  impulse,  and  the  State  made  for  itself  then  a  record 
that  it  has  never  surpassed.  New  Hampton  Institution  was 
bodily  transferred  to  Fairfax,  faculty,  students  and  all. 

The  Northern  Educational  Union  was  organized  in  support  of 
New  Hampton  Institution,  and  especially  to  provide  the  neces- 
sary aid  for  students  for  the  ministry.  As  early  as  1853,  there 
were  fifteen  ministerial  students  enjoying  the  benefits  of  this  in- 
stitution and  others  were  preparing  to  enter. 

For  a  few  years  this  institution,  though  always  financially 
embarrassed,  did  a  splendid  work  in  its  theological  department. 
It  had  an  exceedingly  able  faculty,  consisting  of  Rev.  E.  B.  Smith, 
D.  D.,  Rev.  James  Upham,  D.  D.,  Rev.  Mark  Cummings,  A.  M,, 
Daniel  Putnam,  A.  B.,  Selim  Peabody,  A.  B.,  and  S.  M.  Bassett. 

For  a  few  years  this  institution  was  the  pride  of  our  denomi- 
nation in  the  State,  but  for  lack  of  financial  support  it  soon  lan- 
guished and  ceased  to  be  a  denominational  school. 

There  was  no  general  awakening  among  the  churches  for  the 
financial  support  of  this  work.  In  1862,  the  Convention  did,  under 
the  spur  of  the  moment,  raise  $520,  and  voted  to  attempt,  by  a  com- 
mittee, to  raise  the  amount  to  $1000  for  the  New  Hampton  minis- 
terial students,  but  the  additional  amount  was  not  raised.  At 
the  session  when  this  special  contribution  was  taken,  a  resolution 
passed,  "That  the  money  now  raised  and  which  shall  be  raised 
hereafter  for  the  purpose  of  educating  young  men  at  New  Hampton 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  533 

Institution  at  Fairfax,  for  the  ministry,  be  committed  to  the 
treasurer  of  this  Convention,  subject  to  the  order  of  the  Northern 
Educational  Union." 

This  action  apparently  broke  the  organized  connection  be- 
tween the  Convention  and  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  So- 
ciety, for  in  his  report,  in  1864,  Mark  Carpenter  refers  to  the  fact 
that  "We  are  excised  from  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  So- 
ciety." 

At  the  close  of  the  war  of  the  Rebellion  the  claims  of  the  Na- 
tional Theological  Institution  for  the  education  of  freed  men 
for  the  ministry  received  the  endorsement  of  the  Convention,  and, 
on  one  occasion,  $100  was  raised  for  its  work. 

For  many  years  there  has  been  nothing  specially  worthy  of 
record  in  this  connection.  Once,  in  1870,  to  meet  an  evident 
emergency,  the  Convention  invited  the  New  York  Baptist  Educa- 
tion Society  to  send  a  man  into  our  State  for  a  short  time  to  secure 
contributions  from  our  churches,  which  should  be  sacredly  applied 
to  the  benefit  of  students  from  our  State  in  Hamilton. 

Rev.  G.  W.  Lasher,  of  the  New  York  Society,  Dr.  G.  W.  Bos- 
worth,  of  the  Northern  Educational  Society,  Dr.  Geo.  BuUen,  and 
others,  have  represented  the  work  at  intervals. 

For  more  than  fifty  years  the  Convention  kept  this  subject  be- 
fore the  churches  by  able  addresses  of  great  inspirational  and 
educative  value.  Committees  and  secretaries  without  number 
have  been  appointed  to  make  reports,  and  resolutions  have  been 
passed  expressive  of  interest,  but  for  some  reason  the  churches, 
generally,  have  not  been  thoroughly  aroused  to  benevolent  action 
for  the  sake  of  an  educated  ministry,  and  what  has  been  accom- 
plished has  been  at  a  comparatively  small  cost. 

Since  1899,  the  subject  of  ministerial  education  has  disap- 
peared from  the  programs  and  resolutions  of  our  State  Convention. 
Meanwhile,  however,  some  of  the  churches  (sixteen  on  an  average, 
annually),  have  kept  the  cause  in  mind  and  contributed  $2,565  for 
its  support. 

The  review  of  the  organized  efforts  of  Vermont  Baptists  in  the 
cause  of  ministerial  education  is  somewhat  humilating.  It  must 
be  confessed  that  interest  in  forwarding  this  work  by  assisting 


534  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

students  for  the  ministry,  financially,  has  not  been  so  general  nor 
so  deep  as  the  relative  importance  of  the  work  deserves.  This, 
however,  in  justice,  may  be  said  that  there  has  always  been  an 
honest  difference  of  opinion  as  to  the  wisdom  of  the  beneficiary 
system. 

It  is  refreshing  to  turn  from  considering  our  financial  con- 
tributions to  consider  our  contribution  of  men,  whose  liberal  cul- 
ture and  wide  uifluence  in  educational  lines  bear  witness  to  the 
fact  that  Vermont  Baptists  have  not  wholly  underestimated  the 
value  of  education  for  the  ministrJ^  Young  men,  by  heroic  per- 
sonal effort  and  by  the  help  of  parents  and  friends,  have  secured 
thorough  training  for  their  sacred  calling,  and  proved  the  wisdom 
of  the  time  and  means  thus  spent. 

These  have  been  presidents   of  colleges:     Jonathan   Going, 

D.  D.,  at  Granville,  Ohio;  Robert  E.  Patterson,  D.  D.,  president 
of  Waterville  College,  Maine,  Kovington,  Ky.,  Columbian  Col- 
lege, D.  C,  Shurthfl  College,  111.,  NcAA-ton,  Theological  Institu- 
tion, Mass.;  Lewis  A.  Duim,  president,  Central  University,  Pella, 
Iowa;  Lewis  B.  Hibbard,  president,  Leland  University,  La.;  Na- 
thaniel Colver,  president,  Freedmans '  Institution,  Richmond,  Va. ; 
T,  C.  Graves,  L.  L.  D.,  president,  Mary  Female  College,  more  than 
thirty  years;  James  R.  Kendrick,  president,  Vassar  College,  1885- 
1886;  Nathaniel  Kendrick,  first  president,  Hamilton,  now  Colgate 
University;  Norman  Wood,  D,  D.,  president,  Shurtleff  College,  111., 
1852-1855;  Alvah  Woods,  president,  Alabama  University,  Ala., 
1831;  George  C.  Chandler,  D.  D.,  president,  Franklin  College, 
111.,  1843-1850,  also  of  a  Baptist  College  in  Oregon. 

The  following  have  been  professors  in  colleges  or  universities : 
Romeo  Elton,  Bro^\^^  University;  Beriah  Leach,  D.  D.,  Seth  \ATiit- 
man,  Daniel  Haskall,  Roswell  R,  Prentice,  Edward  Judson,  D.  D., 
David  Estes,  D.  D.,  in  Hamilton;  Thomas  Conant,  D.  D.,  and 
A.  C.  Kendrick,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D.,  both  in  Hamilton  and  Rochester; 

E.  B.  Hurlburt,  D.  D.,  in  Chicago;  James  Tenbroke,  in  McGill 
College,  Toronto,  Can. 

The  following  have  been  presidents  or  professors  in  Theolog- 
ical Institutions:  Ira  Chase,  D.  D.,  Alvah  Hovey,  D.  D.,  E.  P. 
Gould,  D.  D.,  at  Newlon;  Eh  B.  Smith,  D.  D.,  and  James  Upham, 
D.  D.,  at  New  Hampton  Institution;  A.  S.  Hobart,  Crozer. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  535 

All  these  have  been  members  of  Baptist  churches  in  Vermont, 
and  all  except  five  have  been  bom  or  brought  up  here  by  the  im- 
migration of  their  parents  in  infancy.  On  this  Dr.  Archibald 
remarked,  "We  are  not  aware  that  any  Baptists,  whose  numbers 
have  not  averaged  more  than  nine  thousand  for  the  last  seventy- 
five  years,  have  furnished  an  equal  number  of  instructors  for  our 
higher  institutions  of  learning  in  all  that  period  of  time." 

To  these  names  might  well  be  added  such  as  these:  Ezra 
Fisher,  from  the  church  in  North  Springfield,  who  after  a  pas- 
torate there  of  some  years,  went  as  a  missionary  of  the  American 
Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  first  to  Iowa,  and  thence  in  1845  to 
Oregon.  He  left  Iowa  in  April,  and  reached  Tualatin  Plains  in 
Oregon,  December  5,  havmg  been  seven  months  on  the  road  and 
having  traveled  more  than  2,500  miles.  In  company  with  Hezekiah 
Johnson,  he  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  Oregon,  and 
underwent  hardships  and  privations  such  as  men  will  not  be  called 
to  experience  again  in  the  history  of  this  country. 

E.  H.  Gray,  D.  D.,  laid  the  foundations  of  a  university  in 
California.  H.  I.  Parker  secured  the  establishment  of  the  school 
at  Beaver  Dam,  Wis.  S.  S.  Cutting,  D.  D.,  was  the  prominent 
mover  in  the  Educational  Convention  at  BrookljTi,  N.  Y.,  which 
origmated  the  great  educational  uplift  of  Baptists  throughout  the 
country.  Nathan  Brown  gave  to  Assam  and  to  Japan,  the  New 
Testament  translated  into  their  owti  tongue.  A  long  list  of  finely 
educated  men  who  have  served  in  the  foreign  field  might  be  added. 

It  is  not  generally  known,  but  it  is  a  fact,  that  the  Chicago 
Theological  Seminarj^  now  a  part  of  Chicago  University,  had  its 
origin  with  Vermont  men. 

The  storj'  is  too  interesting  to  be  abbreviated.  The  late 
Brother  Mial  Davis,  of  Burlington,  stated  the  facts  of  the  case  as 
follows:  "In  June,  1867,  that  great  preacher,  the  man  of  great 
intellect  and  spiritual  power,  Nathaniel  Colver,  left  his  Tremont 
Temple  church  and  came  to  Burlington,  Vt.,  preaching  in  the  First 
Baptist  church  on  the  Sabbath.  His  sweet  spirit  and  deep  insight 
into  God's  truth,  with  his  great  force  of  deliverj%  greatly  interested 
Mr.  Lawrence  Barnes.  The  writer  was  not  less  interested,  but  he 
had  listened  to  his  powerful  preaching  in  Boston  twenty  years  be- 


536  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

fore.  On  the  Monday  following,  Dr.  Colver  wished  to  see  Mr. 
Barnes  and  myself,  and  an  inter\'iew  followed.  An  adjournment 
was  made  till  we  could  call  William  Cook,  of  WTiitehall,  a  godly 
man,  full  of  good  deeds.  At  this  meeting,  held  at  the  home  of  the 
writer,  Dr.  Colver  said  substantially  this :  'that  God  had  laid  upon 
him  the  work  of  providing  a  Theological  Seminary  for  the  West, 
where  young  men  called  to  the  ministry  could,  in  some  measure,  pre- 
pare themselves  for  their  great  work.  He  said  there  were  to  be  a 
great  number  of  them;  that  they  were  generally  poor,  and  could 
not  come  East  for  training  and  study.  With  great  earnestness  he 
pleaded  for  these  young  men.  He  continued,  '  The  churches  must 
have  trained  pastors. '  As  he  walked  the  floor  he  said,  'O,  we  must 
have  this  seminary. ' 

"Then  he  told  us  his  plan ;  that  we  three  men  pledge  his  salary 
for  five  years,  at  $1,500  per  year,  while  he  should  work  it  up.  We 
agreed  to  this  and  pledged  as  follows:  Lawrence  Barnes,  $3,000; 
Wm.  Cook,  $3,000;  Mial  Davis,  $1,500,  or  $7,500  for  the  five  years. 

"Dr.  Colver  started  off,  happy  as  a  lark  in  the  morning,  to  his 
work.  Very  soon  he  returned  to  us  and  said  that  God  had  blessed 
him  in  presenting  it,  so  that  he  was  sure  it  would  come.  'Now,' 
he  says,  'I  wish,  if  you  will,  to  pay  the  $7,500  as  the  commence- 
ment of  the  fund  for  the  Institution.'  This  we  did,  and  paid 
the  money.  The  dear  Mr.  Goodman  of  The  Standard,  with  other 
friends,  took  hold  of  the  matter  and  subscriptions  followed.  The 
Seminarj^  came  up.  Dr.  G.  W.  Northroj)  has  said  to  the  writer 
that  the  nest  egg  of  the  Seminarj^  was  laid  in  Burlington,  which 
was  true.  And  now,  dear  Dr.  Colver,  Brother  Barnes,  and  Brother 
Cook  have  some  years  since  passed  over  to  the  heavenly  land,  and 
I  remain  alone  to  tell  the  story.  To  God  be  all  the  glorj'  of  a  work 
so  far  reaching  in  its  results." 

Mention  ought  to  be  made  in  this  connection,  of  men  who, 
not  connected  with  any  of  our  literary  institutions,  have  neverthe- 
less performed  distinguished  service  in  the  ministrj'^  in  various 
parts  of  the  country.  Among  these,  we  record  the  names  of 
H.  C.  Fish,  so  long  the  distinguished  pastor  in  New  Jersey,  and  the 
author  of  valuable  religious  works,  who  was  brought  up  in  Halifax, 
and  converted  in  the  little  Baptist  church  there;  E.  H.   Gray, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  537 

D.  D.,  of  whom  we  have  spoken,  was  the  gift  of  the  now  extinct 
church  in  Bridport;  S.  H.  Green,  D.  D.,  so  long  the  loved  pastor  of 
Calvary  Baptist  Church  in  Washington,  D.  C,  came  from  the 
feeble  church  in  Montgomery';  Alvah  S.  Hobart,  now  professor  in 
Crozer  Theological  Institution,  was  born  in  Georgia,  Vt.;  A.  T. 
Dunn,  came  from  Fairfax,  and  S.  S.  Cutting,  D.  D.,  so  prominent 
in  educational  and  editorial  work,  was  the  gift  of  the  church  in 
Windsor  to  service  in  other  states. 

Academies 

The  first  allusion  to  the  State  Convention's  interest  in 
academies  occurs  in  the  minutes  of  1830.  In  reply  to  a  com- 
munication received  from  the  trustees  of  the  Burr  Seminary, 
to  be  located  in  Manchester,  the  Convention  passed  the  following : 
Resolved,  that  we  cordially  approve  the  plan  of  said  Seminary,  as 
presented  in  the  prospectus,  and  that  we  wish  its  friends  success 
in  their  important  enterprise;  yet,  as  we  have,  during  the  present 
session  of  the  Convention,  organized  a  branch  of  The  Northern 
Baptist  Education  Society  within  this  State,  and  as  institutions 
to  which  we  are  already  pledged  imperiously  demand  our  patronage, 
we  feel  ourselves  unable  at  present  to  render  that  assistance,  which, 
under  other  circumstances,  might  have  been  afforded. 

The  Academy  at  Brandon 

On  the  evening  of  October  26,  1831,  a  meeting  of  the  friends 
of  education  was  held  at  the  home  of  Esq.  Fletcher,  in  Ludlow, 
and  a  resolution  was  passed  recommending  to  the  Convention  to 
take  measures  for  the  establishment  of  a  literary  institution  in  the 
State.  The  following  day  the  Convention  approved  the  resolu- 
tion and  appointed  twenty-five  persons  to  serve  as  trustees  of  said 
institution. 


538  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

(Names  of  trustees  appointed  by  the  Convention   to   take 
measures  to  establish  a  Uterary  institution,  1831) : 

Hon.  J.  D.  Farnsworth,  Charlotte,  Dea.  J.  Clark,  St.  Johnsbury, 

J.  Conant,  Esq.,  Brandon,  E.  E.  Starkweather,  Irasburg, 

Rev.  A.  Leland,  Chester,  Rev.  J.  M.  Graves,  Jericho, 

J.  P.  Skinner,  Esq.,  Windsor,  Rev.  H.  Proctor,  Rutland, 

Rev.  D.  Packer,  Mount  Holly,  Rev.  L.  Howard,  Windsor, 

Rev.  A.  Sabin,  Georgia,  Rev.  R.  M.  Ely,  Rockingham, 

Dea.  T.  Galusha,  Jericho,  Dea.  D.  Mason,  Westminster, 

Dea.  S.  Riggs,  Rutland,  Dea.  E.  Ransom,  Tovtmshend, 

Mr.  Joseph  Smith,  2d,  Shoreham,  Rev.  M.  Bruce,  W^ilmington, 

Hon.  N.  H.  Bottom,  Shaftsbury,  Asa  Fletcher,  Esq.,  Ludlow, 

Dr.  A.  McKee,  Arlington,  Rev.  J.  Merriam,  Bridport, 

Rev.  E.  B.  Smith,  Poultney,  A.  Clark,  Esq.,  Hinesburg. 

The  legislature,  in  183*2,  granted  the  above  named  persons, 
and  their  successors  in  office,  an  Act  of  Incorporation,  with  the 
usual  powers  and  privileges  of  like  institutions  in  the  State.  The 
trustees  held  their  first  meeting  in  Rutland,  and  adjourned  from 
time  to  time,  receiving  jjroposals  from  several  toA\Tis  in  the  State  for 
the  location  of  the  institution.'  Finally  the  proposal  from  Bran- 
don was  considered  the  most  liberal  and  was  accepted,  and  the 
institution  located  there  by  the  name  of  the  Vermont  Literary  and 
Scientific  Institution. 

The  people  of  Brandon  subscribed  $5,000  and  erected  a  four- 
story  building  of  brick.  It  was  commodious,  conveniently  placed 
and  handsome;  one  hundred  feet  in  length  and  forty  feet  in  width. 
This  building  was  opened  February,  1833.  The  school  was  under 
the  instruction  of  Hadley  Proctor,  principal;  Mr.  N.  N.  Wood, 
assistant,  first  quarter;  Myron  N.  Dean,  assistant,  second  quarter; 
Mr.  Curtis  K.  Harvey,  teacher  of  languages;  Mr.  Josiah  C.  Hazel- 
tine  in  the  English  department,  and  Hiram  A.  Graves,  A.  B.,  teacher 
of  penmanshij>.  In  the  female  department.  Miss  Sophia  Fox, 
principal;  Miss  H.  K.  Seaver,  assistant,  first  term;  Miss  Susan 
M.  Griggs,  assistant,  second  term.  Number  of  students:  Males, 
one  hundred  and  twenty-one;  females,  eighty- two;  total,  two  hun- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  539 

dred  and  three.  This  school  never  had  an  endowment,  although 
some  contributions  were  made  through  the  Convention  for  fur- 
nishing its  room.  It  fitted  a  considerable  number  of  students  for 
college,  some  of  whom  became  eminent. 

In  1866,  the  trustees  leased  the  buildings  to  the  consolidated 
school  district  of  Brandon  village  for  graded  schools,  provided 
said  district  would  put  the  building  in  order  and  sustain  a  first- 
class  graded  school,  according  to  the  school  laws  of  Vermont. 

In  1842,  the  Convention  acknowledged  its  obligation  to  this 
institution  by  the  following  resolution : 

''Resolved,  that  the  Scientific  and  Literary  Institution  in 
Brandon  is  entitled  to  all  the  aid  that  the  Convention  and  the 
denomination  in  the  State  can  give  it;  that  since  it  was  brought 
into  existence  by  the  Convention  it  may  reasonably  look  to  us 
for  support.  We,  therefore,  recommend  to  our  brethren  that  such 
agents  as  the  trustees  may  send  out  be  favorably  received,  and 
their  efforts  be  crowned  with  funds,  scholarships  and  scholars." 

The  hopes  expressed  in  this  resolution  were  not  fulfilled. 
John  Conant,  Esq.,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  institution,  in  letters 
to  William  Churchill,  wrote: 

"This  institution  has,  from  the  commencement,  felt  great 
need  of  the  fostering  hand  which  was  extended,  not  to  say  pledged, 
from  the  denomination,  for  want  of  which  its  course  of  instruction 
has  been  fluctuating,  and  without  permanent  professors,  and  is  at 
present  supported  by  the  tuition  bills  and  such  other  aid  as  a  few 
in  the  village  can  afford  to  it.  Could  the  Baptist  Convention  be 
induced  to  give  it,  the  small  sum  of  $1  to  each  member  of  the  Bap- 
tist churches,  it  could  soon  be  in  a  flourishing  condition  again  and 
be  of  great  general  use,  and  honorary  to  the  denomination.  The 
trustees  feel  that  such  a  fimd  is  due  to  their  efforts  in  raising  the 
institution  and  still  hope  that  their  brethren  feel  it  too,  and  will  not 
leave  them  to  serve  alone  an  object  so  important  to  the  good  of  the 
whole." 

In  a  note  to  the  letter  from  which  we  have  just  quoted,  allud- 
ing to  an  imderstanding  that  the  original  trustees  were  expected 
to  raise  $1,000  before  proceeding  with  the  work  of  founding  the 
institution,  Mr.  Conant  writes: 


540  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

"The  $1,000  was  never  half  subscribed,  and  this  is  the  point 
on  which  its  failure  turned.  The  trustees  anticipated  too  much; 
they  should  not  have  started  a  peg  imtil  the  sum  was  raised. " 

In  a  later  letter  he  said,  "The  Institution  was  got  up  by  the 
State  Convention;  that  is,  by  their  choosing  a  board  of  trustees  to 
take  measures  to  raise  funds  for  and  locate  the  Institution  where 
they  might  judge  most  advantageous  for  the  State,  for  the  general 
good  of  the  whole  State.  This  was  expected  by  the  people  of 
Brandon,  when  they  expended  $5,000  for  the  building.  But  we 
were  sadly  disappointed  when  we  saw  immediately  spring  up  other 
small  academies,  in  different  sections  of  the  State,  and  fostered, 
more  or  less,  by  men  whose  names  were  on  our  list  of  trustees. 
Instead  of  supporting  our  Institution,  and  making  that  a  respecta- 
ble one,  the  denomination  countenanced  other  small  ones,  and,  so 
dividing  the  interest,  ruined  all. " 

(Letters  in  the  possession  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  Historical 
Society.) 

The  schools  to  which  Mr.  Conant  referred  were  doubtless 
those  established  at  To\\iishend,  Ludlow  and  Derby. 

Leland  and  Gray  Seminary 

As  nearly  as  can  be  determined.  Rev.  Joseph  Freeman,  D.  D., 
of  Cavendish,  was  the  father  of  the  movement  for  the  establish- 
ment of  a  Baptist  school  within  the  limits  of  the  Woodstock  As- 
sociation. He  introduced  the  subject  to  the  Association  in  1833, 
and  it  met  with  favor.  Plans  were  formed  as  soon  as  possible  and 
steps  taken  to  carry  them  into  effect.  Money  and  a  suitable  loca- 
tion were  the  first  things  to  engage  attention.  To  awaken  interest 
and  secure  means,  the  Association  authorized  or  sanctioned  the 
appointment  of  mass  meetings  in  various  places.  On  these  oc- 
casions the  character  of  the  undertaking,  plans  for  raising  funds, 
and  especially  the  matter  of  a  suitable  location,  were  fully  and 
freely  discussed. 

As  the  meetings  progressed,  it  came  to  be  seen  that  latitude, 
as  well  as  other  considerations,  was  a  thing  not  to  be  overlooked, 
for  some  contended  that  the  proposed  seminary  of  learning  should 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  541 

be  in  the  northern  part  of  the  Association  limits,  and  others  that  it 
should  be  in  the  southern.  Elder  Freeman  took  a  stand  in  favor 
of  the  former  view,  and  Major  Ezekiel  Ransom,  of  Townshend,  the 
other.  Ransom  spoke  of  the  beauties  of  the  natural  scenery  and 
the  healthfulness  of  the  Townshend  location,  but  natural  scenery 
and  zeal  of  friends  could  not  alone  win  the  prize  for  Townshend,  or 
any  other  locality.  Resolving  not  to  be  behind  others,  in  January, 
1834,  the  people  of  Townshend  instituted  measures  to  raise  the 
funds  needed.     This  was  done  by  voluntary  subscription. 

The  minutes  of  the  Woodstock  Association,  for  1834,  show 
that  a  committee  was  appointed  by  them  to  appoint  "twenty  trust- 
ees of  the  Leland  Classical  Institution  of  Townshend".  The  As- 
sociation also  chose  a  committee  of  five,  consisting  of  Chapin 
Howard,  Wm.  R.  Shafter,  Peter  R.  Taft,  Daniel  Cobb  and  Epaphro 
Ransom,  to  superintend  the  erection  of  a  school  building.  The 
General  Assembly,  in  the  autumn  of  1834,  granted  charters;  one 
for  Leland  Classical  and  English  School,  at  Townshend,  and  the 
other  for  Black  River  Academy,  at  Ludlow. 

The  name,  Leland,  was  m  honor  of  Lieutenant-Governor 
Aaron  Leland,  of  Chester.  The  use  of  his  name  was  a  fitting  trib- 
ute to  the  memory  of  one  who  had  stood  high  in  the  councils  of  his 
own  denomination  and  had  filled  a  large  place  in  the  hearts  of  the 
people. 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  trustees,  it  was  voted  that  the 
committee  that  had  previously  been  appointed  by  the  Association 
"to  superintend  the  erection  of  a  building,  be  a  committee  to 
superintend  the  financial  affairs  of  said  corporation  until  by-laws 
are  reported  and  adopted  by  said  trustees."  This  fact  con- 
stituted them  the  prudential  committee  and  no  successors  were 
appointed  that  year. 

The  committee  appointed  by  The  Woodstock  Association 
contracted  with  Daniel  Cobb,  of  Windham,  to  erect  a  brick  build- 
ing on  the  premises,  which  Ezra  Ober  had  conveyed  to  Chapin 
Howard  in  trust.  Mr.  Cobb  performed  the  terms  of  the  contract 
and  received  for  work  and  material,  $1,220. 

The  first  term  of  the  school  was  opened  in  the  autumn  of  1835 
by  Rev.  Erastus  Willard,  in  the  absence  of  Professor  A.  B.  Tilton, 


542  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

principal  elect.  Mr.  Willard  was  a  Baptist  clergyman  then  preach- 
ing in  Grafton,  Vt.,  afterw^ard  missionary  to  Paris.  Professor 
Tilton  soon  assumed  the  management  of  the  school,  which  under 
him  set  out  on  a  prosperous  career. 

The  Woodstock  Association  contmued  to  manifest  the  same 
fostering  care  for  the  two  schools  as  long  as  both  were  held  to  be 
within  its  territorial  limits,  and  their  yearly  minutes,  with  few 
exceptions,  until  1856,  contained  some  commendatory'  resolutions, 
or  favorable  mention,  and  many  times  they  appointed  visiting 
committees  for  each  school. 

In  1856,  or  thereabout,  the  Baptist  church  of  To^vnshend, 
transferred  its  connection  to  the  Windham  Asssociation  and  the 
Seminary  no  longer  appears  in  the  Woodstock  minutes.  The 
Windham  Association,  by  its  yearly  resolutions  and  in  other  ways, 
has  since  the  last  named  date  manifested  interest  in  the  prosperity 
of  the  school. 

Black  River  Academy  at  Ludlow  ^ 

This  academy  was  incorporated  in  1834.  Its  first  board  of 
trustees  were  nearly  all  Baptists  and  continued  so  through  its 
entire  existence.  Among  its  principals  were  Rev.  C.  B.  Smith, 
Rev.  Burbank  and  M.  C.  Hyde,  and  its  teachers  were  nearly  all 
Baptists.  It  was  often  recommended  to  patronage  by  the  Wood- 
stock Association  and  the  Windham  Association. 

In  1867,  the  trustees  were  authorized  by  an  Act  of  Legislature 
to  lease  the  property  to  District  No.  1,  in  the  to\\Ti  of  Ludlow, 
they  still  maintaining  their  organization  and  retaining  a  voice  in 
the  selection  of  teachers,  and  this  arrangement  still  continues. 
The  school  has  never  had  an  endowment,  although  some  small 
sums  were  occasionally  raised  for  its  aid,  which  seem  to  have  been 
used  for  repairs,  apparatus,  etc. 

Derby  Academy 

In  1839,  the  Danville  Association,  composed  of  the  Baptist 
churches  in  Caledonia  and  Orleans  Counties,  and  a  part  of  the 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  543 

eastern  townships  of  Canada,  "feeling  the  need  of  an  institution 
for  the  education  specially  of  yoimg  men,  for  ministerial  and  other 
professions,  chose  a  committee  to  locate  such  an  institution  under 
their  care  and  direction." 

This  committee,  after  visiting  Irasburg,  Barton,  Greensboro, 
Ha^d^v^ck  and  Walden,  fixed  upon  Derby  Center  as  the  most 
eligible  location.  The  late  Benjamin  Hinman  and  Lemuel  Rich- 
mond, members  of  the  Baptist  society  in  Derby,  gave  each  an  acre 
of  land,  and  suitable  buildings  were  erected  by  the  inhabitants 
in  the  following  summer — Colonel  Chester  Carpenter  defraying 
nearly  half  the  expense. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Association,  held  in  Burke,  June,  1840, 
the  school  was  called  The  Derby  Literary  and  Theological  Insti- 
tute, and  the  foUo-^A-ing  trustees  were  appointed,  viz. : 

J.  M.  Morrill,  L.  P.  Parks,  John  Hawes,  Rev.  Lewis  Fisher, 
Rev.  Rufus  Godding,  Enoch  Thomas,  Rev.  Silas  Da\ason,  John 
Bellows,  Rev.  Jonathan  Baldwin,  Jonathan  Lawrence,  Rev.  Aaron 
Angier,  Luman  Bomson,  Rev.  Silas  Grow%  Rev.  Horace  Hovey, 
Isaac  Denison,  Thomas  Baldwin,  E.  L.  Clark,  Rev.  S.  B.  Ryder, 
Dustin  Grow,  Rev.  Noah  Nichols,  Chester  Carpenter,  Hon.  D.  M. 
Camp,  Lemuel  Richmond,  Orem  Newcombe,  Davis  Blanchard, 
Israel  Ide,  M.  Cushing,  Rev.  Edward  Mitchell,  Isaac  Ives,  Enos 
Alger,  Rev.  N.  H.  Downs,  W.  Rexford,  Joel  Daggett,  Rev.  A.  H. 
House,  and  Joseph  Ide. 

Executive  committee.  Colonel  Chester  Carpenter,  Rev.  Noah 
Nichols,  and  Dr.  Lemuel  Richmond. 

The  next  September  the  school  was  opened.  Heman  Lincoln 
was  principal,  and  Miss  E.  Appleton,  (afterw^ard  Mrs.  John  Ives) 
preceptress.  The  school  numbered  one  hundred  and  forty-seven,, 
several  of  whom  were  fitting  for  college  and  have  since  become 
efficient  members  of  the  pulpit,  the  bar  and  the  medical  professions. 

In  the  years,  1841  and  1842,  Alvah  Hovey  and  Miss  Sarah 
Ayer,  of  New  Hampton,  were  the  principals. 

1843-1851,  Austin  Norcross  was  principal,  and  Miss  Ann 
Nichols,  (afterward  Mrs.  Austin  Norcross)  preceptress.  The 
number  of  students  ranged  from  one  hundred  to  one  hundred  and 
fifty  per  term. 


544  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

During  the  first  few  years,  the  Baptist  Association,  at  its 
annual  meetings  and  through  its  agents,  Jonathan  Baldwin,  N.  H. 
DowTis  and  Aaron  Angier,  contributed  generously  toward  its  sup- 
port; but  being  unable,  under  its  title  of  Theological  Institute,  to 
procure  a  charter  which  would  entitle  it  to  a  share  in  the  grammar 
school  funds,  the  trustees,  in  1845,  at  a  meeting  held  in  Derby,  de- 
cided to  substitute  the  name  Derby  Academy. 

In  1851,  the  ser\aces  of  Frederick  Mott,  A.  B.,  of  BrowTi 
University,  and  Miss  Emma  Dean,  of  New  Hampton  (afterward 
Mrs.  F.  Mott),  were  procured  and  they  remained  three  years. 
During  this  time  the  success  of  the  school  had  more  than  equalled 
the  expectations  of  its  most  sanguine  friends.  Perhaps  no  term 
passed  without  hopeful  conversions  of  several  members  of  the 
school. 

But  while  the  friends  of  the  institution  were  encouraged, 
there  had  been  a  growing  jealousy  on  the  part  of  some  prominent 
members  of  other  religious  societies  in  the  vicinity,  who  used 
strenuous  efforts  to  convert  the  academy  into  a  union  school,  and 
at  last  succeeded  in  electing  officers  in  equal  numbers  from  the  three 
societies.  Baptist,  Congregational,  and  Methodist,  near  the  close  of 
Mr.  Mott 's  term  of  service.  The  school,  being  under  the  especial 
care  of  no  one  in  particular,  diminished  in  numbers  and  standing; 
this  giving  one  more  proof  of  the  truthfulness  of  the  homely  adage, 
"What  is  everybody's  business  is  nobody's." 

In  1871,  at  the  session  of  the  Convention  when  the  question 
of  a  new  institution  was  under  discussion,  which  resulted  in  the 
founding  of  Vermont  Academy,  a  communication  was  received  from 
the  trustees  of  Derby  Academy,  offering  the  buildings  and  other 
property  of  the  corporation  to  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion, and  a  resolution  was  offered  by  Rev.  J.  G.  Lorimer:  "That 
we  accept  the  trust  and  manage  the  school." 

This  resolution  was  referred  to  the  Board.  No  mention  of 
this  matter  is  made  in  the  subsequent  reports  of  the  Board.  In 
1873,  however,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  look  after  the  de- 
nominational institutions  of  learning  in  the  State,  and  the  following 
year,  Mr.  Rugg,  in  behalf  of  the  committee,  made  a  verbal  report 
concerning  Derby  Academy,  and  Rev.  J.  G.  Lorimer  spoke  of  its 
condition  and  wants. 


Hon.  Levi  K.  Fuller 

Governor  of  Vermont  1892—1894 
Born,  1841— Died,  1896 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  545 

Among  the  many  who  prepared  here  for  college,  some  of  whom 
entered  one  or  two  years  in  advance,  mention  should  be  made  of  the 
following  who  became  clergj'men,  viz.:  Marvin  Hodge,  D.  D.; 
Moses  Bixby,  missionary;  Charles  S.  Morse,  and  Zenas  Goss,  mis- 
sionaries to  Turkey;  W.  W.  Niles,  Professor  of  languages,  Trinity 
College,  Hartford,  Conn.;  J.  C.  Hyde,  Nathan  Denison,  Charles 
Willey,  Isaac  Waldron,  Horace  Hovey,  B.  F.  Morse,  Clark  E. 
Ferrin,  J.  G.  Lorimer,  John  Kimball. 

Of  those  who  became  lawyers:  Hon.  Benjamin  H.  Steele, 
Hugh  Buchanan,  Edgar  Bullock,  Alonzo  Bartlett,  Major  Amasa 
Bartlett,  Enoch  Bartlett,  Ossian  Ray,  George  and  Charles  Robin- 
son, L.  H.  Bisbee,  Jerry  Dickemian,  B.  F.  D.  Carpenter,  Alonzo 
Bates. 

Physicians:  Geo.  Hinman,  Simeon  Corey,  Cephas  Adams, 
John  Buchanan,  John  Iver,  John  Masta. 

To  these  should  be  added:  John  Graham,  L.  L.  D.,  presi- 
dent of  St.  Francis  College,  Richmond;  Paschal  Bates,  Edwin 
Bates,  Charleston,  S.  C,  Alva  Godding,  D.  M.  Camp,  editor  of 
Newport  Express,  and  N.  W.  Bingham,  knoTkVTi  for  his  poetical 
talent. 

Vermont  Academy 

The  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention,  which  assembled 
in  Windsor,  November  10,  1869,  was  attended  by  two  brethren 
who  had  pondered  earnestly  for  some  time  previous,  the  educa- 
tional interests  of  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  and  who  were  mutually 
pledged  to  test  the  practicability  of  inaugurating  in  this  Conven- 
tion, some  movement  looking  to  the  establishment  of  a  new  and 
well  endowed  academy  in  this  State.  On  the  joint  solicitation  of 
these  brethren,  the  chairman  of  the  committee  on  resolutions. 
Rev.  Charles  Hibbard,  cordially  consented  to  introduce  the  follow- 
ing resolution: 

"Resolved,  that  the  time  has  come  when  the  Baptists  of  Ver- 
mont should  awaken  to  an  increased  interest  in  the  subject  of  gen- 
eral education,  and  should  express  that  interest  by  taking  immediate 
steps  to  secure  the  establishment  and  adequate  endowment  of  a 


546  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

first-class  literary  and  scientific  institute  for  the  education  of  our 
youth  of  both  sexes."  The  resolution,  after  receiving  consider- 
able discussion,  disclosing  a  general  incredulity  of  success  in  the 
project,  was,  however,  at  length  adopted,  the  measure  being  al- 
lowed to  receive,  substantially  uncontested,  the  votes  of  the  few 
earnest  friends.  The  following  brethren  were  appointed  a  com- 
mittee to  take  the  necessary  preliminary  measures  for  carrying  the 
resolution  into  effect:  T.  H.  Archibald,  W.  L.  Palmer,  S.  F. 
Brown,  G.  S.  Chase,  M.  A.  Wilcox,  R.  J.  Jones,  Wm.  M.  Pingry. 
The  progress  made  by  the  committee  in  their  work  during  the  fol- 
lowing year  was  reported  by  the  chairman,  Rev.  T.  H.  Archibald, 
to  the  State  Convention  held  in  Hydeville,  October  o  and  6,  1870. 
They  had  addressed  a  circular  to  all  the  Baptist  pastors  of  the 
State,  inquiring:  First,  Do  you  judge  such  an  institution  among 
the  Baptists  of  this  State  necessary  to  their  prosperity  and  ad- 
vancement? Secondly,  Are  you  ready  to  cooperate  in  founding 
and  maintaining  it?  The  answer  to  both  these  questions,  with 
verj'  few  exceptions,  was  unexpectedly  hearty  and  emphatic  in  the 
affirmative. 

A  meeting  was  called  to  consider  the  matter  further,  in  con- 
nection with  the  ministerial  institute  held  in  Brattleboro,  in  the 
month  of  February,  which  was  addressed  by  S.  S.  Cutting,  D.  D., 
and  a  general  expression  of  feeling  was  decided  in  regard  to  the 
great  need  of  such  a  movement  as  was  contemplated.  Wishing 
to  proceed  intelligently  in  their  work,  the  committee  sent  out  a 
circular  to  all  the  churches,  inquiring  the  number  of  young  people 
between  the  ages  of  fourteen  and  twenty -one,  connected  with 
Baptist  congregations;  the  number  of  those  studying  in  Baptist 
schools;  the  number  studying  in  schools  of  other  denominations; 
the  number  studying  in  schools  of  no  denominational  character  and 
the  number  of  graduates  of  colleges.  Returns  were  received  and 
collated  from  only  thirty -one  churches,  but  these  furnished  some 
very  suggestive  facts.  The  committee  was  encouraged  to  believe 
that  the  enterprise  was  commending  itself  to  the  judgment,  and 
entrenching  itself  in  the  hearts  of  benevolent,  enterprising,  far- 
seeing  laymen,  and  that  the  prospect  of  a  first-class  academy, 
under  the  control  of  Baptists  of  Vermont,  was  bright.     The  report 


HISTORY  or  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  547 

of  the  committee  was  received  as  a  report  of  progress,  and  on  mo- 
tion of  one  of  the  committee,  Hon.  LawTence  Barnes,  of  Burhng- 
ton,  and  Rev.  Charles  Hibbard,  of  Chester,  were  added  to  the  com- 
mittee. Subsequently  the  Convention  adopted  the  following 
resolution : 

''Resolved,  that  this  Convention  hails  with  joy  the  progress 
which  has  been  made  by  the  educational  committee,  in  ascertain- 
ing the  state  of  opinion  and  feeling  in  the  churches  on  the  ques- 
tion of  establishing  a  first-class  academy  in  Vermont,  under  the 
auspices  of  the  denomination,  and  in  giving  practical  direction  to 
this  important  project. 

''Resolved,  that  the  committee  are  requested  to  proceed  with 
their  work,  expressing  always  in  their  consultations  and  appeals 
the  conviction  of  this  body,  that  our  churches  will  have  done  their 
best  work  for  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  of  christian  civilization,  only 
as  the  higher  forms  of  education  are  made  easily  and  cheaply 
accessible  to  all  our  sons  and  daughters."  During  the  year  en- 
suing, the  committee  prosecuted  their  work  with  renewed  zeal, 
and  at  the  expiration  of  the  second  year  of  their  labors  the  com- 
mittee laid  before  the  unusually  large  Convention,  assembled  in 
Burlington;  October  4,  1871,  the  following  as  their  final  report: 

"Your  committee,  in  accordance  vnth  the  report  of  last  year, 
have  prosecuted  the  investigation  which  had  then  been  com- 
menced, and  ask  leave  to  present  the  following  report:  They 
have  received  returns  from  sixty -five  of  the  one  hundred  and  two 
churches  in  the  State,  of  which  nine,  including  several  of  the  most 
able,  do  not  report  the  amount  of  property  connected  with  them. 
These  reports  disclose  the  following  facts:  There  are,  in  these 
sixty-five  churches,  two  thousand,  two  hundred  and  twenty  per- 
sons between  fourteen  and  twenty-one  years  of  age.  Of  these, 
one  hundred  and  twelve  are  in  attendance  on  Baptist  schools, 
seventy  of  whom  belong  to  the  congregation  in  Fairfax,  leaving 
forty-one  from  the  other  sixty-three  churches  in  attendance  on 
Baptist  academies.  There  are  attending  schools  of  other  denomi- 
nations, three  hundred  and  forty-seven;  and  attending  schools 
under  no  denominational  control,  three  hundred  and  twenty-five. 
Sixty-nine  persons  over  twenty -one  years  of  age  are  engaged  in 


548  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

attendance  upon  schools,  mostly  of  other  denominations.  We 
have  forty-four  graduates  of  colleges,  and  ninety-six  graduates  of 
other  schools,  not  including  commercial  academies.  The  prop- 
erty reported  amounts  to  $5,819,991." 

These  statistics  show  that  only  one-third  of  our  youth  are 
receiving  any  academic  education,  and  only  one-twentieth  of  them 
are  being  educated  by  Baptists. 

They  further  show  (condensing  the  remainder  of  the  report) 
that  the  Baptist  institutions,  now  in  existence  among  us,  command 
only  an  exceedingly  narrow  local  patronage;  that  it  is  in  vain  to 
hope  that  to  any  considerable  extent  our  youth  will  be  sent  to 
Baptist  institutions  outside  the  State.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  less 
than  one  in  a  hundred  of  them  go  away  from  Vermont  to  attend  a 
Baptist  academy.  That  abundant  means  for  the  accomplishment 
of  all  that  we  need  in  this  direction,  a  contribution  of  a  little  more 
than  one  per  cent  of  the  property  of  the  Baptists  of  the  State — less 
than  the  amount  required  by  this  Convention  to  be  raised  by  the 
feeblest  church  which  it  aids  for  the  support  of  the  Gospel  at  home — 
would  endow  an  academy  with  $100,000. 

"Your  committee  have  discharged,  to  the  best  of  their 
ability,  the  work  committed  to  their  hands.  They  were  not  em- 
powered to  raise  funds  for  this  purpose,  or  to  locate  or  endow 
an  academy.  Still,  they  feel  deeply  that  the  time  has  come  when 
this  work  should  be  entered  upon  in  resolute  earnestness.  It  has 
come  to  their  knowledge  that  a  legacy  has  already  been  made  for 
this  purpose,  and  that  another  waits  only  for  a  permanent  organiza- 
tion to  which  it  can  Ije  bequeathed.  They,  therefore,  recommend 
to  the  Convention  to  choose  a  Board  consisting  of  from  nine  to 
fifteen  trustees,  three  of  whom  shall  hereafter  be  elected  by  the 
Convention  and  the  Board,  as  to  its  remaining  members,  to  be  self- 
perpetuating  in  three  classes,  with  the  sole  limitation  that  they 
shall  be  members  in  good  standing  of  Baptist  churches,  who  shall 
organize  as  a  corporate  body  under  the  laws  of  the  State,  and  pro- 
ceed to  found  a  first-class  academy  in  Vermont,  and  to  endow  and 
control  the  same. 

Signed  by  each  member  of  the  committee. " 

On  this  occasion,  able  addresses  were  delivered  by  Alvah 
Hovey,  D.  D.,  of  Newton  Theological  Seminary,  and  Sewall  S. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT.  549 

Cutting,  D.  D.,  secretary  of  the  American  Baptist  Education 
Commission,  and  Rev.  H.  C.  Estes,  of  Jericho,  after  which  the  fol- 
lowing resolution  was  adopted: 

"Resolved,  that  on  nomination  of  the  chair,  a  committee  of 
three  be  now  appointed  to  nominate  a  board  of  from  nine  to  fif- 
teen persons,  whose  duty  it  shall  be  to  prosecute  the  work  of  estab- 
lishing and  endowing  a  new  educational  institution  in  this  State,^ 
to  determine  the  question  relative  to  its  location,  and  raise  for  it 
an  endowTuent  fund  of  at  least  $100,000,  exclusive  of  grounds, 
buildings,  and  apparatus,  and  to  secure  for  it,  from  the  General 
Assembly  of  the  State,  an  act  of  incorporation  for  themselves  and 
their  successors,  as  the  Corporation,  or  Board  of  Trustees,  for  the 
said  academy,  with  such  conditions,  limitations  and  powers,  in 
accordance  \A-ith  the  report  just  adopted,  as  shall  seem  to  them 
advisable." 

Rev.  H.  C.  Estes,  M.  Davis,  Esq.,  and  Rev.  W.  N.  Wilbur 
were  appointed  such  committee.  Subsequently  this  committee 
reported,  recommending  that  the  following  named  brethren  be 
chosen  to  constitute  the  Board  of  Trustees,  contemplated  in  the 
foregoing  resolution: 

Board  of  Trustees:  Hon.  William  M.  Pingry,  Rev.  T.  H. 
Archibald,  Rev.  Charles  Hibbard,  Rev.  W.  N.  Wilbur,  L.  K. 
Fuller,  Esq.,  Hon.  Alanson  Allen,  R.  M.  Galusha,  Esq.,  Hon. 
LawTence  Barnes,  Rev.  S.  F.  Brown,  Rev.  E.  Mills,  Rev.  M.  A. 
Wilcox. 

These  brethren  immediately  took  measures  for  effecting  a 
legal  incorporation  under  the  General  Statutes  of  Vermont.  Re- 
markable progress  was  made  during  this  year.  A  circular  was 
issued  by  the  Board  of  Trustees,  rehearsing  the  historj^  of  the 
enterprise,  announcing  the  decision  of  the  Board,  selecting  Saxtons 
River  as  the  location  for  the  academy,  stating  that  Mr.  Charles 
L.  Jones  had  given  to  this  enterprise  $20,000;  the  citizens  of  Sax- 
tons  River,  $30,000;  and  Baptists  in  other  places,  $20,000,  and 
appealing  for  the  completion  of  the  endowment. 

The  cheering  announcements  in  the  circular  drew  from  the 
ensuing  Convention  the  following  cordial  acknowledgement  of  the 
Divine  interposition: 


550  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

"Resolved,  that  we  gratefully  recognize  the  hand  of  God  in 
the  signal  success  which  has  attended  the  labors  of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  appointed  at  our  last  annual  meetmg,  at  Burlington,  to 
prosecute  the  work  of  establishing  in  this  State  a  well  endowed 
academy  of  the  highest  order;  that  we  regard  the  sudden  and  un- 
expected opening  of  the  school  at  Saxtons  River,  and  the  sub- 
stantial encouragement  given  for  its  location  there,  as  singularly 
providential;  and  we  commend  this  enterprise  to  the  friends  of 
education,  and  our  churches  generally,  as  preeminent  in  its  im- 
portance and  claims  at  the  present  time  and  especially  deserving 
their  cordial  sympathy  and  generous  subscriptions." 

The  Convention  appointed  as  members  of  the  academy 
board,  raising  the  number  to  fifteen,  for  permanent  member, 
J.  J.  Estey,  Esq.;  for  three  years.  Rev.  L.  J.  Mattison;  for  two 
years.  Rev.  I.  D.  Bursvell;  for  one  year,  Rev.  H.  C.  Estes.  At  a 
meeting  of  the  board  in  1872,  Rev.  W.  N.  Wilbur  was  appointed 
financial  agent,  and  in  less  than  one  year  from  the  time  of  his  ap- 
pointment the  complete  subscription  of  $100,000,  for  the  endowment 
of  the  academy,  was  secured. 

This  is  the  story  of  the  fomiding  of  Vermont  Academy  and  a 
bright  portion  of  the  history  of  Vermont  Baptists  in  educational 
lines.  The  academy  soon  became  the  pride  of  our  people,  its 
buildings  stately  and  beautifully  situated,  its  facultj'  able  and 
attractive,  and  its  student  body  large  and  enthusiastic.  The 
Esteys  and  Levi  K.  Fuller  became,  especially,  personally  interested 
in  the  school  and  were  generous  in  their  gifts  and  in  their  devotion 
of  time  to  the  interests  of  the  school.  The  platform  of  the  Conven- 
tion has  always  been  accessible  by  the  trustees  of  the  academy  for 
the  account  of  its  work  and  the  presentation  of  its  claims.  The 
Associations  also  have  welcomed  the  representatives  of  its  manage- 
ment. The  part  taken  by  the  State  Convention,  in  1900  and  sub- 
sequently, has  been  narrated  in  the  chapter  on  the  State  Conven- 
tion. 

New  Hampton  Institution,  Fairfax 

One  of  the  most  interesting  and  noteworthy  events  in  the 
history  of  Vermont  Baptists  was  the  rise  and  decline  of  New  Hamp- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  551 

ton  Institution.  The  history  of  that  institution  has  never  been 
fully  written.  Materials  for  such  a  chapter  now  are  somewhat 
scanty.  Most  of  the  men  w^ho  promoted  it  have  passed  away,  but 
the  influence  of  the  school  abides,  and  the  denomination  owes 
much  to  the  work  it  accomplished.  In  the  beginning,  a  wonderful 
opportunity  was  promptly  improved,  later,  it  seems,  from  the 
present  point  of  view,  a  magnificent  providentical  opportunity  was 
lost  by  the  failure  of  Vermont  Baptists  to  support  an  institution 
which  for  a  time  was  one  of  its  choicest  treasures. 

For  some  time  previous  to  1852,  the  problem  how  to  secure  a 
supply  of  suitably  trained  ministers  for  our  Vermont  churches  was 
weighing  on  the  minds  of  many.  Rev.  I.  H.  Parker,  in  his  circular 
letter  read  before  the  Lamoille  Association  in  1850,  expressed 
sentiments  then  widely  current.  He  said,  "It  is  granted,  I  be- 
lieve, that  ministers  of  the  Gospel,  in  order  to  labor  successfully 
among  us,  should  be  raised  in  Vermont.  Exotics  do  not  thrive  in 
our  high  latitude.  If  this  is  true,  then  Vermont  must  furnish 
her  own  ministers.  This,  at  least,  must  be  the  general  rule,  and  each 
Association  should  furnish  a  number  sufficient  to  supply  all  her  own 
churches,  and  her  proportion  to  go  abroad  to  destitute  regions  and 
preach  the  Gospel  where  Christ  has  not  been  named.  So  many  and 
pressing  are  the  calls  to  other  regions,  that,  unless  we  can  raise  up 
men  upon  our  o-v^ti  soil  to  labor  among  us,  our  churches  must  suffer 
more  or  less  by  destitution.  We  labor  under  some  very  serious 
embarrassments  as  Baptists  in  Vermont.  We  have  no  institution 
of  our  own  at  which  pious  young  men  can  carry  forward  to  its 
consummation  a  course  of  study  preparatory  to  the  ministry. 
The  consequence  is  that  most  of  our  young  men  go  abroad  to  study 
and  never  return  among  us.  Is  there  not  something  for  us  to  do 
in  this  behalf?  A  native  educated  ministry  and  a  school  in  which 
to  train  them  were  the  needs  of  the  time." 

Some  of  the  brethren,  who  were  wont  to  make  practical  ap- 
plication of  wnse  suggestions,  began  to  inquu-e  as  to  the  possibility 
of  Vermont  having  an  institution  of  her  own.  A  providential  op- 
portunity was  in  sight.  At  that  time  New  Hampton  Institution 
in  New  Hampshire  was  in  financial  straits.  The  hope  of  New 
Hampshire  endowing  and  maintaining  it  was  waning  and  nearly 
gone.     Could   it   be  transferred   to   Vermont?     Could   Vermont 


552  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

endow  and  maintain  it?  Upon  inquirj'  the  possibility  of  a  transfer 
became  evident.  The  Northern  Educational  Union  was  formed 
to  finance  the  enterprise.  Subscriptions  were  solicited  and 
obtained. 

In  October,  1852,  the  Convention  met  in  Hyde\Tlle,  and  after 
an  address  by  Dr.  Caldicott,  secretary  of  the  Northern  Baptist 
Education  Society,  and  a  collection  of  $100  for  that  object,  the 
business  of  the  Convention  was  suspended  to  see  if  $2,000  could 
be  raised  to  complete  the  $20,000  needed  for  the  endowment  of 
New  Hampton  Institution,  to  be  transferred  to  Fairfax.  This 
sum  was  promptly  pledged  and  prayer  offered,  expressing  gratitude 
for  the  signal  success.  At  2  o'clock  the  Northern  Educational 
Union,  which  had  previously  been  organized,  met.  Rev.  L. 
Howard  was  appointed  president  pro  tem  and  Rev.  M.  G.  Hodge, 
secretary.  A  statement  of  the  circumstances  which  called  the 
Union  into  existence,  and  of  the  action  up  to  this  time,  was  made 
by  Rev.  H.  L.  Parker.  A  plan  of  the  buildings  which  the  people  of 
Fairfax  proposed  to  erect,  was  presented  by  Rev.  L.  A.  Dunn,  and 
a  board  of  trustees  was  elected  by  ballot. 

That  same  year,  1852,  the  trustees  of  New  Hampton  Institu- 
tion presented  their  report  to  the  New  Hampshire  Baptist  State 
Convention,  in  which  they  told  of  the  efforts  to  sustain  the  theolog- 
ical department  for  more  than  twenty  years,  and  stated  that  only 
about  $4,000  had  been  secured  toward  the  $20,000  proposed ;  that  the 
debts  were  then  about  $2,400;  that  they  had  received  a  proposition 
from  the  brethren  in  \'ermont  that  they  would  raise  an  endo\nnent 
of  $20,000  and  would  provide  suitable  buildings  if  the  institution 
were  removed  to  that  State.  Being  convinced  that  there  was  no 
prospect  of  obtaining  an  endo\\'nient  in  New  Hampshire,  the 
trustees  asked  the  Convention  to  give  them  authority  to  transfer 
the  institution  to  the  Northern  Educational  Union,  which  had 
been  formed  in  Vermont.  ^\fter  considerable  discussion  in  two 
sessions  of  the  Convention,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Board  of 
the  Convention.  The  Board  decided  in  favor  of  making  the 
transfer.  AYritings  were  executed  the  10th  of  November,  1852, 
by  which  all  the  liabilities  of  the  in.stitution  were  assumed  by  the 
Board  in  Vermont,  in  consideration  of  which  the  property  of  the 
institution  was  conveyed  to  said  Board. 


New  Hampton  Literary  and  Theological  Institution  f 

Fairfax,  Vt. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  553 

The  Institution  was  reopened  at  Fairfax  the  30th  of  August, 
1753,  with  fourteen  theological  students  and  a  total  of  one  hun- 
dred and  forty,  as  many  as  could  be  accommodated  at  that  time. 
Another  boarding-house  was  then  near  completion. 

The  site  provided  for  the  new  buildings  was  one  of  the  finest 
in  Fairfax,  commanding  a  xievr  of  Mount  Mansfield,  the  highest 
of  the  Green  mountains,  and  a  wide  extent  of  country  in  every 
direction.  The  grounds  were  ample.  The  buildings  were  sugges- 
tive of  the  ideals  entertained  by  the  promoters  of  the  Institution. 
Three  large  buildings  were  connected  in  such  a  manner  as  to  give 
an  imposing  architectural  front.  The  center  building  was  the  old 
meeting-house,  furnishing  a  chapel  on  the  lower  floor,  an  assembly 
hall  on  the  second,  and  above  this  was  a  Masonic  hall.  The  new 
buildings  were  three  stories  high,  with  tall  columns  giving  them  a 
classical  appearance.  These  buildings  furnished  recitation  rooms, 
reading  rooms  and  dormitories.  A  dome  surmounted  the  whole 
structure.  This  dome-crowmed,  composite  building  could  be  seen 
for  miles  around  and  the  picture  it  made  will  never  be  erased  from 
the  memories  of  those  who  often  saw  it. 

At  the  opening  of  the  school,  students  came  in  encouraging 
numbers.  In  1854,  three  hundred  and  thirty-five  yoimg  people 
availed  themselves  of  the  advantages  of  this  school,  during  all  or  a 
portion  of  the  year.  The  average  attendance  was  one  hundred 
and  thirty-nine.  Twenty-six  young  men  were  in  the  theological 
department.  The  faculty  was  a  very  able  one.  At  the  head,  as 
president  and  Follett  professor  of  biblical  theology  and  pastoral 
duties,  was  Rev.  Eli  E.  Smith,  eminent  as  a  scholar  and  teacher. 
One,  who  as  a  pupil  knew  him,  says  "He  was  a  dignified  man, 
with  a  kindly  heart.  Most  of  the  students  were  afraid  of  him  a 
little."  Rev.  James  Upham,  A.  M.,  was  professor  of  sacred  litera- 
ture and  ecclesiastical  history.  He  is  said  to  have  been  a  careful 
student,  who  loved  Latin  as  he  did  his  meals.  Mark  A.  Cum- 
mings  was  professor  of  mathematics  and  the  natural  sciences. 
John  A.  Pooler  was  tutor  of  the  preparatory  department.  In  the 
female  department  was  Laura  A.  Gage,  principal  and  teacher  of 
German  and  moral  sciences.  Susan  M.  Ham,  teacher  of  Latin 
and   rhetoric.     Martha  J.  Tucker,  teacher  of  mathematics  and 


554  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

French.  Nellie  F.  Gate,  teacher  of  drawing,  painting  and  French. 
Anne  E.  Taylor,  teacher  of  preparatory  department.  Susan  Weir, 
teacher  of  vocal  and  instrumental  music. 

Three  courses  of  study  were  arranged:  a  preparatory  course 
for  young  people  whose  parents  wished  them  to  be  under  careful 
training  and  for  those  who  were  not  well  prepared  to  enter  at 
once  the  higher  grades;  an  English  and  classical  course  designed 
to  give  thorough,  practical  education,  more  extended  than  that 
of  academies  and  high  schools  and  less  extended  than  that  of  the 
New  England  Colleges,  including  as  much  of  Latin  and  Greek 
as  would  prepare  one  to  enter  college;  and  so  much  of  history, 
higher  mathematics,  natural  sciences,  rhetoric,  logic,  intellectual 
and  moral  philosophy  as  were  necessan^^  for  any  occupation  aside 
from  the  learned  professions.  The  theological  department  was 
designed  for  students  for  the  ministry,  who  did  not  wish  to  pursue 
the  nine  years '  course  in  the  ordinary  system.  It  was  a  very  %nde 
and  thorough  course. 

The  expenses  to  students  were  reduced  to  the  minimum. 
Young  ladies  could  be  boarded  at  the  boarding-house  for  from 
$1.75  to  $2.00  a  week.  This  sum  paid  for  lioard,  washing,  room 
rent,  use  of  furniture  and  wood.  One  can  hardly  read  without  a 
smile  the  one  requirement  mentioned  in  the  catalogs:  "Each 
young  lady  is  expected  to  furnish  towels  and  teaspoon  or  dessert- 
spoon for  herself."  Young  men  could  obtain  board  at  about  the 
same  rate,  and  in  clubs  could  reduce  expenses  below  these  figures. 
For  tuition  a  general  charge  was  made  on  all  students  of  $3.00,  to 
which  was  added  for  each  branch  of  higher  mathematics,  $.50; 
for  ancient  and  modern  languages,  $l.'-25;  bookkeeping,  by  single 
and  double  entry,  $1.12;  natural  philosophy,  geography  of  the 
heavens,  and  astronomy,  each  $.50;  mineralog\%  botany,  and 
zoology,  each  $.50;  anatomy  and  physiology  with  lectures,  $1.00; 
geologj'  with  lectures,  $1.00;  chemistry  with  lectures  and  experi- 
ments, $2.00;  mental  and  moral  science,  rhetoric,  logic,  evidences 
of  natural  and  revealed  religion,  history  of  English  literature, 
criticism,  Butler's  Analog^',  each  $.75;  writing  and  vocal  music, 
accordmg  to  the  number  of  lessons;  music  on  piano  or  organ,  two 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  555 

lessons  per  week,  $8.00;  use  of  instrunient,  $2.00;  painting  in 
water  colors,  $2.00;  oil  painting,  $5.00;  incidental  charges  per 
quarter,  $.25. 

Rev.  E.  B.  Smith  and  Dr.  James  Upham  continued  in  their 
positions  till  the  death  of  Mr.  Smith,  January-  5,  1886,  when  Dr. 
Upham  became  principal  and  continued  in  that  position  till  1867, 
when  Joseph  S.  Small  and  Milon  Davison  were  the  male  teachers, 
two  years,  and  Milon  Davison  and  Edwin  C.  Ferguson  in  1869. 
The  lady  principals  during  this  time  were  Laura  A.  Gage,  1854- 
1856;  Susan  Ham,  1857-1858;  Caroline  V.  Bums,  1860-1861; 
Mary  E.  Mayo,  1861;  Sara  D.  Freeman,  1862-1863;  Frances  J. 
Chamberlin,  1864;  Marj^  G.  Wadsworth,  1865-1866;  Juliette  E. 
Miles,  1867-1868;  Emma  A.  Barton,  1869. 

Rev.  Alvah  Sabin  was  president  of  the  Board  of  Trustees  till 
1860,  when  Rev.  Joseph  Freeman  became  president,  with  Alvah 
Sabin,  vice-president  till  1865,  when  Alvah  Sabin  was  again  presi- 
dent, with  Rev.  L.  A.  Dunn,  vice-president,  till  1868,  when  L.  A. 
Dunn  was  president,  and  T.  H.  Archibald,  vice-president. 

The  Institution  was  conducted  with  utmost  discretion  and 
ability.  The  discipline  was  rigid,  but  the  students  did  not  be- 
come restive  under  the  restraint.  As  a  body,  the  students  were 
loyal  to  the  Institution  and  a  fine  school  spirit  was  developed.  An 
evangelistic  spirit  was  constantly  cultivated.  Many  conversions 
occurred  among  the  students.  The  Baptist  church,  of  which  Rev. 
L.  A.  Dunn  was  so  long  pastor,  was  in  cordial  sympathy  with  the 
school  and  exerted  its  full  influence  upon  it.  The  faculty  were 
active  in  the  church.  In  the  first  decade  of  the  school  life  the 
church  membership  increased  from  two  hundred  to  two  hundred 
and  ninety-six.  The  whole  surrounding  country  felt  the  elevating 
and  refining  influence  of  the  Institution. 

The  theological  students  supplied  churches  near  and  far  and 
did  splendid  work,  while  gaining  valuable  experience  for  their  later 
ministry. 

For  nearly  twenty  years  the  Institution  was  maintained,  with 
an  attendance  of  between  two  hundred  and  three  hundred  students. 
For  a  time  there  was  a  decrease,  followed  by  gain.  From  1863, 
to  1866,  there  was  an  increase  in  the  aggregate  attendance  from 


556  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

two  hundred  and  thirty-three  to  four  hundred  and  ninety-five. 
The  Civil  war  made  serious  inroads  into  the  school,  many  of  the 
students  enlisting  in  the  Union  Army.  But  while  the  outward  ap- 
pearances of  the  school  were  prosperous,  the  causes  of  decay  were 
at  work.  The  endowment  was  largely  in  notes  and  the  interest 
only  available,  and  when  the  donors  died  the  principal  lapsed  in 
some  cases.  The  financial  basis  was  inadequate  to  the  support  of  a 
school  upon  so  high  ideals. 

When  the  financial  stress  became  acute,  there  came  a  division 
of  sentiment  as  to  the  course  to  be  followed.  Some  were  in  favor 
of  reducing  the  scale  of  the  school  to  the  proportions  of  the  en- 
dowment; the  faculty  and  others  were  opposed  to  this,  believing 
that  the  hope  of  an  increased  endowment  depended  upon  main- 
taining the  high  standing  of  the  school.  Unhappily,  difference  in 
judgment  generated  discord  and  bitterness  of  feeling.  While 
discussions  continued,  the  work  of  raising  an  endowment  was  de- 
ferred and  the  sympathies  of  the  denomination  for  the  school  were 
being  withdra\\ii.  The  death  of  Principal  E.  L.  Smith  was  a  fatal 
blow  to  the  Institution. 

There  is  reason  to  belie^'e  that  if  he  had  lived  he  would  have 
succeeded  in  raising  the  endowment,  for  which  he  was  planning, 
and  the  school  would  have  been  saved.  The  founding  of  Vermont 
Academy  at  Saxtons  River  tended  to  divert  attention  and  interest 
from  New  Hampton,  creating  a  rival  interest,  and  this  once  flourish- 
ing institution  gradually  declined  to  an  inferior  private  school  and 
later  the  buildings  were  occupied  by  the  to%\Ti  public  schools,  till 
the  tragic  end  came  in  the  l)urnuig  of  the  buildings  to  the  ground 
in  1897. 

The  early  history  of  the  Institution  was  so  bright,  its  useful- 
ness so  evident,  that  its  decline  seems  little  short  of  an  occasion  for 
regret,  if  not  of  grief. 

Rev.  Alvah  Sabin  Hobart,  in  a  recent  letter,  writes,  "I  can 
scarcely  conceive  of  a  school  being  of  more  practical  use  than  that 
school  was  at  that  time.  It  stood  among  the  best  of  its  grade  then. 
As  I  look  at  it  now  that  school  had  a  divinely  assigned  work  and 
it  did  it  splendidly.     It  failed,  not  because  its  aim  was  not  right, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


557 


nor  because  the  teachers  were  not  competent,  but  because  of  the 
changing  circumstances  of  the  people  and  of  the  changed  demands 
of  the  times." 

The  Northern  Educational  Union  still  maintains  a  legal 
existence,  holding  whatever  property  remains  of  the  original  body. 
A  small  school  building  has  been  erected  on  the  site  of  the  old 
ones,  and  this  is  used  for  educational  purposes,  and  is  the  seat  of 
the  Green  Mountain  Bible  and  Missionary  Institute,  which  holds 
its  annual  sessions  there  in  the  summer,  and  for  a  short  time  pre- 
sents scenes  reminding  the  older  residents  of  Fairfax  of  the  early 
days  of  the  New  Hampton  Institution. 

Ministers  who  Studied  at  New  Hampton  Institution 


Sullivan  Adams, 
Lucius  Ames, 
Willard  W.  Ames, 
Ruel  W.  Arnold, 
George  W.  Arms, 
Henry  C.  Beals, 
George  W.  Bixby, 
Samuel  A.  Blake, 
Swett  F.  BrowTi, 
Joseph  W.  Buzzell, 
Waitstill  Bliss, 
Corwin  Blaisdell, 
John  F.  Bassett, 
Sanford  L.  Burnham, 
E.  M.  Bixby, 
Amariah  K.  Batchelder, 
Reuben  Emerson  Bartlett, 
John  Henry  Bowker, 
John  N.  Chase, 
A.  J.  Chandler, 
Silas  F.  Dean, 
John  Fairman, 
James  F.  Furguson, 


George  Keely, 
Joseph  G.  Lorimer, 
Frederick  F.  Lyman, 
William  P.  Lowrie, 
Halsey  C.  Leavitt, 
William  E.  Lockheart, 
John  II .  Mansfield, 
Thomas  C.  Morley, 
Bailey  S.  Morse, 
Albert  McGlauflin, 
George  W.  Mason, 
C.  D.  R.  Meacham, 
James  Mitchell, 
Frank  E.  Osborn, 
Henry  C.  Pierce, 
Nehemiah  Pierce, 
David  J.  Pierce, 
George  H.  Parker, 
A.  W.  Peet, 
Clark  J.  Rugg, 
Daniel  Rogers, 
Joseph  Small, 
John  W.  Smith, 


558 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Cyprian  Frenyear, 
Charles  E.  Fisher, 
Melvin  L.  Fox, 
John  S.  Goodall, 
George  B.  Greenough, 
H.  P.  Guam, 
WilHam  C.  Gunn, 
Asahel  S.  Gilbert, 
Egbert  B.  Hatch, 
Lewis  B.  Hibbard, 
Merrill  Howard, 
Thomas  B.  Holden, 
Frank  S.  Hesseltine, 
John  W.  Henr\% 
William  Dana  Hall, 
Charles  H.  Hickok, 
E.  H.  Emorj'  Jameson, 
Luman  Kinney, 
William  H.  Kelton, 


J.  H.  Shepardson, 
Levi  B.  Steele, 
Arvin  A.  Smith, 
O.  C.  Sargent, 
John  Shean, 
Jeireh  Tucker, 
John  C.  Thayer, 
Isaac  A.  Taylor, 
Edmund  Therrien, 
Irvin  VanBuskert, 
A.  J.  Walker, 
Nathaniel  Whittemore, 
James  E.  Wiggin, 
Nathan  Wardner, 
H.  Olin  Walker, 
Plmy  F.  White, 
Asahel  N.  Woodruff, 
E.  A.  Wyman, 
Lysander  W  ood. 


To  these  might  be  well  added  the  names  of  many  more  who 
took,  at  New  Hampton,  the  literary  course  and  their  theological 
course  elsewhere.  Among  these  are  S.  H.  Green,  D.  D.,  A.  S. 
Hobart,  D.  D.,  S.  H.  Archibald,  John  Bowker,  George  Parker, 
George  Arms,  A.  N.  Woodruff. 


Chapter  XXIV 
SUNDAY  SCHOOL  WORK 

The  Vermont  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union 
1826-1844 

As  early  as  1826  the  State  Convention  recorded  its  interest  in 
Bible  study  and  Sunday  school  work,  by  the  following  resolution: 
"Resolved,  that  the  Convention  recommend  to  the  churches  and 
ministers  of  the  State  to  take  immediate  measures  to  promote  the 
systematic  study  of  the  Sacred  Scriptures."  A  plan  presented  by 
Jona.  Merriam  was  endorsed  and  commended.  In  contrast  wath 
present  Sunday  school  methods,  this  plan  is  interesting,  and  worthy 
of  preservation  as  a  bit  of  Sunday  school  history. 

"The  following  plan  embraces  the  objects  both  of  a  Sabbath 
school  and  a  Bible  class.  If  the  school  be  large,  let  it  be  divided 
into  eight  classes,  four  of  males  and  four  of  females.  Arrange  those 
under  fourteen  years  of  age  in  the  first  classes;  from  fourteen  to 
eighteen  in  the  second  classes;  from  eighteen  to  twenty -three  in 
the  third  classes;  all  over  twenty -three  and  persons  settled  in  life, 
in  the  fourth  class.  Let  some  appropriate  question  be  given  to 
each  class,  suited  to  its  capacity;  and  to  each  of  these  younger 
classes  some  select  portions  of  the  scripture,  to  be  committed  to 
memory.     When  thus  organized  let  it  be  called  a  Bible  school. 

"Method  of  operation.  1.  Let  every  meeting  be  opened  and 
closed  with  prayer.  2.  Let  the  Superintendent  hear  the  younger 
classes  recite  their  lessons  of  scripture,  in  doing  which  let  a  whole 
class  rise  at  once,  and  each  individual  recite  a  verse  until  the  lesson 
is  gone  through.  At  the  close  of  each  lesson  the  Superintendent 
may  explain  briefly  any  expression  in  the  lesson  which  may  not  be 
understood.  3.  Let  the  Superintendent  repeat  the  questions 
already  given  out,  commencing  as  before  with  the  youngest  classes. 


560  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

and  call  for  their  answers.  The  Superintendent  should  express 
his  views  upon  the  answers,  or  upon  the  question  itself.  4.  When 
all  have  answered,  give  out  the  questions  and  lessons  for  the  next 
school. 

"Encouragements.  Let  a  society  be  constituted  for  this 
object,  each  member  of  which  shall  pay  annually  a  stipulated  sum. 
Let  the  moneys  thus  raised  be  appropriated  for  the  purchase  of  a 
library,  and  tickets  and  rewards,  if  necessary,  for  the  use  of  the 
school  under  its  patronage.  A  library  of  some  extent  will  induce 
many  young  gentlemen  and  ladies  to  attend  who  otherwise  would 
not,  and  will  render  the  school  permanent. 

"Rewards.  Let  tickets  be  given  to  the  first  and  second  classes 
for  attendance,  one  ticket,  for  lesson  one,  and  for  their  answers, 
one."  Following  this  plan  is  a  plea  for  systematic  study  of  the 
Bible. 

In  1828,  the  Convention  appointed  Revs.  A.  Sabin,  Hadley 
Proctor  and  Jona.  Merriam,  a  committee  to  consider  the  expediency 
of  forming  a  State  Baptist  Sunday  School  Union  auxiliary  to  the 
American  S.  S.  Union  and  to  report  the  next  day.  This  committee 
recommended  that  the  whole  subject  be  referred  to  the  churches, 
to  be  taken  into  consideration  and  to  be  reported  on  by  delegate 
or  letter  at  the  next  session. 

In  1829,  the  Convention  suspended  its  exercises  long  enough 
to  form  a  Sabbath  School  Union.  The  organization  was  effected 
by  choice  of  Rev.  Hadley  Proctor,  president;  Rev.  Isaiah  Matti- 
son,  1st  vice-president;  Rev.  Peter  Chase,  2nd  vice-president; 
Rev.  Richard  M.  Ely,  3rd  \ace-president;  Rev.  Mansfield  Bruce, 
4th  vice-president;  Ezekiel  Ransom,  Esq.,  5th  vice-president; 
John  Conant,  Esq.,  treasurer;  Rev.  Jonathan  Merriam,  corres- 
ponding secretary;  Rev.  Eli  B.  Smith,  recording  secretary; 
Rev.  J.  M.  Graves,  Rev.  Alvah  Sabin,  Rev.  Leland  Howard,  Rev. 
J.  Freeman,  Rev.  Cyrus,  Rev.  W.  Hodges,  Rev.  Willard  Kimball, 
trustees. 

The  object  of  the  Union,  as  defined  in  its  constitution,  was 
"To  promote  the  opening  of  new,  and  the  increase  of  old  Sabbath 
schools,  wathin  the  limits  of  the  State  of  Vermont;  to  establish  a 
regular  intercourse  among  the  schools,  by  which  improvements  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  561 

teaching,  and  all  other  communications,  may  be  transmitted;  to 
provide  a  Depository  for  supplying  schools  with  suitable  books, 
on  the  lowest  terms;  to  furnish  destitute  schools  with  books,  gratis, 
when  the  funds  of  the  Union  and  circumstances  of  the  school  will 
justify  such  a  measure;  to  stimulate  and  encourage  each  other  in 
the  instruction  of  the  ignorant;  to  establish  auxiliary  societies 
to  be  connected  with  the  Union  in  different  parts  of  the  State  and 
to  correspond  regularly  with  the  American  Sunday  School  Union. " 

At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Board,  w^hich  was  on  the  same  day 
that  the  Union  was  organized,  viz.:  October  29,  1829,  it  resolved 
to  establish  two  depositories,  one  at  Brandon,  the  other  at  Wind- 
sor. For  the  accomplishment  of  this  object,  the  Board  resolved 
to  use  their  utmost  exertions  to  raise  $500  the  ensuing  year  in 
shares  of  $5,  one-half  to  be  used  as  a  permanent  fund,  the  other 
half  to  be  drawn  by  the  subscriber  at  prime  cost.  Notw  ithstand- 
ing  considerable  effort  was  made,  and  several  appeals  were  made  to 
the  churches  upon  this  subject,  less  than  $100  were  paid  into  the 
treasury  for  this  object.  The  inconvenience  arising  from  this 
failure  was  partially  lightened  by  the  generosity  of  Brother  Ira  M. 
Allen,  who,  at  his  own  expense,  procured  a  good  supply  of  class 
and  library  books.  The  Board  appointed  one  Sabbath  school  mis- 
sionary in  each  county,  and  requested  them,  at  their  own  expense, 
to  do  all  they  could  to  forward  the  general  cause  of  Sabbath 
school  instruction  in  their  several  counties,  by  forming  new  schools, 
regulating,  encouraging  and  strengthening  these  already  estab- 
lished, but  very  little  was  done  that  year. 

In  1832,  there  W'ere  eight  auxiliary  unions  connected  with 
the  Vermont  Sabbath  School  Union.  These  were  the  Addison 
County  Union,  organized  in  1830;  the  Bennington  County  Sabbath 
School  Union,  organized  in  1832;  the  Fairfield  Sabbath  School 
Union,  organized  the  same  year;  and  Unions  connected  with  the 
Vermont,  Danville,  Barre,  Woodstock  and  Leyden  Associations. 
None  of  these  auxiliaries  made  careful  reports,  and  the  Board  com- 
plained somew^hat  bitterly  of  this  neglect.  This  Union  kept  up  its 
organization  several  years,  holding  its  annual  meetings  in  connec- 
tion with  the  Convention,  and  its  Board  presented  an  annual  re- 
port, which,  w^ith  the  minutes  of  the  annual  meeting  of  the  Union, 
was  published  with  the  Convention  minutes.     For  lack  of  funds 


562  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS   IN  VERMONT 

and  other  causes,  however,  the  organization  did  not  accompHsh 
the  object  for  which  it  was  founded. 

As  early  as  1838,  the  report  of  the  Board  was  practically  a 
confession  of  failure.  In  1841,  the  Board  reported.  "It  is  now 
eleven  years  since  the  organization  was  formed.  It  has,  doubtless, 
been  the  means  of  accomplishing  some  good,  by  diffusing  informa- 
tion, and  to  a  limited  extent  combining  the  moral  power  of  the 
denomination  in  support  of  Sabbath  schools.  Its  operations  have, 
however,  met  with  several  serious  interruptions.  It  manifestly 
has  never  enjoyed  the  sympathy  and  favor  which  its  importance 
demands.  Its  claim  to  an  equal  place  among  the  institutions  for 
the  promotion  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  seems  never  to  have 
been  practically  admitted. 

In  1844,  by  mutual  agreement  between  the  Union  and  the 
State  Convention,  the  Union  was  merged  into  the  Convention  and 
was  dissolved  as  a  separate  organization. 

Rev.  B.  Burroughs,  last  president  of  the  Sabbath  School 
Union,  was  appointed  by  the  State  Convention  as  Sunday  school 
secretary,  and  in  the  first  session,  after  the  dissolution  of  the  Union, 
he  reported  from  thirty-seven  schools,  thirty -eight  superintendents, 
three  hundred  and  ninety-seven  teachers,  and  two  thousand, 
eight  hundred  and  ninety -three  pupils.  He  made  a  strong  appeal 
for  increased  interest  in  the  work. 

In  1848,  the  Board  reported  "The  Sabbathf  school  cause,  we 
have  reason  to  think,  is  very  low  in  our  congregations. " 

In  1850,  the  need  of  more  thorough  organization  was  felt  by 
the  Sabbath  school  committee  and  a  futile  effort  made  to  secure  it. 
From  this  time  the  mention  of  this  subject  drops  from  the  published 
reports  and  discussions  until  1863,  w^hen  a  committee  was  appointed 
to  attend  a  Union  State  Sunday  School  Convention  and  to  assist 
in  the  organization,  if  such  should  be  called. 

In  1869,  the  Convention  met  in  Brattleboro.  The  interests 
of  the  Sunday  school  received  special  attention.  W.  C.  Child, 
D.  D.,  representing  the  American  Baptist  Publication  Society, 
called  attention  in  his  address  to  the  fact  that  the  Publication  So- 
ciety had  inaugurated  a  new  movement  by  calling  a  National  Bap- 
tist Sunday  School  Convention. 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT  563 

At  the  same  session,  a  resolution  was  adopted,  viz. :  that  a  com- 
mittee be  appointed,  consisting  of  S.  F.  Brown,  L.  J.  Mattison, 
E.  M.  Mills,  M.  A.  Wilcox,  L.  K.  Fuller,  to  confer  with  the  different 
Sabbath  schools  and  associational  conventions,  to  arrange  measures 
for  calling  a  State  Convention  to  settle  all  prehminaries,  and  to 
designate  the  time  and  place  for  the  first  session.  This  committee 
carried  out  their  instructions  with  great  care,  and  a  Convention  was 
called  for  Wednesday,  June  1,  1870,  at  Rutland.  Forty-seven 
schools  were  there  represented  by  twenty-nine  pastors,  forty-one 
superintendents,  and  forty -four  delegates. 

Among  the  pastors  were  M.  A.  Wilcox,  C.  A.  Thomas,  L.  J. 
Mattison,  Charles  Hibbard,  S.  F.  Brown,  A.  N.  Woodruff,  Dwight 
Spencer,  H.  L.  Grose,  Luman  Kinney,  C.  P.  Frenyear,  N.  Cud- 
worth,  J.  Goadby,  E.  Mills,  Wm.  Rugg  and  J.  Freeman.  Among 
the  superintendents,  whose  names  are  now  familiar,  were  S.  Big- 
wood,  A.  M.  Kendall,  A.  F.  Sherman,  S.  L.  Armington,  E.  S.  Hib- 
bard, Wm.  M.  Pingry  and  E.  W.  Horner.  Among  the  delegates 
were  W.  A.  Felt,  E.  A.  Fuller,  S.  H.  Archibald,  Ex-Governor  R. 
Fletcher,  Alpheus  Haynes. 

The  Convention  organized  by  choice  of  Wm.  M.  Pingry, 
president;  Deacon  E.  B.  Stuart,  secretary.  Rev.  E.  Mills,  of  Rut- 
land, gave  the  opening  address.  The  question,  "  Is  there  a  demand 
for  a  Sabbath  school  missionary  in  the  State,"  was  discussed  with 
animation.  The  question  was  finally  tabled  without  action  upon 
it.  The  committee  on  permanent  organization  reported  against 
the  proposition.  Lengthy  discussion  followed  this  report,  until, 
finally,  the  resolution  was  amended  to  read,  "Resolved,  that  in  the 
opinion  of  the  delegates  here  assembled,  the  temporary  organiza- 
tion formed  today  should  be  made  permanent."  This  resolution 
was  unanimously  adopted.  S.  F.  Brown,  L.  K.  Fuller  and  J. 
Freeman  were  appointed  to  draft  a  constitution.  The  name 
adopted  by  this  constitution  was  The  Vermont  Baptist  Sabbath 
School  Convention. 

1870-1890 

The  object  of  the  Convention,  as  defined  in  the  constitution, 
was  "to  promote  the  interests  of  the  Baptist  Sunday  schools  in  this 


564  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

State,  either  in  connection  with  the  church  or  in  destitute  places. 

The  membership  consisted  of  pastors,  superintendents,  and 
not  more  than  three  delegates  appointed  to  represent  each  Sab- 
bath school  in  the  State.  The  officers  to  consist  of  a  president, 
vice-president,  secretary,  treasurer  and  five  directors.  The  time 
fixed  upon  was  the  first  Wednesday  in  June,  annually. 

Thus  was  organized  the  Vermont  Baptist  Sabbath  School 
Convention,  which,  for  thirty  years,  vied  with  the  State  Conven- 
tion in  popular  interest.  In  some  respects  it  rivalled  in  interest 
and  popularity  the  parent  Convention.  The  time  of  its  annual 
meeting  was  the  most  inviting  of  the  year,  and  it  became  like  an 
annual  festival.  Delegations  came  in  large  numbers,  till  at  times 
more  than  two  hundred  representatives  of  the  schools  were  in  at- 
tendance. Laymen  took  a  specially  active  interest  in  the  business 
and  upon  the  programs  of  the  Convention.  L.  K.  Fuller,  J.  J. 
Estey,  Guy  Noble,  A.  F.  Sherman,  L.  W.  Hawley  and  others  were 
enthusiastic  supporters  of  the  Convention.  The  programs  were 
prepared  with  great  care.  The  most  talented  speakers  on  Sunday 
school  questions  were  engaged,  regardless  of  expense.  The  annual 
expense  of  the  Convention  for  speakers  and  incidentals  averaged 
about  $150.  Geo.  A.  Peltz,  Warren  Randolph,  W.  F.  Sherwin, 
C.  R.  Blackall,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  C.  Stebbins,  Ira  D.  Sankey  and 
Dwight  L.  Moody  were  among  the  speakers.  Singing  was  led  by 
the  most  skilled  conductors.  A  very  wide  range  of  topics  was 
treated.  Time  was  allowed  for  devotional  services,  and  for  gen- 
eral discussion. 

From  the  beginning  to  the  end,  the  Convention  was  of  the 
nature  of  an  institute.  It  w^as  not  a  Simday  school  missionary 
organization.  The  project  of  employing  a  Simday  school  mission- 
ary was  agitated  now  and  then,  but  was  not  adopted.  The  Conven- 
tion was  educative  and  inspirational. 

One  of  the  special  charms  of  the  Convention- was  its  harmony 
and  the  homogeneity  of  its  constituency.  All  were  of  one  mind. 
There  was  the  opportunity  for  the  freest  expression  of  denomina- 
tional sentiments,  narrative  of  Baptist  history,  and  instruction 
in  the  cardinal  principles  of  the  denomination. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  565 

The  tax  upon  the  entertaming  churches  was  heavy,  but  was 
cheerfully  borne.  The  traveling  expenses  of  the  delegates 
amounted  to  no  small  sum. 

The  practical  results  of  the  Convention  it  is  difficult  to  meas- 
ure. The  delegates  returned  to  their  homes  unquestionably  better 
fitted  for  work,  and  with  deepened  convictions.  The  evangelistic 
character  of  many  of  the  sessions  kindled  interest  among  the  per- 
sonal workers  and  leaders  of  the  Sunday  schools  throughout  the 
State.  A  glance  at  the  statistical  tables  appended,  shows  a  rapid 
gain  in  the  enrollment  of  the  schools  for  a  few  years  after  the  organi- 
zation of  the  Convention.  This  increase  may  be  partly  due  to 
more  complete  reports  of  the  schools, but  this  cannot  wholly  account 
for  the  increase.  In  1876,  nine  thousand,  nine  hundred  and  thirty 
pupils  were  enrolled.  During  most  of  the  life  of  the  Convention 
the  enrollment  was  upward  of  eight  thousand.  In  1900,  the  num- 
ber enrolled  was  seven  thousand,  seven  hundred  and  ninety-two, 
with  one  thousand,  twenty -seven  teachers  and  officers. 

1900-1910 

At  length,  interdenominational  organizations  and  assemblies 
were  becoming  more  and  more  popular.  The  Vermont  State  Sun- 
day School  Association,  auxiliary  to  the  International  Sunday 
School  Association,  became  more  active  in  institute  and  missionary 
work.  Its  annual  anniversaries  were  becoming,  not  a  counter 
attraction,  but  in  some  measure  a  substitute  for  the  Baptist  Sun- 
day School  Convention.  Many  of  the  most  active  Sunday  school 
workers  found  in  the  union  organization  a  wider  sphere  of  useful- 
ness. The  cost  of  maintaining  both  Conventions  had  weight  as  a 
motive  for  discontinuance  of  the  Baptist  Sunday  School  Conven- 
tion. Strong  appeals  were  made  for  the  cooperation  of  the  Bap- 
tists in  the  State  Association,  and  in  the  thirty-first  annual  meet- 
ing of  the  Vermont  Baptist  Sabbath  School  Convention,  held  in 
Ludlow,  June  5  and  6,  1900,  Gen.  J.  J.  Estey  made  a  motion, 
which  amended,  read,  "For  the  purpose  of  facilitating  a  more 
active  cooperation  in  the  State  Sunday  School  Association  work  on 


566  HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS   IN  VERMONT 

the  part  of  our  Sunday  schools,  Resolved,  that  this  Convention 
dissolve  at  the  close  of  this  annual  session. "  This  was  carried  by  a 
rising  vote  of  forty-one  to  ten. 

The  last  resolution  of  this  body  was  as  follows:  "Resolved, 
that  this  Convention,  about  to  dissolve,  recommend  that  it  do  all 
in  its  power  to  advance  the  work  of  the  union  effort  of  the  Inter- 
denominational Sunday  School  Association  of  Vermont." 

The  last  address  of  the  Convention  was  given  by  Rev.  H.  S. 
Johnson,  pastor  of  the  Warren  Avenue  Baptist  church,  Boston, 
on  "A  Child's  Soul."  After  singing,  the  benediction  was  pro- 
nounced by  Rev.  F.  J.  Franklin,  of  Mount  Holly,  and  the  Conven- 
tion was  dissolved. 

The  State  Convention  in  1900,  the  same  year  that  the  Vermont 
Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention  was  dissolved,  amended 
Article  II  of  the  Rules  of  Order,  by  adding  the  words,  "which  shall 
provide  for  a  session  in  the  interests  of  the  young  people."  Pro- 
vision was  thus  made  to  supply,  in  part,  the  loss  of  the  Sabbath 
school  convention.  Since  then  a  Sunday  school  session  has  been 
held  at  each  annual  anniversary  of  the  State  Convention,  and  live 
Sunday  school  topics  have  been  presented  by  such  able  speakers  as 
L.  W.  Hawley,  C.  H.  Spaulding,  D.  D.,  Rev.  E.  H.  McEwen,  Rev. 
E.  M.  Fuller,  Rev.  Woodman  Bradbury,  Rev.  O.  S.  C.  Wallace, 
Edwin  P.  St.  John,  Rev.  Hugh  T.  Mussleman  and  others. 

While  thus  maintaining  a  denominational  interest  in  their 
own  Sunday  schools,  the  Baptists  of  Vermont  have  not  been  in- 
different to  the  obHgations  assumed  in  connection  with  the  Inter- 
denominational State  Sunday  School  Association. 

In  April,  1869,  Dr.  O.  B.  Douglas,  then  living  in  Brattleboro, 
and  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  that  place,  went  to  the 
Fourth  National  Sunday  School  Convention  at  Newark,  N.  J. 
He  returned  thoroughly  convinced  that  some  organized  effort 
ought  to  be  made  by  the  various  denominations  in  Vermont  to  pro- 
mote the  Sunday  school  interests.  He  laid  the  matter  before  the 
State  meetings  of  the  various  denominations,  with  the  result  that 
a  convention  of  Sunday  school  workers  was  called  officially  by  the 
denominations  to  meet  in  Rutland,  in  October,  of  the  same  year. 
At  that  meeting  The  Vermont  Interdenominational  Sunday  School 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  567 

Association  was  organized.  Its  first  president  was  Deacon  E.  A. 
Fuller,  who  was  a  member  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Burling- 
ton, and  its  first  secretary  was  Capt.  Geo.  E.  Davis  of  the  same 
church. 

During  all  the  years  up  to  the  time  of  the  abandonment  of 
the  Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention  the  Baptists  of  Vermont 
were  prominently  engaged  in  the  interdenominational  work. 
The  names  of  Gen.  J.  J.  Estey,  L.  W.  Hawley,  and  others  associated 
with  them,  are  a  sufficient  indication  of  their  interest.  There  is 
no  question  but  that  the  Baptist  Sunday  schools  bore  their  pro- 
portionate share  of  the  burden  of  the  interdenominational  work, 
and  some  individual  Baptists  contributed  very  largely. 

In  1903,  Rev.E.A.  Fuller  had  resigned  the  pastorate  of  the  Bap- 
tist church  in  Barre,  and  became  State  secretary  of  the  Interdenom- 
inational State  Sunday  School  Association,  and  held  that  position 
for  about  six  years,  and,  naturally.  Baptist  schools  rallied  to  his  lead- 
ership. At  the  time  of  his  appointment,  John  A.  Greenwood,  a 
member  of  the  Baptist  church  in  Chester,  was  president  of  the 
organization.  ]Vlr.  Greenwood  and  Mr.  B.  A.  Park,  of  Chester, 
with  a  few  leaders  in  other  denominations,  became  practically 
responsible  for  the  financial  obligations  of  the  Association  for  at 
least  two  years.  Since  that  time,  such  men  as  C.  J.  Ferguson,  F.  S. 
Retan,  W.  A.  Clark,  of  Rutland;  R.  S.  Benedict,  of  Middlebury; 
C.  A.  Crampton,  of  St.  Albans;  Rev.  A.  H.  Gage,  Rev.  F.  S.  Tolman, 
Rev.  W.  F.  Meyer,  Rev.  S.  P.  Perry,  Rev.  J,  S.  Brown,  and  many 
others  who  have  held  prominent  places  in  the  State  and  County 
Associations,  are  abundant  proof  of  the  interest  of  Baptists  in  this 
work. 

F.  G.  Safford,  of  the  First  Baptist  church  in  Burlington,  has 
been  its  treasurer. 


568       history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 
Sunday  School  Statistics 


Year    Teachers    Pupils 

1868 717 7245 

1869 788 8435 

1870 711 7664 

1871 512 5383 

1872 709 6864 

1873 524 7146 

1874 860 7745 

1875 924 9916 

1876 917 9930 

1877 1020 9601 

1878 1146 9153 

Teachers  and 
Year     Officers     Pupils 

1890 1082 8528 

1891 1134 8546 

1892 1087 8285 

1893 1063 8098 

1894 1038 8249 

1895 1015 7641 

1896 1118 7998 

1897 1034 7429 

1898 1003 7410 

1899 1059 7242 

1900 1027 7792 


Year    Teachers   Pupils 

1879 1143 9416 

1880 1162 9291 

1881 1213 8440 

1882 1086 7524 

1883 1059 7622 

1884 1078 8257 

1885 1039 7673 

1886 1103 7796 

1887 1127 8245 

1888 1122 8041 

1889 1070 8370 

Teachers  and 
Year    OflBcers   Pupils 

1901 1054 7597 

1902 991 7266 

1903 936 6406 

1904 940 6765 

1905 1028 7083 

1906 1033 7007 

1907 1073 7501 

1908 1068 7115 

1909 1130 7367 

1910 1083 7602 

1911 1096 7990 

1912 1064 7630 


Arthur  G.  Crane 
Treasurer  of  Vermont  Baptist  Minister's  Conference 


Chapter  XXV 
THE  VERMONT  BAPTIST  BIBLE  SOCIETY 


The  Baptists  of  the  State  commenced  early  with  other  de- 
nominations in  the  promotion  of  the  Bible  cause,  and  continued 
their  efforts  in  that  direction  imtil  1836,  when  their  interest  re- 
ceived a  new  impetus  in  new  channels. 

In  1834,  Adoniram  Judson,  after  long,  long  years  of  toil,  com- 
pleted his  translation  of  the  Bible  into  Burmese.  In  a  letter  dated 
January  31,  1834,  he  wrote:  "Thanks  to  God,  I  can  now  say  I 
have  attained.  I  have  knelt  down  before  Him,  with  the  last  leaf 
in  my  hand,  and,  imploring  his  forgiveness  for  all  the  sins  which 
have  polluted  my  labors  in  this  department,  and  His  aid  in  remov- 
ing the  errors  and  imperfections  which  necessarily  cleave  to  the 
work,  I  have  commended  it  to  His  mercy  and  grace.  I  have  dedi- 
cated it  to  His  glory.  May  He  make  His  own  inspired  Word,  now 
complete  in  the  Burman  tongue,  the  grand  instrument  of  filling  all 
Burma  with  songs  of  praise  to  our  great  God  and  Saviour,  Jesus 
Christ.     Amen." 

Up  to  this  time  Baptists  of  this  country  had  been  cooperating 
with  other  denominations  in  the  Bible  work  of  the  American  Bible 
Society,  and  they  had  reason  to  suppose  that  this  society  would 
hail  with  delight  and  gratitude  the  accomplishment  of  Dr.  Judson, 
and  aid  in  distributing  it  among  the  people  for  whom  it  was  in- 
tended. But  after  American  Baptist  missionaries  had  translated 
the  Bible  into  half  the  languages  of  the  globe,  this  society,  in  1835, 
resolved  that  we  should  have  no  aid  from  their  treasury  in  circulat- 
ing the  versions  made  by  Baptist  missionaries.  The  reason  for 
this  resolution  was  solely  that  the  word  "baptize"  and  its  cognates, 
had  been  clearly  and  correctly  translated  immerse,  instead  of  being 
transliterated  as  in  our  authorized  English  Bibles. 


570  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Baptists,  protesting  in  vain,  were  throwTi  upon  their  own  re- 
sources, and  preliminary  steps  were  taken  to  organize  a  new 
society.  The  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention  appointed  as 
delegates  to  the  proposed  Bible  Convention,  that  was  called  to 
meet  in  Philadelphia  on  the  last  Wednesday  in  April,  1836,  D. 
Haskell,  chairman,  Daniel  Packer,  Samuel  Eastman,  E.  Hutch- 
inson, J.  D.  Farnsworth  and  Samuel  Greggs.  The  following  year, 
1837,  upon  report  of  the  Bible  committee,  the  Convention  passed 
a  resolution  approving  the  formation  of  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society,  and  recommended  the  immediate  formation  of  a 
Vermont  Bible  Society,  auxiliary  thereto;  and  that,  as  soon  as 
possible,  branch  societies  be  formed  in  each  Association;  and  that 
means  be  adopted  to  bring  all  the  churches  and  benevolent  in- 
dividuals to  aid  the  society  by  their  contributions.  They  resolved, 
further,  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  restrict  the  American  and  For- 
eign Bible  Society  to  the  circulation  of  the  scriptures  in  foreign 
languages.  Upon  the  passage  of  these  resolutions  the  Conven- 
tion suspended  its  business  long  enough  to  organize  the  Vermont 
Bible  Society. 

J.  D.  Farnsworth  was  appointed  president;  W.  Walker,  B. 
Carpenter,  J.  Ide,  A.  Sabin,  L.  P.  Parks,  L.  Fisk,  D.  Packer,  I. 
Pearsons,  M.  Bruce,  S.  C.  Dillaway,  vice-presidents;  J.  Freeman, 
secretary;  J.  P.  Skinner,  treasurer.  J.  D.  Farnsworth,  A.  Sabin, 
S.  Greggs,  D.  Packer  and  J.  P.  Skinner  were  appointed  delegates 
to  the  next  annual  meeting  of  the  parent  society. 

Meanwhile,  the  Associations  were  aroused  on  this  subject. 
The  Vermont  and  the  Woodstock  Associations  passed  resolutions 
upon  the  subject.  The  Woodstock  Association  had  a  record-mak- 
ing session  in  1836.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  second  day,  although 
upward  of  $200  had  been  previously  subscribed  for  the  Vci-mont 
Branch  of  the  Northern  Baptist  Education  Society,  Brother 
Packer,  of  Mount  Holly,  made  some  remarks  upon  giving  the 
Bible  to  the  heathen,  and  closed  by  saying  that  he  would  pay  $150 
to  constitute  Adoniram  Judson  a  life  director,  and  $30  to  con- 
stitute Nathan  Brown  a  life  member  of  the  American  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society.  A  proposition  was  made  that  the  ladies  present 
should  raise  the  sum  necessary  to  constitute  Mrs.  Bro-VNH  a  life 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  571 

member  of  the  same  society.  This  was  soon  done.  Then  the 
spirit  went  on  till  a  subscription  was  filled  to  constitute  Brother 
Has  well  and  wife  and  Mrs.  Judson  life  members  of  the  same  so- 
ciety. In  1839,  the  Vermont  branch  paid  to  the  treasurer  of  the 
parent  society,  $303.78;  in  1839,  the  receipts  were  $423.89.  In 
1841,  and  1842,  the  receipts  fell  off  considerably,  being  $106.20 
and  $102.18,  respectively.  In  1843,  owing  to  the  personal  solicita- 
tions of  Rev.  H.  Seaver,  agent  of  the  parent  society,  the  receipts 
for  Bible  work  were  much  larger,  amounting  to  $789.91.  At  the 
anniversary  in  1845,  Missionary  Kincaid,  of  Burma,  addressed 
the  society  in  support  of  the  Bible  cause.  Mr.  Seaver  had  col- 
lected $534.89,  and  upward  of  $50  had  been  received  for  books  and 
Bibles  sold.  In  1846,  $671.82  were  forwarded  to  the  parent  so- 
ciety.    Of  this  sum,  $217.57  were  from  the  Rutland  County  branch. 

The  last  meeting  of  the  society  was  held  in  Chester  in  1846. 

Upon  report  of  a  joint  committee  of  the  Bible  Society  and 
the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention,  the  society  was  dissolved, 
and  the  organization  of  associational  or  sectional  societies  recom- 
mended. 


Chapter  XXVI 
THE  VERMONT  BAPTIST  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 

The  origin  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society  is  due 
very  largely  to  the  efforts  of  the  late  lamented  Rev.  Cyprian  P. 
Frenyear.  For  several  years  previous  to  his  death,  he  spent  much 
time  in  the  collection  of  material  pertaining  to  the  history  of  Ver- 
mont Baptists.  In  the  report  of  the  committee  of  obituaries, 
presented  to  the  State  Convention  in  1876,  the  opinion  was  ex- 
pressed, that  the  time  and  labor  thus  spent  was  equal  to  a  year  of 
continuous  toil.  In  1875,  Mr.  Frenyear  prepared  a  paper  on 
"Our  denominational  history,  its  scope,  sources,  importance  and 
means  of  preservation."  In  its  closing  paragraph  he  says,  "I 
sincerely  hope  th^t  the  denomination  will  not  let  the  centennial 
year  pass  without  organizing  a  Baptist  State  Historical  Society 
upon  so  broad  and  firm  foundations  as  to  give  it  immediate  and 
perpetual  success."  This  paper  was  printed  and  circulated  in 
the  State.  At  the  semi-centennial  of  the  State  Convention  at 
St.  Albans,  in  1875,  the  matter  of  organizing  a  historical  society 
was  considered,  and  a  committee  of  three  appointed  to  report  a 
basis  of  union  at  the  next  meeting  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  Sabbath 
School  Convention.  This  committee  consisted  of  C.  P.  Frenyear, 
C.  Hibbard  and  F.  Henry.  Before  the  time  designated,  Brother 
Frenyear  died  and  W.  H.  Rugg  was  chosen  to  fill  his  place.  After 
the  close  of  the  Convention  in  Chester  in  1876,  pursuant  to  a  call 
previously  issued,  a  few  brethren  met  in  the  Baptist  church  at  six 
o'clock  p.  M.,  October  6,  and  organized  a  society  to  be  called  The 
Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Society.  A  constitution  drafted  by  the 
hand  of  Brother  Frenyear  was  adopted  with  some  amendments. 

At  the  first  meeting,  a  committee  consisting  of  W.  H.  Rugg  and 
J.  J.  Estey  was  appointed  to  confer  with  Mrs.  Frenyear  with  a 
view  of  securing  the  material  left  by  her  husband.  This  com- 
mittee, after  visiting  Mrs.  Frenyear  and  examining  the  material. 


574  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

concluded  that  $500  would  be  a  fair  offer  for  it.  This  offer  was 
confirmed  by  the  society  and  accepted  by  Mrs.  Frenyear,  and  the 
material  turned  over  to  the  society  on  condition  that  the  docu- 
ments to  be  made  over  to  the  society  should  be  placed  in  the  cus- 
tody of  a  librarian,  and,  secondly,  that  the  society  should  pay  for 
the  documents  the  sum  of  $500,  in  installments  of  $100  per  year, 
for  five  years,  payable  on  or  before  October  10  in  each  year.  The 
society  thus  began  its  life  with  lofty  incentives  and  sacred  obliga- 
tions and  a  heavy  financial  burden.  The  agreement  with  Mrs. 
Frenyear  was  carried  out.  The  most  valuable  part  of  the  material 
was  transferred  to  the  care  of  a  librarian  and  placed  in  the  fire- 
proof safe  belonging  to  Judge  Pingry  in  Perkinsville. 

In  1879,  the  Frenyear  material  was  catalogued.  Efforts 
were  made  to  increase  the  membership;  historical  papprs  were 
written  and  contributed  to  the  society.  In  1885,  substantial 
gifts  of  historical  material  were  received  from  Hon.  W.  M.  Pin- 
gry 's  heirs  and  Rev.  S.  F.  BroAMi. 

At  the  time  of  its  organization,  the  society  appointed  Rev. 
T.  H.  Archibald,  president,  which  oflSce  he  held  four  years  and 
then,  after  an  interval  of  eight  years,  he  was  reappointed  and  held 
the  position  from  that  time  till  his  death — 1888-1900.  He  was 
deeply  interested  in  the  purposes  of  the  society  and  prepared  valu- 
able papers  on  historical  subjects,  some  of  which  were  published 
in  the  minutes  of  the  State  anniversaries.  The  preparation  of  the 
History  of  Vermont  Baptists  was  committed  to  him  in  1898,  and 
he  gave  much  time  to  the  arranging  of  material  for  it,  under  the 
direction  of  the  society,  and  with  the  approval  of  the  Conven- 
tion. It  was  a  matter  of  great  regret  that  he  could  not  finish  this 
important  work  for  which  he  was  so  well  fitted.  Other  presidents 
who  have  served  short  terms  are  Foster  Henry,  R.  L.  Olds,  J.  A. 
Pierce,  W.  A.  Kinzie,  Henry  Crocker  and  George  B.  Lawson. 

The  collection  of  the  society  has  for  several  years  been  kept 
in  the  library  of  Vermont  Academy. 


Chapter  XXVIl 
VERMONT  BAPTIST  YOUNG  PEOPLE'S  UNION 

In  1891,  the  aims  and  methods  of  the  Baptist  Young  People's 
Union  of  America  had  so  commended  themselves  to  the  pastors 
and  members  of  some  of  our  churches  that,  at  the  Convention 
which  met  at  Montpelier  that  year,  Rev.  D.  D.  Owen  offered  the 
following  resolution,  which,  after  an  animated  discussion,  was 
adopted. 

Resolved,  that  since  the  interests  of  the  young  people  of  our 
Baptist  churches  \\nll  best  be  secured  by  alliance  wath  our  denomi- 
national organization,  we  therefore  recommend  the  young  people 
of  our  Baptist  churches  to  organize  with  the  constitution  recom- 
mended by  the  National  Union,  and  that  all  young  people's  so- 
cieties already  existing  affiliate  with  these  in  associational  and 
State  organizations. 

The  follo'u'ing  summer,  a  Convention  was  called  at  Burlington, 
consisting  of  delegates  from  all  the  young  people's  organizations 
connected  with  our  Baptist  churches  in  the  State,  to  consider  the 
expediency  of  organizing  a  State  Baptist  Young  People's  Union. 
The  call  was  responded  to  by  a  large  number  of  delegates.  A  con- 
siderable number  were  strongly  opposed  to  the  movement.  The 
principal  cause  of  the  opposition  was  the  misapprehension  that  the 
movement  was  antagonistic  to  the  Christian  Endeavor  Societies. 
After  full  and  free  discussion  and  explanation  of  the  educational 
purpose  of  the  union,  the  vote  was  taken  and  a  decided  majority 
was  in  favor  of  the  union. 

Rev.  W.  S.  Roberts,  of  Burlington,  was  one  of  the  most 
earnest  advocates  of  the  union,  and  was  elected  its  first  president, 
a  position  which  he  held  till  1894,  and  to  which  he  gave  much 
thought  and  personal  effort. 

The  State  Convention,  in  1892,  passed  a  resolution  endorsing 
the  action  taken  in  furtherance  of  the  young  people's  movement,, 
and  approving  the  organization  of  a  State  Baptist  Young  People 's 
Union,  sincerely  believing  that  it  would  result  in  the  unification 


576  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

of  the  constituency  of  our  churches.     Associational  unions  were 
formed  in  Lamoille  and  Woodstock  Associations. 

For  a  few  years  the  Union  did  comparatively  little  beside 
act  as  distributing  agent  for  the  literature  and  circulars  of  the  Bap- 
tist Young  People 's  Union  of  America,  and,  by  its  officers  and  mem- 
bers, advocate  the  study  of  the  christian  culture  courses. 

Annual  meetings  were  held  in  connection  with  the  State  Con- 
vention, and  excellent  speakers  were  secured,  who  kept  the  educa- 
tional features  of  the  Union  before  the  people. 

Later,  the  educational  leaders  made  more  systematic  effort 
to  organize  classes  among  the  young  people  of  the  churches  and 
were  successful  to  some  degree.  In  this  work  Rev.  H.  E.  Thayer, 
Rev.  F.  R.  Morris,  Rev.  C.  W.  Jackson  and  Rev.  Silas  Perry,  were 
specially  active,  and  Miss  Grace  Young,  Junior  leader,  among  the 
younger  members. 

The  difficulty  of  obtaining  full  and  accurate  reports  from  all 
the  societies  makes  it  impossible  to  record  the  extent  of  the  young 
people's  movement  in  the  State.  In  1896,  fifty -four  societies  re- 
ported one  thousand,  seven  hundi-ed  and  thirty-nine  members. 
In  1900,  forty -two  societies  reported  a  total  membership  of  one 
thousand,  five  hundred  and  eighty -five,  of  which  one  thousand, 
three  hundred  and  twenty -two  were  active  and  two  hundred  and 
forty-seven  associate  members.  In  1910,  in  response  to  fifty-six 
communications,  the  secretary  received  reports  from  twenty-two 
societies  (twelve  Christian  Endeavor  and  nine  Baptist  Young 
People's  Union  and  one  Junior),  sho^^'ing  active  membership,  seven 
hundred  and  forty -four;  associate  members,  one  hundred  and  sixty- 
four.  Nineteen  societies  failed  to  report — eleven  Christian  En- 
deaA'ors  and  eight  Baptist  Young  People's  Union.  These,  the 
previous  year,  reported  eight  hundred  and  six  members.  This 
would  give  the  probable  total  membership  hi  the  State  over  one 
thousand,  seven  hundred. 

In  1904,  about  two  hundred  and  sixty  had  been  enrolled  in 
some  kinds  of  classes. 

At  a  business  meeting  held  in  INIiddlebury,  September  27,  1910, 
the  following  resolutions,  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Ver- 
mont Christian  Endeavor  Union  in  annual  Convention,  assembled 
at  Barton,  Vt.,  Octobers,  1910,  were  endorsed. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  577 

CHRISTIAN     ENDEAVOR     RESOLUTIONS     ON     INTERDENOMINATIONAL 
STATUS  AND  SERVICE 

Whereas,  we,  the  Young  People's  Societies  of  the  Vermont 
Christian  Endeavor,  and  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Convention, 
being  of  common  interest  and  service  in  the  Kingdom  of  God,  real- 
izing a  deep  need  of  unity  of  purpose,  do  hereby  state  our  mutual 
plan  for  the  successful  carrying  out  of  a  uniform  policy  of  support 
for  our  general  State  work. 

Whereas,  the  Vermont  Christian  Endeavor  Union  in  the  mem- 
bership clause  of  its  constitution  places  all  societies  of  identical 
purpose  and  methods,  of  whatsoever  name,  on  the  same  plane  as 
those  bearing  the  name  of  Christian  Endeavor. 

Whereas,  the  Young  People 's  Societies  of  the  Vermont  Baptist 
State  Convention  recognize  the  value  to  them  of  fellowship  with 
Christian  Endeavor,  and  in  order  to  promote  such  fellowship  have 
disbanded  the  State  Baptist  Young  People's  Union  and  the  local 
Baptist  Young  People's  Unions,  and  have  united  in  one  organiza- 
tion all  Baptist  Young  People's  Societies  of  every  name  for  the 
single  purpose  of  denominational  unity;  have  adopted  the  policy  of 
organizing  all  new  societies  with  the  Christian  Endeavor  name  and 
urging  all  existing  societies  of  other  names  to  join  the  Vermont 
Christian  Endeavor  Union  and  expect  all  their  societies  to  be  mem- 
bers of  local  and  county  Christian  Endeavor  Unions;  and 

Whereas,  the  method  of  raising  funds  for  the  Vermont  Christian 
Endeavor  Union  of  the  Young  People's  Societies  of  the  Vermont 
Baptist  State  Convention  has  been  burdensome  to  the  Baptist 
societies,  be  it 

Resolved,  that  hereafter  the  treasurer  of  the  Vermont  Christian 
Endeavor  Union  shall  send  no  appeals  for  funds  to  any  Baptist 
Young  People's  Society,  but  shall  receive  their  contribution  from 
the  treasurer  of  the  Young  People's  Societies  of  the  Vermont  Bap- 
tist State  Convention  and  such  contribution  shall  consist  of  one- 
half  the  amount  given  by  all  the  Vermont  Young  People 's  Societies 
to  their  treasurer. 


578  history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont 

The  Green  Mountain  Bible  and  Missionary  Institutes 

An  interdenominational  enterprise,  especially  in  the  interests 
of  young  people,  in  which  Baptists  of  Vermont  have  taken  an 
active  part,  is  the  Green  Momitain  Bible  and  Missionary  Institute, 
held  as  a  summer  conference  for  several  years  at  Fairfax.  In  1907, 
the  Young  People's  Missionary  Movement  encouraged  the  exten- 
sion of  the  Silver  Bay  Conference  spirit  and  work  in  other 
places.  Dr.  W.  E.  Witter  urged  the  founding  of  a  permanent 
institute  for  young  people  in  Vermont  upon  the  Silver  Bay  plan. 
In  the  spring  of  1907,  a  meeting  of  those  interested  was  held  in 
the  vestry  of  the  Baptist  church  in  St.  Albans.  There  were  in 
attendance.  Rev.  J.  S.  Brown,  pastor  of  the  Baptist  church,  St. 
Albans;  Rev.  Mr.  Lowe  of  the  Methodist  church,  St.  Albans; 
Rev.  A.  Frank  Ufford  of  Fairfax,  Rev.  Silas  Perry  of  Richford, 
Dr.  Frank  W.  Norris  of  Swanton,  and  others.  An  organization 
was  formed,  and  Rev.  A.  Frank  Ufford  was  chosen  president. 
Plans  were  laid  for  an  annual  summer  conference.  Fairfax  was 
chosen  as  the  place,  the  free  use  of  the  commodious  school  building 
on  the  site  of  the  old  New  Hampton  Institution,  having  been 
offered  for  the  purpose.  Conferences  were  held  annually,  1907- 
1912,  led  by  Rev.  J.  S.  Brown,  as  president,  1908-1909,  and  by 
Rev.  Silas  P.  Perr^^  1910-1912.  Courses  in  Bible  study,  missions, 
teachers'  training  and  general  christian  culture,  were  conducted  by 
Rev.  Jesse  Smith  of  Rangoon  College,  Burma,  Mr.  George  Hunting- 
ton, Miss  Ada  A.  Brigham  and  others,  and  the  foundations  laid 
for  a  summer  conference  of  great  value. 


Chapter  XXVIII 
GIFTS  OF  VERMONT  BAPTISTS 

TO 

FOREIGN  MISSIONS  AND  HOME  MISSIONS 

The  following  account  of  the  gifts  of  Vermont  Baptists  to  the 
work  of  both  foreign  missions  and  home  missions,  is  from  the 
paper  prepared  by  Rev.  S.  H.  Archibald  and  pubhshed  in  the 
minutes  of  1903. 

Vermont  and  Missions 

The  part  taken  by  Vermont  Baptists  in  the  various  missionarj' 
enterprises  has  been  so  fully  shown  in  the  histories  of  the  several 
Associations  and  of  the  State  Convention,  that  a  full  resurvey  of 
this  work  is  unnecessary.  We  have  seen  that  the  Woodstock  As- 
sociation appears  to  have  the  honor  of  making  the  earliest  record  of 
missionary  effort  beyond  their  owii  bounds,  by  any  body  of  Baptists 
in  this  country,  although  there  was  no  special  organization  separate 
from  the  Association  itself  for  the  promotion  of  this  object.  This 
was  at  its  regular  session  in  1791,  a  year  before  Carey  preached  his 
great  sermon,  "  Expect  great  things  from  God;  attempt  great  things 
for  God,"  when  Jedediah  Hibbard,  Joseph  Call,  Nehemiah  Wood- 
ward and  John  Hebbard  were  encouraged  and  assisted  to  make 
their  proposed  journey  through  the  northern  part  of  Vermont,  and 
as  far  as  Caldwell's  Manor  within  the  Canada  line.  The  other 
associations  sent  their  itinerant  ministers  and  missionaries  far 
abroad  throughout  the  infant  settlements  and  to  the  frontiers, 
winning  converts,  planting  and  encouraging  churches  and  spread- 
ing the  Gospel  message.  The  State  Convention,  from  the  begin- 
ning, has  been  inspired  ^^'ith  the  spirit  of  world-^\^de  missions.  In 
the  report  of  the  Board  of  the  Convention  for  ISS^,  mention  is  made 


580  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

of  the  special  contributions  of  Vermont  to  the  Burman  mission, 
and  it  is  there  said  that,  "in  the  past  six  years  more  than  $1,000 
has  been  paid  out  of  the  treasury  to  the  Burman  mission,  which, 
added  to  the  about  $1,800  that  has  passed  through  the  treasury 
the  present  year,  raised  for  the  special  purpose  of  furnishing  the 
outfit,  passage  money  and  support,  for  a  season,  to  Rev.  Nathan 
BrowTi  and  vdfe,  makes  nearly  $3,000  from  the  State  of  Vermont  for 
the  Burman  mission  alone."  Subsequent  reports  of  the  Board 
and  committees  make  reference  to  this  matter  and  show  the  con- 
tinued interest  in  the  subject  of  wo^ld-^\^de  missions,  which  it 
would  be  interesting  to  quote.  Summarizing  as  best  we  can,  it 
appears  that  down  to  March  31,  1839,  the  total  contributions  going 
through  foreign  missionary  channels  was  $7,290;  several  hundred 
dollars  being  in  goods,  and,  as  far  as  observed,  the  largest  single 
contributor  giving,  during  his  life,  was  a  pastor.  Once  it  is  noted 
that  a  Revolutionary  soldier,  a  pensioner,  gave  a  tenth  of  his  pen- 
sion to  foreign  missions.  From  this  time  the  money  contributions 
can  be  stated  with  only  such  errors  as  may  be  incident  to  computa- 
tion, and  there  is  a  total  to  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  and  its  predecessors  in  name,  the  sum  of  $251,020. 
This  includes  the  contributions  of  the  churches,  to  1912,  inclusive, 
the  collections  of  the  Woman 's  Foreign  Mission  Societies  for  forty 
years,  the  offerings  to  the  work  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society,  and  $305.33  contributed  to  the  American  Baptist  Free 
IVIission  Society. 

But  other  contributions  to  foreign  missions  made  by  the  Bap- 
tist churches  of  Vermont  must  not  be  forgotten.  Men  and  women, 
consecrated  to  God,  have  gone  from  these  hills  and  valleys  giving 
service  to  the  cause  of  christian  missions.  Only  brief  mention 
of  these  will  be  attempted,  with  hasty  sketch  of  work  performed. 
There  are  some  names  to  be  found  on  this  roll  which,  in  our  present 
day  division,  would  be  considered  as  home  missionaries.  In  this 
class  would  be  found : 

Rev.  Lemuel  Sfannard,  born  in  Dorset ;  appointed  a  missionary 
to  the  Oneida  Indians;  died  in  1828. 

Amanda  W.  Siannard,  of  Dorset,  Vt.,  appointed  to  the  Puta- 
watomies,  in  1830.     She  resigned  in  1831. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  581 

Rev.  Ambler  Edson,  born  at  Brandon,  in  1811,  and,  in  1833, 
licensed  to  preach  by  the  Chester  church;  ordained  at  Plymouth, 
1839;  health  prevented  going  to  the  East;  missionary  for  two  years 
to  the  Ottoe  Indians,  when  ill  health  compelled  his  return;  died  at 
North  Fairfax,  1873. 

Charles  R.  Kellam,  born  at  Irasburg,  1809,  and  there  ordained 
in  1836,  and  appointed  the  same  year  a  missionary  to  the  Choc- 
taws  and  Creeks,  dying  in  1838. 

Elizabeth  S.  Morse,  born  in  Concord,  Vt.,  1816,  appointed  a 
missionary  to  the  Indians,  1842. 

There  are  at  least  three  who  did  missionary  work  in  France: 
Rev.  Erastus  Willard,  bom  at  Lancaster,  Mass.,  1800,  baptized  at 
Saxtons  River,  in  1820,  by  Rev.  Joseph  Elliott,  with  whom  he 
fitted  for  college;  graduated  at  Colby,  1829;  studied  at  Ne'W'ton; 
ordained  at  Grafton,  in  1833;  appointed  to  France,  in  1835,  where 
he  remained  until  1856;  from  1857  to  1859,  when  he  resigned,  mis- 
sionary of  the  American  Baptist  Missionary  Union  to  the  Ottawas 
in  Kansas;  afterwards  a  pastor  and  died  at  Newport,  R.  I.,. 
December  29,  1871.  Mr.  Willard  married  Sarah  Clarke,  who  was, 
born  in  Rockingham,  in  1800;  went  with  her  husband,  in  1835,  to 
France,  and  died  in  1844,  after  nine  years  of  service. 

Mrs.  Harriet  Willard,  who  married  Rev.  Isaac  Wilmarth,  was 
born  in  Rockingham,  in  1807,  appointed,  in  1833,  to  France,  and  by 
reason  of  ill  health,  returned  to  this  country  after  three  years  of 
service.  This  Isaac  Wilmarth,  a  native  of  New  York,  after  his  re- 
turn from  France,  was  a  pastor  at  Grafton  and  Pondville. 

Alfred  A.  Constantine  and  wife  appear  to  have  been  the  con- 
tribution of  Vermont  to  the  work  in  Africa.  He  was  born  in 
Massachusetts,  in  1812,  but  early  was  brought  to  Vermont,  where 
he  was  converted  at  sixteen  years  of  age.  July  2,  1840,  he 
was  ordained  at  Mount  Holly,  where  a  large  concourse  of  people 
were  gathered.  The  same  day  he  was  married  to  Mary  Fales,  a 
missionary  to  the  Marshpee  Indians.  Ill  health  made  his  stay  in 
Liberia  a  short  one  of  only  some  two  years.  He  returned  to  this 
country  and  did  some  pastoral  work  in  Vermont.  He  died  at 
Summit,  New  Jersey,  July  9,  1902. 

The  others  have  all  been  missionaries  to  some  parts  of  Asia, 
if  no  mistake  has  been  made.     First  in  point  of  time,  if  not  as  well 


582  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

in  dignity  of  service,  is  the  name  of  the  man  who  gave  the  Bible  to 
two  distinct  nations  in  their  own  language,  Nathan  Brown,  D.  D., 
who  was  born  in  1807,  in  New  Ipswich,  N.  H.,  removed  when  a  few 
months  old  to  Whitingham,  Vt.,  where  he  was  born  again  and  re- 
ceived into  the  church,  August  5,  1816;  graduated  at  Williams 
College,  in  1827;  having  been  in  the  meantime  member  at  Benning- 
ton and  Brandon  and  then,  for  a  short  time,  at  Rutland,  where  he 
was  ordained  a  missionary  to  Burma,  August  15,  1832.  He  had 
married  in  May,  1830,  Eliza  Bullard,  who  was  bom  in  Charlemont, 
Mass.,  1807,  and  while  residing  at  Brandon,  he  had,  for  a  time, 
edited  the  Vermont  Telegraph,  the  Vermont  Baptist  paper;  while 
at  Bennington,  he  had  made  the  acquaintance  of  William  Lloyd 
Garrison,  and  so,  perhaps,  originated  or  at  least  strengthened  the 
convictions  which  led  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Bro\Mi  to  object  to  receiving 
money  from  slave-holders  in  support  of  missions;  and,  in  1855, 
they  returned  to  this  country,  where  Dr.  Brown  edited  the  Ameri- 
can Baptist  for  a  series  of  years;  and  after  the  Civil  war,  in  1873, 
he  went  to  Japan  under  appointment  of  the  Missionary  Union. 
Mrs.  Brown  died  in  1871,  having  been  a  foreign  missionary  twenty- 
three  years;  and  Dr.  Brown  died  in  1886,  having  performed  thirty- 
seven  years  of  service  on  the  foreign  field. 

Next  in  order  of  time  is  Rev.  James  M.  Haswell,  born  in  Ben- 
nington, in  1810,  appointed  in  1835,  and  reached  Burma  the  next 
year,  where  he  died  after  forty  years  of  service,  in  1876.  He 
married  Jane  Mason  of  Massachusetts,  who  died  in  1884;  they  left 
three  children  to  continue  their  work  on  the  foreign  field,  and,  on 
one  side,  are  the  progenitors  of  a  distinguished  missionary  family. 

Durlin  L.  Brayton,  bom  in  Hubbardton,  in  1808,  early  removed 
to  New  York  state,  whence  he  was  appointed  as  a  missionarj^-  to 
Burma,  in  1837.  He  married  the  daughter  of  a  Vermont  Baptist 
minister,  Mary  H.  Fuller,  who  died  in  1890.  Mr.  Brayton  died 
in  1900,  after  sixty -three  years  of  service,  having  re\asited  his 
native  country  but  twice. 

John  Sidney  Beecher,  born  in  Hinesburg,  1820;  ordained  at 
the  same  place,  1846;  sailed  for  Burma  in  company  with  Dr.  Judson 
in  that  year;  returned  to  this  country,  in  1854,  and  sailed  again  in 
1857,  and  on  the  way  home  he  died  in  England,  in  1866,  after 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  583 

twenty  years  of  service  as  a  missionary.  The  closing  inscription  on 
the  tablet  to  his  memory  in  Memorial  Hall,  in  Burma,  is,  "His  is 
the  distinguished  honor  of  establishing  the  first  christian  school  in 
Burma,  on  the  basis  of  indigenous  support.  The  Karen  christians 
of  Bassein  will  not  suffer  his  memory  or  the  Institution  he  founded 
to  perish." 

Mrs.  Juliette  Patterson,  the  daughter  of  a  Baptist  minister, 
was  born  in  West  Haven,  1808,  and  became  the  wife  of  the  Rev. 
J.  G.  Binney;  was  appointed  a  missionary  to  Burma,  in  1843,  died 
in  1884,  after  forty  years  of  service. 

Edivin  B.  Billiard,  born  at  Shrewsbury,  in  1813,  ordained  at 
Middletown,  in  1840;  one  fruitful  year  as  a  pastor  in  Massachusetts, 
and,  in  1843,  appointed  a  missionary  to  Burma,  where  he  died  in 
Maulmain,  in  1847,  after  only  four  years  of  service.  He  married 
Ellen  Huntley,  of  Brattleboro,  in  1839,  who  became  the  third  wife  of 
Francis  Mason;  she  was  instrumental  in  founding  the  first  woman 's 
mission  society  in  1861,  ten  years  before  the  founding  of  the  present 
organization.  Her  later  years  were  clouded  by  certain  hallucina- 
tions, which  led  her  to  work  much  injury  among  the  couAcrts  of 
Christ. 

M.  H.  Bixhy,  D.  D.,  a  most  successful  missionary  on  the  foreign 
field,  and  equally  successful  as  a  pastor  on  the  home  field,  was  bom 
at  Warren,  N.  H.,  in  18'-27,  converted  and  baptized  at  East  Hard- 
wick,  Vt.  ;  ordained  at  Williston,  in  1849;  was  also  pastor  at  Johnson; 
sailed  as  a  missionary  to  Burma,  in  1851;  returned  after  three 
years '  service,  hoping  to  save  the  life  of  his  \\'ife,  who  died  shortly 
after  arriving  in  this  country;  was  a  pastor  in  Providence,  R.  I., 
and,  in  1860,  was  reappointed  a  missionary,  where  he  labored  until 
1868,  when  failing  health  again  compelled  his  return, and  he  founded 
the  Cranston  Street  church  in  Providence,  where  he  was  a  pastor  for 
upward  of  thirty  years,  and  died  in  1901. 

Susan  C.  Dow,  who  was  the  first  wife  of  Dr.  H.  M.  Bixby,  was 
born  in  Walden,  Vt.,  1829;  converted  in  1847;  baptized  into  the 
church  at  East  Hard\\'ick;  sailed  as  a  missionary  in  1853,  and  died 
in  August,  1856,  leaving  a  nine-months  old  daughter,  who  became 
the  wife  of  Truman  Johnson,  M.  /).,  in  Toungoo,  Burma. 

Miles  J.  Knoiolton,  D.  D.,  was  born  at  West  Wardsboro,  in 
1825,  in  which  place  he  was  also  ordained,  September  8,  1853, 


584  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

after  graduating  at  Hamilton,  sailed,  December  of  the  same  year, 
for  China,  where  he  died  after  twenty  years  of  service,  in  1874. 
He  married,  in  1853,  Lucy  Ann  St.  John.  At  the  Convention  service 
held  in  Brandon,  by  special  vote,  two  days  before  his  ordination, 
an  evening  was  given  to  "  arranged  with  reference  to  the  departure 
of  Miles  J.  Knowlton  as  a  missionary."  A  sympathetic  and  keen 
survey  of  mission  work  by  John  A.  Goadby,  D.  D.,  was  given  and 
remarks  were  made  by  the  missionary  appointee.  Rev.  J.  D.  E. 
Jones,  Rev.  E.  A.  Cummings  and  Rev.  J.  W.  Eaton.  Prayer  was 
offered  by  Rev.  Ira  Pearsons,  "with  special  reference  to  the  de- 
parture of  Rev.  M.  J.  Knowlton  and  wife,"  after  which  they  were 
addressed  in  behalf  of  the  Convention  by  Rev.  A.  Sabin  (mod- 
erator), who  gave  them  the  parting  hand.  The  fine  monument 
erected  to  the  memory  of  Mr.  Knowlton,  at  Ningpo,  China,  by 
loving  friends,  many  of  whom  were  native  christians,  tells  of  his 
long  journeys  and  untiring  preaching  in  summer's  heat  and 
winter's  cold;  of  his  gentleness,  patience  and  wisdom,  so  that  he 
was  often  called  the  Confucius  of  the  West. 

Mary  E.  Blandin  was  born  in  Brandon;  reared  and  educated 
at  Townshend;  married  Rev.  Isaac  D.  Colburn  and  appointed  to 
Tavoy,  in  1863.     For  several  years  has  been  in  this  country. 

Mrs.  Julia  (Putnam)  Cross,  the  daughter  of  Rev.  Benjamin 
Putnam,  was  bom  at  Bethel,  in  1819;  married  E.  B.  Cross,  and 
was  appointed,  in  1843,  and,  after  more  than  thirty  years  of  service, 
died  in  1875. 

Edward  Payson  Scott  was  born  in  Greensboro,  Vt.,  in  1832; 
in  early  life  went  West;  educated  at  Knox  College  and  Hamilton; 
appointed  a  missionary  in  1860,  and  died  in  1869. 

Corodon  H.  Slafter  was  bom  at  Norwich,  Vt.,  1811;  educated 
at  Hamilton;  sailed  for  the  foreign  field  in  December,  1838;  de- 
signated to  Siam.  A  brief  but  active  missionary  life  was  terminated 
in  1841 ;  he  and  his  wife  had  a  family  boat  in  which  they  sought  to 
penetrate  to  every  part  of  the  country.  "When  informed  that  he 
must  die,  he  at  first  evinced  disappointment  at  so  early  an  end 
of  his  work;  but  soon  remarked,  "God  is  able  to  carry  on  his  work 
without  me." 

Edunn  D.  Kelley  was  born  at  Clarendon,  in  1846;  sailed  to  the 
foreign  field  in  1871,  where  he  was  drowned  in  1873.     His  wife  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  585 

Jennie  W.  Blackador,  who  took  a  four  years'  course  in  medicine 
and  a  term  of  study  at  Newton;  returned  to  the  foreign  field  in 
1880,  and  died  in  1889. 

Edwin  Bullard,  son  of  missionaries  above  named,  was  born  in 
Burma,  in  1847;  appointed  in  1870,  and  served  until  1878,  when 
he  returned  to  this  country  and  immediately  became  pastor  at 
Addison,  whence  he  departed,  in  1882,  for  a  second  term.  He  is 
still  on  the  field. 

W.  H.  S.  Haskall,  bom  at  Pittsford,  in  1850;  appointed  a 
missionary,  in  1872;  returned  in  1879,  reappointed,  1883;  returned 
the  second  term  in  1889;  resigned  in  1890;  was  reappointed  in  1903; 
returned  to  the  United  States  in  1906;  sailed  again  for  Burma,  in 
1912.     When  in  this  country  he  served  different  churches  as  pastor. 

Samuel  W.  Nichols,  was  born  in  Burlington,  in  1846;  educated 
at  Hamilton;  ordained  and  pastor  in  New  York  for  a  brief  term, 
when,  in  1878,  he  sailed  for  the  foreign  work,  dying  in  1880. 

Rev.  George  A.  Hnntley,  M.  D.,  was  born  in  1865;  converted 
and  baptized  in  England  and  saw  service  as  a  missionary  of  the 
China  Inland  Mission;  came  to  this  country  with  his  wife;  went 
to  Burlington  for  the  purpose  of  completing  his  medical  education, 
uniting  with  the  Baptist  church  there.  He  was  appointed  to  the 
mission  field  by  the  American  Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society, 
in  1897,  and  is  still  in  the  service  of  the  society. 

Sumner  R.  Vinton,  born  in  Burma,  in  1874;  baptized  at  Brat- 
tleboro,  1888;  sailed  with  his  wife,  daughter  of  missionary  Bunker, 
in  1900.     Their  last  return  to  this  country  was  in  1908. 

Mrs.  H.  Morrow  was  born  at  Rochester,  Vt.,  baptized  at 
Wolfville,  N.  S.;  married  Rev.  H.  Morrow,  and  sailed,  in  1876, 
for  Tavoy.  She  was  a  medical  missionary,  having  pursued  full 
studies  and  practiced  one  year  before  her  marriage.  A  few  months 
after  the  death  of  Mr.  Morrow,  in  1905,  she  returned  to  this  coun- 
try where,  in  1912,  she  is  still  living. 

Mrs.  J.  E.  Cummings  is  a  native  of  this  State;  was  married  at 
Bakersfield,  in  1887,  and  went  with  her  husband  to  Henzada, 
Burma,  in  1887.     She  died  there  in  1892. 

Miss  Anna  S.  Young,  was  bom  at  Hartland;  baptized  at  Wind- 
sor, 1883;  a  member  of  the  Montpelier  church  for  a  time;  studied  at 


586  HISTORY   OF   THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

Montpelier  Seminary;  appointed,  in  1888,  to  Kinhwa,  China; 
severed  connection  with  our  missionary  work  after  marriage.  She 
died  in  1907. 

Miss  Ella  J.  Taylor  was  bom  at  Perkinsville,  Vt.,  where  also 
she  was  converted  and  baptized  in  1869;  educated  at  Randolph 
Normal  School,  and  at  Winona,  Minn.;  taught  in  Vermont,  Iowa 
and  Minnesota;  was  appointed  by  The  Woman's  Society  of  the 
West,  and  sailed  for  Moulmain,  in  1888.  Her  last  return  to  this 
country  was  in  1909. 

Miss  Clara  A.  Convers  was  born  in  Grafton,  in  1857,  where 
also  she  was  baptized  in  1876;  educated  at  Vermont  Academy  and 
Smith  College;  taught  at  Vermont  Academy  five  years;  appointed 
a  missionary  to  Japan,  in  1889,  and  is  in  charge  of  the  Mary  L. 
Colby  Home,  Yokohama.  She  is  supported  by  the  churches  of  the 
Shaftsbury  Association,  who  voluntarily  assumed  her  support  in 
1889;  yearly  she  sends  them  a  letter,  which  is  read  at  the  annual 
session  of  the  Association. 

There  are  others  in  whom  ^'ermonters  claim  an  interest,  but 
their  direct  connection  with  Vermont  Baptist  interest  came  after 
their  return  from  mission  fields. 

Rev.  and  Mrs.  Charles  Hibbard,  for  many  years  prominent  in 
our  work;  he  was  pastor  at  Chester,  Vergennes  and  Middlebury; 
bom  at  St.  Armand,  P.  Q.,  in  1823,  educated  at  Brown  University 
and  Rochester  Seminarj-;  ordained  at  Providence,  R.  I.,  in  1852, 
where  he  was  also  married,  saihng  the  same  year  for  the  foreign 
shore,  and  returning  in  1866.  He  visited,  in  the  interest  of  foreign 
missions,  many  of  our  Vermont  churches,  and  performed  valuable 
service  in  so  doing.  He  died  at  Providence  in  1887.  Mrs.  Hib- 
bard is  still  living  (1912). 

Rev.  S.  M.  Whiting  was  born  in  Sutton,  Mass.,  in  1825,  con- 
verted in  1841;  sailed  in  July,  1850,  for  Assam,  where  he  did  faith- 
ful work  for  ten  years;  returning,  by  reason  of  his  wife's  health, 
they  settled  at  Colchester  for  seven  years,  at  Windsor  for  four 
years,  and  at  Fair  Haven,  Conn.,  where  he  died  in  1878. 

Rev.  and  Mrs.  H.  M.  Hopkinson.  He  was  born  in  Maine,  in 
1840;  converted  in  1856;  ordained  at  Bangor,  Maine,  1871;  and 
missionary   at   Bassein,    Burma,    1871-1876.     On   his  return   he 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  587 

served  the  churches  as  pastor  at  West  Wardsboro,  Perkinsville, 
West  HaHfax  and  Westford. 

John  Goadby,  D.  D.,  bom  in  England,  in  1808,  ordained  in 
1833;  four  years  a  missionary  in  India;  returning  by  reason  of  ill 
health,  and  was  pastor  twice  at  Poultney,  and  also  at  Vergennes. 

R.  M.  Luther,  D.  D.,  and  his  wife,  were  for  several  years  mis- 
sionaries in  India,  and,  upon  returning  to  this  country,  he  became 
pastor  at  Bennington,  where  he  remained  nearly  nine  years. 
More  than  ten  years,  he  was  district  secretars^  for  the  American 
Baptist  Foreign  Mission  Society;  pastor  in  New  Jersey,  and  in- 
structor in  a  missionarj^  training  school  connected  with  Amity 
Church,  New  York.     Dr.  Luther  died  September  28,  1903. 

Miss  Julia  C.  Bromley,  born  in  Michigan,  but  resided  for 
a  time  in  Vermont,  and  was  baptized  at  East  Bethel. 

Miss  Emma  J.  Cummings,  M.  D.,  was  bom  in  Fairfax,  Ver- 
mont, afterwards  resided  in  Massachusetts  and  Connecticut.  She 
was  appointed  a  missionary  of  the  Woman 's  Baptist  Foreign  Mis- 
sionary Society  in  1886,  and  sailed  the  same  year  for  South  India. 
She  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1892,  and  afterwards  was 
married  to  William  P.  Park.  For  several  years  after  her  return, 
Mrs.  Park  was  a  field  worker  in  coimection  with  the  Woman's 
Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Societies  (East  and  West). 

Rev.  A.  H.  Danforih  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  but  re- 
sided in  Vermont,  and  was  baptized  in  Halifax,  in  February,  1835. 
He  sailed  for  Gauhati,  Assam,  -^-ith  his  wife,  in  1847.  He  died  in 
1865,  in  this  country. 

Miss  Linnie  M.  Holbrook  was  born  in  Wolcott,  Vermont, 
in  1876;  attended  People's  Academy,  in  Morrisville.  She  went  to 
Tura,  Assam,  in  1906,  under  the  auspices  of  the  Woman's  Baptist 
Foreign  Missionary  Society.     At  the  present  time  she  is  in  Assam. 

Miss  Charlotte  M.  Huntoon  was  born  in  Castleton,  Vt., 
in  1877;  went  to  Shaohsing,  China,  in  1903,  under  the  auspices 
of  the  Woman's  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Society.  She  re- 
turned to  the  United  States  in  1907. 

Mr.  J.  M.  Lewis,  of  Vermont,  went  as  a  lay  evangelist,  in 
1887,  to  the  Congo  Mission  in  Africa.  He  returned  to  this  country 
in  1892,  and  did  not  retum  to  the  field. 


588  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Rev.  A.  F.  Ufford,  born  in  Fairfax,  Vt.,  in  1887;  united  with 
the  church  there  in  1895,  and  was  pastor  of  the  church  at  the  time; 
he  went  to  East  China,  in  1908.     He  is  still  on  the  field. 

Home  Missions 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  no  satisfying  statement  can  be  made 
in  reference  to  what  Vermont  Baptists  may  have  done  for  the 
American  Baptist  Publication  Society.  This  is  due,  in  part,  to  the 
destructive  fire  that  consumed  records. 

When  steps  were  taken  looking  to  the  formation  of  an  organiza- 
tion, whose  special  field  should  be  America,  our  fathers  were  not 
backward  in  supporting  and  forwarding  the  same.  The  American 
Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  was  organized  in  New  York,  April 
27,  183!2,  and  at  the  session  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Conven- 
tion, held  in  Barnet  the  following  October,  the  Convention  voted 
to  become  an  auxiliary  to  The  American  Baptist  Home  Mission 
Society,  and  organized  a  board  of  managers  to  serve  as  an  execu- 
tive committee  for  home  missions.  From  year  to  year,  interest 
has  been  shown  and  attention  given  to  this  important  branch  of 
the  common  work. 

On  the  money  side  of  our  gifts,  it  is  easy  to  state,  with  meas- 
urable accuracy,  what  has  been  contributed  by  our  State.  The 
first  year,  ending  March,  1833,  there  was  contributed  from  Ver- 
mont, $82.25,  coming  from  the  eight  churches  of  Windsor,  Caven- 
dish, Ludlow,  Mount  Holly,  Middleto^^^l,  Poultney,  North  Spring- 
field and  Chester.  The  total  amount  contributed  to  the  Home 
Mission  Society  and  the  Woman's  Home  Mission  Society,  in- 
cluding 1912,  is  $166,597.  A  remark,  which  will  apply  equally  to 
the  contributions  for  foreign  missions,  should  be  made,  \az. :  that  a 
great  many  collections  and  contributions  have  been  taken  and 
sent  directly  to  the  several  fields  and  workers,  and  no  account  can 
now  be  made  of  such  gifts,  which,  in  the  aggregate,  must  a  ount 
to  a  considerable  sum. 

Concerning  the  workers  who  have  been  related  to  Vermont 
Baptists  and  have  gone  to  the  West  and  South — the  two  special 
fields  of  our  Home  Mission  Society 's  work — prominent  among  the 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  589 

movers,  and  the  first  secretary  of  that  society,  organized  in  New 
York,  April,  1832,  was  Jonathan  Going,  a  Vermonter,  born  in  Read- 
ing, March  7,  1786.  He  fitted  for  college  in  Massachusetts,  en- 
tered Brown  University,  and  graduated  in  1809.  During  his 
freshman  year,  he  was  con^'e^ted  and  baptized  into  the  old  First 
Baptist  church  in  Providence;  studied  theology  for  a  time  with  the 
President  of  B^o^^'n  University,  and  returning  to  "S'ermont,  he  was 
ordained  pastor  of  the  church  in  Cavendish,  the  next  tova\  to  his 
birthplace.  May,  1811,  where  he  remained  pastor  for  four  and  a 
half  years,  when  he  removed  to  Worcester,  Mass.  He  was  greatly 
interested  in  home  missions  and,  in  1831,  was  given  leave  of  absence 
by  his  church  to  visit  the  churches  in  the  western  states,  during 
which  tour,  he  assisted  in  founding  Granville  College,  and  the  next 
year  entered  into  the  service  of  the  new  society,  in  which  work  he 
continued  five  years,  when  he  accepted  the  presidency  of  Granville, 
and  there  continued  till  his  death.  His  death  was  regarded  as  the 
greatest  loss  that  had  befallen  Ohio  Baptists,  and  his  name  and 
work  are  held  in  grateful  remembrance. 

No  records  have  been  kept  of  the  states  from  which  the 
workers  or  missionaries  of  home  missions  have  been  appointed, 
hence  any  gleaner  may  regretfully  omit  mention  of  names  that  are 
equally  worthy  as  those  that  are  known  to  have  been  from  this 
State.  But  if  the  records  had  been  kept  by  states,  first  from  the 
Green  Mountain  State  to  receive  appointment  would  be  found  the 
name  of  Rev.  Ezra  Fisher,  chairman  of  the  first  committee  ap- 
pointed by  the  State  Convention  on  home  missions.  That  meeting 
was  held  October  24  and  25,  1832,  and  the  next  November,  Ezra 
Fisher  requested  dismission  from  the  pastorate  of  the  North  Spring- 
field church,  that  he  might  devote  his  life  to  the  spread  of  the  Gos- 
pel in  the  western  states.  To  this  laborious  and  sometime  perilous 
work,  he  did  devote  himself.  He  was  born  in  Wendell,  Mass., 
January  6,  1800;  converted  in  1818;  graduated  at  Amherst,  1829, 
and  spent  a  year  at  Newton;  pastor  at  Cambridge,  Vt.,  one  year, 
where  he  was,  probably,  ordained  January,  1830;  married  Lucy 
Taft,  February  7,  the  same  year;  then,  November,  1830,  became 
pastor  at  North  Springfield,  closing  as  above  stated;  but  in  that 
two  years  he  baptized  seventy.  He  preached  for  thirteen  years  as 
the  missionary  of  the  American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society  in 


590  HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

Indianapolis,  Ind.,  Quincy,  111.,  and  Davenport,  Iowa.  In  1845, 
he  crossed  the  plains,  traveling  two  thousand,  five  hundred  miles 
with  an  ox  team,  being  seven  and  one-half  months  going  to  the 
Tulatin  Plains,  Oregon,  where  he  at  once  commenced  to  preach. 
In  1846,  he  organized  the  first  Baptist  church  west  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  in  Washington  County,  Oregon.  He  taught  in  what 
became  McMinnville  College,  Oregon.  But  after  1849,  he  gave 
his  entire  attention  to  pastoral  and  missionary  work.  His  last 
sermon  was  preached  at  the  Dallas  church,  October  18,  1874, 
when  he  was  taken  suddenly  ill,  carried  to  his  home  and  died,  No- 
vember 1,  1874.  Says  one,  "In  company  with  Hezekiah  Johnson, 
he  laid  the  foundations  of  the  Baptist  cause  in  Oregon,  and  they 
underwent  privations  and  endured  hardships  such  as  men  will  not 
be  called  to  experience  again  in  the  historv'  of  this  country.'* 
(T.  H.  Archibald). 

Another  missionary  was  M.  D.  Miller,  born  in  Elizabethtown, 
N.  Y.,  1811;  ordained  at  Monkton,  in  1835,  and  successively  pastor 
there  and  at  Charlotte,  North  Springfield,  Dan\ille,  Windham, 
Wilmington  and  Addison,  from  which  last  place  he  went  to  Madi- 
son, Wis.,  where  he  laid  Baptist  foundations  well  and  securely; 
and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days  doing  much  in  the  general 
educational  and  missionary'  work  of  the  state. 

Nathaniel  Culver,  bom  in  Orwell,  Vt.,  where  his  father  was 
then  pastor.  May  10,  1794,  was  the  third  successive  generation  of 
his  family  to  enter  the  ministry.  He  was  converted  in  Massa- 
chusetts, ordained,  and  his  first  pastorate  was  at  West  Clarendon, 
Vt.,  in  1820.  Passing  over  his  work  in  Massachusetts  and  else- 
where, we  are  specially  interested  in  him  as  a  pastor  in  Michigan 
and  Ohio  in  the  fifties,  as  a  leader  in  the  work  in  the  South,  after  the 
Civil  war,  at  Richmond,  and  again,  in  his  work  in  the  Divinity 
School,  in  Chicago,  where  he  died. 

Robert  E.  Patterson,  D.  D.,  born  in  Benson,  Vt.,  hi  1800,  the 
son  of  a  Baptist  minister,  pa.stor  and  teacher  in  Maine,  Rhode 
Island  and  Massachusetts,  was  for  three  years  secretary  of  the 
American  Baptist  Home  Mission  Society,  and  then  teacher  in 
Kentucky,  Waterville  and  ShurtUff  College,  111.,  and,  finally,  in 
1870,  at  Chicago,  and  died  at  St.  Louis.  "Few  men  have  im- 
pressed their  \aews  more  deeply  upon  others. " 


HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  591 

Worthy  of  mention  in  this  connection  are  Brothers  J.  R. 
Graves  and  Z.  C.  Graves,  both  born  in  Chester,  both  uniting  with 
the  North  Springfield  church,  and  later  giving  their  lives  to  preach- 
ing and  teaching  in  Ohio  and  Tennessee. 

H.  I.  Parker,  D.  D.,  was  born  at  Cavendish,  Vt.;  ordained  at 
Manchester  Center;  pastor  for  a  time  at  Burlington,  from  whence 
he  was  called  by  the  Wisconsin  Baptist  Educational  Society,  to 
assist  in  laying  the  foundations  of  Beaver  Dam  School,  Entering 
the  pastorate  soon  after,  he  removed  to  Austin,  Minn.,  where  he 
preached  at  six  stations,  at  all  of  which,  churches  were  subse- 
quently organized;  thence  to  California,  where  he  was  pastor  of 
three  or  more  churches,  and  occupied  a  high  place  in  the  councils 
and  affection  of  his  brethren.     He  died,  January  30,  1885. 

J.  W.  Parker,  D.  D.,  an  older  brother  of  the  last  named,  also 
bom  in  Chester,  did  valuable  work  as  pastor  in  Massachusetts, 
but  gave  several  years  of  service  to  work  for  and  among  the  Freed- 
men.     He  died  in  California,  in  1871,  at  an  age  of  eighty-two. 

Rev.  A.  B.  Green  was  born  in  Warren,  Vt.;  died  at  White- 
water, Wis.,  1878,  aged  fifty -two.  He  toiled  and  wrought  as  few 
have  done  in  pioneer  mission  work. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Brierly  was  one  of  the  most  distinguished,  elo- 
quent and  influential  preachers  in  California.  Bom  in  England,  in 
1811,  he  early  came  to  this  country;  was  converted  as  a  child,  and 
baptized  in  Massachusetts ;  studied  and  gained  honors  as  a  student ; 
pastor  in  New  Hampshire  and  Massachusetts,  and  thence  came  to 
the  North  Springfield  church,  Vermont,  and  also  served  the 
Middlebury  church.  From  there  he  went,  in  1849,  around  Cape 
Horn,  arriving  in  August,  of  that  year,  in  California,  where  he 
was  first  chaplain  of  the  legislature.  He  wrought  nobly  and  left 
a  good  witness,  dying,  in  1863,  at  Nevada  City. 

George  C.  Chandler  was  born  in  Chester,  Vt.,  1807;  baptized 
at  North  Springfield,  1825;  graduated  at  Hamilton,  1835,  and  at 
Newton,  1838;  ordained  the  latter  year,  and  alnost  immediately 
went  West;  became  pastor  and  president  of  a  college  in  Indiana, 
whence  he  was  called  to  the  presidency  of  a  college  in  Oregon;  be- 
came pastor  at  Dallas,  in  1874,  and  the  same  year  was  stricken 
with  paralysis,  from  which  he  never  recovered. 


592  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

It  was  in  1880,  that  one  of  the  most  successful  pastors  in  Ver- 
mont was  summoned  by  the  Home  Mission  Society  for  service  in 
the  far  West — Divight  Spencer,  D.  D.,  who  wrought  effectively 
in  the  far  West  for  several  years. 

Rev.  Frank  Barnett,  ordained  at  Poultney,  was,  in  1885,  called 
to  a  similar  service  in  Utah. 

M.  L.  Rugg,  D.  D.,  born  in  Chester;  converted  and  baptized 
in  Grafton. 

Elbridge  W.  White,  D.  D.,  also  from  the  Grafton  church;  J.  A. 
Leavitt,  ordained  at  Grafton;  Arthur  White,  and  Miss  Nellie 
Greene,  both  of  this  same  Grafton  church,  have  all  been  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Home  Mission  Society,  laboring  in  the  West  and  in  the 
South. 

This  is  but  a  partial  list  of  the  gifts  of  Vermont  in  men  of 
ability  and  piety  to  the  work  of  home  missions. 


Chapter  XXIX 
WOMEN'S  MISSIONARY  SOCIETIES 

Home  Mission 

In  1879,  the  women  of  Vermont,  already  organized  for  the 
foreign  mission,  began  to  reahze  the  importance  of  organization 
and  effort  for  home  missions.  Mrs.  S.  B.  Packard  addressed  the 
women  present  at  the  State  Convention  in  Pouhney,  and  organized 
effort  was  begun,  with  the  approval  and  commendation  of  the  State 
Convention.  Mrs.  Guy  C.  Noble,  of  St.  Albans,  was  appointed 
State  vice-president,  and  began  the  work  of  arousing  the  attention 
of  the  women  of  the  State  to  this  important  branch  of  missions. 
By  1884,  a  director  for  each  Association  had  been  secured,  and 
upward  of  twenty  circles  formed.  Mrs.  Noble  was  compelled  by 
ill  health,  to  resign  in  1885,  and  Mrs.  George  E.  Foss,  of  St.  Albans, 
served  one  year,  when  Mrs.  C.  C.  Post,  of  Burlington,  was  ap- 
pointed and  superintended  the  work  till  1890.  Sixty-eight 
churches  were  then  contributing,  and  the  annual  offerings  had  in- 
creased from  $205  to  upward  of  $1,000.  Miss  Carrie  Kingsland, 
of  Burlington,  served  as  vice-president  two  years,  1891-1892. 
Mrs.  Julia  B.  Safford,  of  Fairfax,  was  appointed  in  1894,  and  with 
great  zeal  and  fidelity  continued  in  the  work  till  1907,  and  was 
then  succeeded  by  Miss  Bertha  I.  Field,  of  North  Springfield,  and 
she  in  turn  by  Mrs.  J.  A.  Greenwood,  in  1908. 

The  churches  very  generally  entered  into  the  work,  holding 
basket  meetings  and  associational  gatherings,  besides  their  in- 
dividual circle  appointments.  Publications  of  the  society  have 
been  taken,  and  interest,  based  upon  information,  stimulated. 

The  associational  directors  have  borne  their  share  of  the  work. 
Worthy  of  special  mention  among  these,  for  their  long  terms  of 
service  and  interest  taken,  are  the  names  of  Mrs.  J.  C.  Hinds,  of 
Vergennes,  who  has  served  as  director  in  the  Addison  Associa- 


594  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

tion  since  1889;  Miss  Mary  Miles,  of  Hinesburg,  Lamoille  Associa- 
tion director,  1894-1908;  Mrs.  H.  Rust,  Rutland,  Shaftsbury  As- 
sociation, 1886-1893;  Mrs.  Laura  T.  Hawley,  Brattleboro,  Wind- 
ham Association,  twenty-five  years,  1887-1912;  Mrs.  L.  A.  Ballou, 
Chester,  Windsor  Association,  ten  years,  1899-1909. 

Other  directors  have  been:  Addison — ,  Mrs.  A.  A.  Arthur,  Mrs. 
N.  J.  Nason;  Danville,— Mrs.  S.  B.  Wheeler,  Mrs.  F.  A.  Shepard- 
son,  Mrs.  Foster  Stevens,  Mrs.  J.  M.  Mitchell,  Mrs.  A.  P.  Hawley, 
Miss  Mary  L.  WiUiams,  Mrs.  A.  L.  Wadsworth,  Mrs.  Emily  K. 
Weed,  Mrs.  G.  C.  Meyers,  Mrs.  J.  L.  Manuel;  Lamoille, — Mrs. 
C.  C.  Post,  Mrs.  C.  M.  Galusha,  Miss  Carrie  Kingsland,  Mrs.  Juha 

B.  Safford,  Mrs.  C.  Aiken;  Shaftsbury,— Mrs.  A,  W.  Cady,  Mrs. 

C.  A.  Reese,  Mrs.  J.  O.  Bangs,  Miss  Ella  E.  Mills,  Miss  Marion  M. 
Forbes,  Mrs.  W^illiam  Adams,  Miss  Minnie  A.  Brush,  Miss  Helen 
Douglas;  Vermont  Central, — Mrs.  S.  R.  G.  Clark,  Mrs.  Jerome 
Leland,  Mrs.  I.  G.  Ford,  Mrs.  E.  E.  TowTier,  Mrs.  Eugene  L.  Hol- 
man,  Mrs.  Ella  F.  Leland,  Mrs.  Mary  L.  Rising,  Mrs.  E.  M. 
Fuller,  Mrs.  Ella  F.  Clough,  Mrs.  F.  A.  Cragg;  Windham, — Mrs. 
Horace  Burchard;  Woodstock, — Miss  Lilly  A.  E.  Robbins,  Mrs. 
E.  C.  Pinney,  Mrs.  C.  B.  Wheeler,  Miss  Ellen  Harlow,  Mrs.  S.  S. 
Clark,  Mrs.  O.  P.  Fuller,  Miss  Alice  S.  Chipman,  Mrs.  P.  D.  Root. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  595 

CONTRIBUTIONS     OF     THE     WOMAN 's     HOME     MISSION     CIRCLES     IN 

VERMONT 


1882 

$  206.86 

1897 

$  977.81 

1883 

234.75 

1898 

911.67 

1884 

563.24 

1899 

1,042.39 

1885 

459.59 

1900 

1,087.99 

1886 

706.90 

1901 

864.66 

1887 

603.06 

1902 

896.21 

1888 

1,091.19 

1903 

1,165.00 

1889 

1,142.35 

1904 

1,320.94 

1890 

1,028.54 

1905 

971.01 

1891 

1,037.54 

1906 

1,072.11 

1892 

891.66 

1907 

1,178.80 

1893 

1,070.05 

1908 

1,655.76 

1894 

1,162.05 

1909 

1,351.90 

1895 

939 . 27 

1910 

1,146.00 

1896 

1,058.21 

1911 

1,316.00 

1912 

1,483.00 

Total  in  the  thirty-one  years,  $30,636.41. 
Foreign  Mission 

In  1872,  the  Baptist  women  of  Vermont  began  to  organize 
circles  auxiliary  to  the  Women's  Baptist  Missionary  Society. 
The  State  Convention  endorsed  the  movement,  and  cordially 
recommended  the  formation  of  circles  in  every  church.  Mrs. 
Mial  Davis,  of  Burlington,  was  appointed  State  secretary,  and  be- 
gan at  once  to  study  the  problem  of  bringing  the  subject  before  the 
women  of  all  the  churches.  She  sent  out  to  every  church  in  the 
State,  that  year,  circulars,  with  a  copy  of  "The  Helping  Hand" 
and  a  magazine.  Six  circles  were  organized  the  first  year.  Mrs. 
Davis '  sudden  death  brought  sadness  and  grief  to  many. 

Mrs,  L.  K.  Fuller  of  Brattleboro,  was  appointed  State  secre- 
tary in  February,  1874,  and  held  the  office  till  1877,  during  which 
time  the  number  of  circles  increased  from  six  to  seventy;  associa- 
tional  secretaries  were  appointed,  and  the  work  was  well  organ- 
ized.    Mrs.  R.  M.  Luther,  of  Bennington,  became  State  secretary 


596  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

in  1877,  continuing  in  office  till  1881.  Mrs.  J.  J.  Townshend,  of 
Chester,  served  in  1881  and  1882;  Mrs.  G.  B.  Gow,  of  Brattle- 
boro,  in  1883;  Mrs.  E.  D.  Mason,  of  Montpelier,  1884  to  1889; 
Miss  Zenobia  Brigham,  of  Bennington,  1889  to  1892;  Mrs.  D.  D. 
Owfen,  of  Ludlow,  1892  to  1901;  Miss  Ada  Brigham,  of  Benning- 
ton, has  been  State  secretary  since  1901. 

Miss  Mary  Brown,  of  Ludlow,  has  been  State  Junior  secre- 
tary since  1893. 

The  difficulty  of  ol^taining  complete  reports  from  the  churches 
makes  statistical  accuracy  next  to  impossible.  The  largest  number 
of  circles  reporting  in  one  year  is  seventy ;  the  average  number  re- 
porting annually  is  not  far  from  sixty. 

Li  1888,  the  young  ladies  of  Bennington,  who  had  for  four 
years  been  supporting  a  girl  in  Mrs.  Mushell's  school,  undertook 
the  support  of  a  boy.  The  young  ladies  of  the  Burlington  church 
adopted  as  their  missionary.  Dr.  Huntley,  in  1904,  and  sent  their 
money  for  his  support. 

The  appointment  of  Miss  Clara  A.  Convers,  of  Grafton,  to 
mission  work  in  Japan,  m  1889,  more  than  any  other  one  event, 
brought  the  women  of  Vermont  into  sympathetic  relation  to  the 
work  of  the  parent  society,  and  deepened  interest  in  missions  gen- 
erally. Miss  Convers  had  endeared  herself  to  many  in  the  State 
before  she  entered  upon  mission  work.  As  a  teacher  in  Vermont 
Academy,  she  had  proven  her  ability  and  revealed  the  quiet 
depths  of  her  christian  character.  It  was  fitting  that  she  should 
take  up  the  work  that  the  ^^^dow  of  our  own  Dr.  Nathan  Bro%\ai 
was  compelled,  by  failing  health,  to  give  up,  thus  continuing  Ver- 
mont 's  work  among  the  Japanese,  into  whose  language  Dr.  Brown 
had  translated  the  New  Testament.  Miss  Convers'  interesting 
work  in  the  Mary  E.  Colbj-  Home,  in  Yokohama,  has  kept  alive 
for  her  the  interest  and  affection  of  her  sisters  in  her  native  State. 

The  Shaftsbury  Association  prom])tly  adopted  Miss  Convers 
as  their  missionary,  and,  in  1807,  the  circles  of  that  Association 
assumed  her  support  in  place  of  the  churches. 

In  1911,  Vermont  reported  fifty-nine  circles,  eight  young 
ladies '  circles  and  fourteen  mission  bands. 

The  following  table  exhibits  the  iannual  contributions  for 
forty  years: 


history  of  the  baptists  in  vermont  597 

Contributions  of 

The  Women's  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Societies 

During  Forty  Years 

TOTAL  amount,  $58,569.66 

annual  amounts 


1st  year 

$   95.75 

21 

$1,404.20 

2 

365 . 37 

22 

2,490.07 

3 

802.62 

23 

1,528.87 

4 

1,022.56 

24 

1,329.45 

5 

1,362.28 

25 

1,516.99 

6 

1,210.65 

26 

1,250.95 

7 

1,490.11 

27 

1,355.93 

8 

1,124.48 

29 

1,288.59 

9 

1,423.01 

30 

1,269.02 

10 

1,408.50 

31 

1,321.39 

11 

1,355.79 

32 

1,424.77 

12 

1,453.23 

33 

1,691.85 

13 

1,067.94 

34 

1,520.07 

14 

1,213.83 

35 

1,379.74 

15 

1,252.71 

36 

1,579.61 

16 

1,540.82 

37 

2,068 .  08 

17 

1,732.18 

38 

2,071.85 

18 

3,640.14 

39 

1,998.96 

19 
20 

1,247.31 
1,583.48 

40 

2,451.83 

Chapter  XXX 
PROMINENT  LAYMEN 

Gen.  Abner  Forbes  was  born  in  Sutton,  Mass.,  February 
29,  1772.  He  came  to  Windsor  in  1788,  and  engaged  in  mercantile 
business  there,  first  as  a  clerk,  but  at  the  age  of  twenty-one  engaged 
in  trade  on  his  own  account.  In  a  few  years  he  accumulated  a 
handsome  estate.  He  was  converted  some  time  before  1800,  and 
joined  the  Congregational  church  in  Windsor  in  that  year.  He 
became  a  Baptist  in  1813.  Zealously  engaged  in  christian  service, 
he  furnished  a  large  part  of  the  means  for  building  a  brick  meeting- 
house for  the  Baptist  church  in  Windsor.  Some  years  after,  he 
conveyed  to  the  church  a  brick  dwelling-house  for  a  parsonage, 
and  estabhshed  a  permanent  income  of  $200  annually  to  be  applied 
to  the  salary  of  the  pastor.  He  was  a  man  of  ardent  piety ;  long  a 
deacon  of  the  church.  When  the  church  was  without  a  pastor, 
he  performed  all  the  duties  which  it  was  proper  for  a  layman  to 
discharge.  He  held  various  civil  offices.  He  was  a  trustee  of 
Middlebury  College  and  of  Columbian  College.  He  died  about  the 
year  1828. 

Jonathan  Merriam.  He  was  born  in  Concord,  Mass.,  July  6, 
1764.  He  was  converted  in  1782.  In  1795,  he  moved  to  Brandon 
and  united  with  the  Baptist  church  there,  and  was  soon  after 
chosen  deacon  and  ordained  to  that  ofiice  in  1806.  He  devoted 
himself  to  the  duties  of  his  office,  discharging  them  with  fidelity 
and  success.  His  piety  was  earnest,  his  death  triumphant.  He 
died  March  26,  1826. 

Hon.  John  D.  Farnsworth  was  born  in  1772,  and  united 
with  the  church  in  Pownal,  in  1794.  He  settled  in  Fairfax,  in 
1795,  and  remained  there  till  1824,  when  he  removed  to  Charlotte, 
and  afterward  to  Fairfax.  He  died  in  1857.  Mr.  Farnsworth 
was  widely  known  both  in  the  civil  and  in  the  religious  affairs  of 
the  State.     For  about  twenty  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  legis- 


600  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

lature  of  this  State,  and  almost  the  same  length  of  time  Chief  Jus- 
tice in  Franklin  Countj'  and  for  more  than  half  a  centurj'  an  ac- 
tive physician.  In  connection  with  Governor  Butler  and  others 
he  drafted  the  Constitution  of  the  Vermont  Baptist  State  Con- 
vention and  was  among  its  firmest  friends  and  most  liberal  sup- 
porters. He  presided  as  moderator  of  the  Lamoille  Association 
seven  years,  and  five  years  as  moderator  of  the  State  Convention. 

Hon.  W.  M.  Pingry  was  born  in  Salisbury,  N.  H.,  May  28, 
1806;  lived  with  his  father  on  a  farm  until  1828;  studied  law  and 
was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1832;  was  baptized  in  1831;  in  May, 
1835,  he  became  a  constituent  member  of  the  Baptist  church  in 
Waitsfield,  and,  in  1838,  was  elected  deacon  and  organized  and 
superintended  a  Sunday  school  at  that  place.  He  moved  to  Per- 
kinsville  in  1841,  and  was  elected  deacon  there  in  1842,  and  was 
for  more  than  thirty  years  a  teacher  or  superintendent  of  the 
Sunday  school  there.  He  was  the  first  president  of  the  Wood- 
stock Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention,  and  also  of  the  Vermont 
Baptist  Sunday  School  Convention,  and  of  the  Vermont  Baptist 
Anti-Slavery  Society.  He  was  president  of  the  board  of  trustees 
of  the  Vermont  Academy  from  its  organization  till  his  death.  He 
was  judge  of  the  AVashington  County  Court  1838-1840;  member 
of  the  Vermont  Constitutional  Convention  in  1850;  State  auditor 
from  1853-1860;  a  member  of  the  House  of  Representatives  I860, 
and  of  the  State  Senate,  1869-1870.     He  died  May,  1885. 

Hon.  Truman  Galusha.  A  member  of  the  Baptist  church  m 
Jericho,  and  a  deacon  there;  was  a  trustee  of  the  New  Hampton 
Institution,  from  the  time  of  its  removal  to  Fairfax,  in  1852,  until 
his  death,  and  the  most  liberal  subscriber  to  its  endowment.  He 
died  suddenly  in  1859.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  the  Con- 
vention nine  years,  and  also  sustained  various  positions  in  civil 
life. 

Deacon  P.  W.  Dean  was  bom  in  1798,  and  died  March 
1879.  He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Convention,  and,  for 
fifteen  years,  a  member  of  the  Board.  He  was  also,  at  one  time,  a 
member  of  the  board  of  the  Missionary  Union.  He  was  a  man  of 
earnest  piety,  and  a  great  aid  to  the  church  in  Grafton,  where  he 
resided,  and  also  filled  important  positions  in  the  civil  affairs  of 
the  town. 


Hon.  Fred  M.  Butler,  Rutland 

Judge  of  Superior  Court 

President  of  Convention,  1909—1910 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  601 

Deacon  S.  Griggs.  Long  an  active  and  prominent  member  of 
the  church  in  Rutland,  and  a  member  of  the  Board  of  the  Conven- 
tion for  thirty-two  years.     He  was  born  in  1784,  and  died  in  1866. 

Deacon  John  Conant  was  one  of  the  most  prominent  Bap- 
tist laymen  in  the  State,  and  a  large  factor  in  the  growth  and  pros- 
perity of  Brandon.  He  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1773,  and 
died  in  Brandon,  in  1856,  to  which  place  he  removed  in  1797.  He 
aided  in  building  a  house  of  worship  for  the  church  before  he  built 
his  owTi  residence.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of  the  Conven- 
tion for  twenty  years,  and  its  treasurer  for  a  long  time. 

Deacon  Jacob  Estey  was  bom  in  New  Hampshire  in  1814, 
and  died  in  Brattleboro,  1890.  He  was  energetic  and  persevering 
in  business  and,  although  sustaining  several  losses,  time  and  again, 
by  fire  and  flood,  he  pressed  on,  and  in  connection  with  his  son. 
Gen.  J.  J.  Estey,  and  his  son-in-law,  Hon.  Levi  K.  Fuller,  built  from 
small  beginnings,  the  Estey  organ  manufactory,  probably  the 
largest  and  most  widely  kno"wai  of  its  kind  in  the  world.  He  was 
a  wise  counsellor,  a  prosperous  business  man,  a  generous  giver, 
and  a  true  christian. 

Hon.  Alanson  Allen.  For  many  years  a  prominent  man  in  the 
history  of  the  Convention ;  he  aided  in  forming  the  church  in  Hyde- 
ville,  in  1850,  and  continued  his  connection  w^th  that  body  until 
he,  with  others,  secured  the  formation  of  the  church  in  Fairhaven, 
in  1867.  His  double  wagon  used  to  bring  a  load  from  Fairhaven, 
on  the  Sabbath,  to  worship  at  Hydeville.  He  was  five  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Board  of  the  Convention,  and  was  prominent  in  the  rela- 
tions of  civil  life.  He  was  discreet  in  advice,  and  large  hearted 
in  giving.     He  was  one  of  the  first  trustees  of  Vermont  Academy. 

Hon.  Ira  C.  Allen.  He  was  born  in  Bristol,  April  4,  1816. 
He  entered  the  employ  of  Alanson  Allen,  in  Livmgston  County, 
N.  Y.,  in  1835,  and  removed  with  him  to  Fairhaven,  in  1836,  where 
he  passed  the  remainder  of  his  life,  with  the  exception  of  one  year 
at  Whitehall,  and  one  year  in  the  city  of  New  York,  where,  in 
1845,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Laight  Street  Baptist  church. 
On  his  return  to  Fairhaven,  he  united  in  the  formation  of  the 
church  in  Hydeville,  and  when  the  church  in  Fairhaven  was  or- 
ganized, he  was  one  of  its  constituent  members.     He  had  large 


602  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

success  in  business,  and  was  a  representative  and  a  senator  in  the 
legislature.  He  was  engaged  in  slate  manufacturing,  in  banking, 
and  in  the  Rutland  and  Whitehall  railroad.  It  is  affirmed,  by 
those  competent  to  judge,  that  to  no  other  man  does  Fairhaven  owe 
so  much  of  its  prosperity.  He  was  at  one  time  trustee  of  Vermont 
Academy  and  a  vigorous  supporter  of  its  interests. 

Hon.  Ryland  Fletcher  was  bom  in  Cavendish,  and  was  long 
connected  with  the  Baptist  church  in  that  place.  He  was  gov- 
ernor of  Vermont,  in  1859,  and  was  from  early  life  a  decided  and 
outspoken  anti-slavery  man.  He  was  moderator  of  the  Conven- 
tion in  1858-1859,  and  was  one  of  the  committee  appointed  by  the 
Convention  in  1859,  to  address  the  American  Baptist  Publication 
Society,  in  regard  to  the  duty  of  that  society  in  reference  to  the 
subject  of  slavery. 

Hon.  Levi  K.  Fuller.  He  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  N.  H., 
February  24,  1841,  and  died  in  Brattleboro,  October  10,  1896. 
In  early  life,  he  united  with  the  Tremont  Street  Baptist  church, 
in  Roxbury,  Mass.  In  1860,  he  settled  m  Brattleboro,  and  began 
that  connection  with  the  Estey  Organ  Company,  which  contmued 
until  his  death.  He  was  a  man  of  varied  abilities.  At  the  time 
of  his  death,  he  had  more  than  one  hmidred  patents  standing  in 
his  name  in  the  United  States  Patent  Office.  He  was  prominent 
in  the  military  organizations  of  the  State.  He  was  lieutenant- 
governor  of  the  State  in  1886,  and  governor  in  1892.  He  was 
president  of  the  Convention  three  years,  its  treasurer  five  years, 
and  a  member  of  its  Board  fifteen  years.  He  was  a  member  of  the 
board  of  trustees  of  Vermont  Academy,  from  its  commencement 
until  his  death;  for  many  years  its  president,  a  liberal  contributor 
to  its  funds,  and  among  its  most  enthusiastic  supporters. 

Deacon  Lawrence  Barnes  was  bom  in  Hillsboro,  N.  H.,  in 
1815.  In  the  year  1861,  he  removed  to  Burlington  and  entered 
into  the  lumber  and  manufacturing  business  there,  and  during  his 
whole  after-life  was  one  of  the  greatest  factors  m  the  business  of 
that  place,  and  one  of  the  most  important  agencies  in  the  rapid 
growth,  and  increasing  influence,  of  the  Baptist  church  there. 
While  he  was  active  and  energetic  in  his  business,  he  was  a  man  of 
consistent  and  devoted  piety,  and  of  large  liberality.     Of  his  in- 


HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  603 

creasing  means,  he  imparted  freely  to  the  various  appeals  of  chris- 
tian benevolence  at  home  and  abroad.  He  was  especially  in- 
terested in  education,  and  to  the  Vermont  Academy  and  the  in- 
stitution at  New  London,  N.  H.,  to  the  theological  seminary  at 
Chicago,  and  to  the  Vermont  University,  he  made  large  donations. 
He  was  deacon  of  the  church  in  Burlington  many  years.  He  died 
June  21,  1886.  His  Bible  class  was  for  years  one  of  the  institutions 
of  Burlington. 

Deacon  Mial  Davis  was  born  in  Dunstable,  N.  H.,  Decem- 
ber 9,  1828.  He  removed  to  Nashua,  N.  H.,  in  1828,  but  finally 
made  Burlington  his  home,  in  1858.  In  his  business,  he  succeeded 
in  amassing  large  wealth,  but  did  not  forget  to  be  "fervent  in 
spirit,  serving  the  Lord."  He  was  deacon  in  the  Baptist  church 
nearly  forty  years.  It  is  said  that  in  his  life-time  he  was  privi- 
leged to  give  to  the  cause  of  Christ  over  $100,000.  In  the  year 
1875,  business  reverses  overtook  the  firm  of  which  he  was  a  mem- 
ber, and  he  no  longer  possessed  the  means  to  do  as  he  had  done  for 
the  good  of  men.  He  removed  to  Fitchburg,  Mass.,  where  he 
spent  the  remainder  of  his  life.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
the  Convention  eight  years,  and  was  one  of  the  first  board  of 
trustees  of  the  Vermont  Academy.  He  was  for  some  years  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  the  Missionary  Union.     He  died  in  1896. 

There  have  been  many  other  laymen,  now  dead,  and  are  many 
still  living  whose  names  we  would  be  glad  to  record  here,  but  we 
forbear.  Their  record  is  on  high,  and  sooner  or  later  their  Master 
will  reward  them  openly. 


Chapter  XXXI 
THE  FREE  WILL  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT. 

Rev.  I.  D.  Stewart,  in  his  "History  of  the  Free  Will  Baptists 
for  Half  a  Century,"  published  in  1862,  says,  "It  is  to  be  regretted 
that  the  traces  of  the  early  churches  in  Vermont  are  so  fragmentary. 
Only  a  glimpse  now  and  then  can  be  caught  of  their  condition,  and 
the  efforts  in  planting  them,  with  one  exception,  are  mostly  for- 
gotten, or  have  not  been  furnished  for  the  history.  The  number  of 
strong  churches  has  never  been  large,  but  from  them,  and  even 
some  of  the  feeblest  ones,  have  gone  forth  the  first  men  to  raise  the 
standard  of  the  Cross  westward  of  New  England,  and  in  every 
period  of  our  history  has  that  State  furnished  her  quota  of  minis- 
ters to  the  cause,  many  of  her  ablest  ones  having  spent  their  best 
energies  in  other  fields  of  labor. " 

The  first  Free  Baptist  church  in  Vermont  was  organized  in 
Strafford,  with  nine  members,  early  m  1793.  Robert  Dickey, 
a  member  of  Elder  Benjamin  Randall's  church  in  New  Durham, 
N.  H.,  workuig  as  a  hired  laborer  with  a  relative,  saw  the  wicked- 
ness and  needs  about  him,  and  under  the  influence  of  his  "excel- 
lent gift  of  exhortation,"  about  thirty  were  hopefully  converted. 
Several  were  baptized.  Calvinistic  articles  of  faith  were  pre- 
sented and  tacitly  received,  and  a  church  was  organized.  The 
members,  however,  were  of  mixed  sentiments,  part  were  Calvin- 
istic and  part  were  not.  They  all  loved  each  other  then  and  chose 
to  be  embodied  together,  but  finally  they  could  not  walk  together 
because  they  were  not  agreed. 

A  letter  dated  Strafford,  September  10,  1791,  was  addressed 
to  the  Baptist  church  in  New  Durham,  N.  H.,  requesting  assist- 
ance in  organizing.     It  was  written  by  Samuel  Rich  in  behalf  of 


Note. — Sources:    I.  D.  Stewart's  "History  of  the  Free  Will  Baptists,"  Free 
"Baptist  Cyclopaedia"  and  Year  Books. 


606  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

several  others,  and  said,  "  We  now  think  it  expedient  to  come  into 
church  order,  as  the  word  of  God  directs,  and  being  informed  by 
Brother  Dickey,  of  your  standing  and  order,  it  being  agreeable  to 
our  minds,  we  request  some  of  the  elders  of  your  church  to  come 
as  soon  as  possible  to  our  assistance,  as  we  are  exposed  to  many 
snares,  and  we  are  alone  as  to  sentiments  in  this  part  of  the  world. " 

Elder  Randall's  engagements  were  such  that  he  could  not 
visit  them  at  once,  but  he  wrote  an  encouraging  letter,  and  in  July, 
he  with  John  Buzzell,  made  a  tour  to  Vermont.  They  tarried  m 
Strafford  a  few  days,  preached  frequently,  visited  extensively, 
and  baptized  a  few.  They  found  the  converts  divided  in  their 
doctrinal  views,  but  united  in  their  church  relation,  and  being 
filled  with  the  Spirit,  they  believed  it  possible  to  live  in  peace,  hav- 
ing softened  their  articles  of  faith.  Without  objection,  they  were 
allowed  to  make  the  trial,  and  were  recognized  as  an  independent 
church. 

In  this  condition  Randall  and  Buzzell  left  them,  fearful  that 
they  could  not  walk  together,  because  they  were  not  agreed  in  their 
doctrmes  of  communion,  election,  and  final  perseverance. 

The  fears  of  Randall  were  soon  realized.  The  brethren  could 
not  let  the  differences  in  their  doctrinal  views  rest;  neither  could 
they  discuss  them  with  love  and  forbearance. 

A  spirit  of  alienation  crept  in,  and  a  mutual  council  was  called. 
A  letter  received  at  New  Durham,  requested  Randall,  or  some  of 
the  "most  able  members,"  to  come  to  their  assistance.  Accom- 
panied by  a  lay  brother,  Randall  visited  them  again  in  February, 
1793,  and  met  in  council  six  others  from  Calvinistic  Baptist  churches 
in  the  vicinity,  for  the  settlement  of  their  difiiculties. 

As  the  division  involved  principles  that  neither  could  sur- 
render, the  council  advised  a  separation.  But  some  were  mi- 
decided  with  which  division  to  go;  and  to  make  a  finality  of  the 
matter,  it  was  agreed  that  William  Grow,  a  Calvinist,  and  Randall, 
should  each  preach  a  discourse,  embodying  his  own  views  in  the 
"five  points,"  and  then  they  would  "poll  the  house."  The  ser- 
mons were  accordingly  preached,  after  which  the  church  took  the 
broad  aisle,  and  Grow,  standing  on  one  side  of  the  house  and  Ran- 
dall on  the  other,  the  members  were  called  upon  to  follow  the  min- 


HISTORY   OF   THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  607 

ister  of  their  choice.  Ten  stood  with  Grow  and  fifteen  with  Ran- 
dall. Neither  division  was  then  organized  as  a  church,  l)ut  a 
"solemn  word  of  caution,  advice  and  exhortation  was  given  by 
several,"  that  they  would  strive  to  live  in  christian  "love  and 
union  and  not  be  consumed  one  l)y  the  other."  Having  "joined 
in  solemn  prayer,"  the  council  dissolved  and  the  congregation  dis- 
persed. 

Among  the  fifteen  that  stood  with  Randall  were  two  men  of 
note.  Dickey,  noted  for  what  he  had  done  in  the  commencement 
of  the  revival,  and  subsequently  in  the  ministry^  though  sad  to  re- 
late, afterward  joined  the  Shakers;  and  Nathaniel  Brown,  noted 
for  his  later  labors.  He  soon  entered  the  ministry;  preached  suc- 
cessfully in  Vermont;  afterward  removed  to  New  York;  planted  the 
first  Free  Will  Baptist  churches  in  that  state,  and  organized  the 
first  Quarterly  Meetings  beyond  the  limits  of  New  England. 

Randall,  on  his  return  home,  informed  Buzzell  of  the  tried 
state  of  the  brethren  in  Vermont,  and  advised  him  to  go  to  their 
relief.  He  did  so  immediately,  and  performed  the  entire  journey 
of  one  hmidred  and  ten  miles  on  foot,  through  the  snows  of  Feb- 
ruary, on  the  last  days  of  that  unpleasant  month  for  traveling. 
He  found  them  not  only  at  variance  with  Calvinists,  l)ut  divided 
among  themselves,  and  greatly  disheartened.  He  preached  sev- 
eral times,  visited  from  house  to  house,  and  encouraged  them  as 
best  he  could,  but  no  human  power  could  move  them  to  action. 
Like  Elijah  under  the  juniper  tree,  they  were  ready  to  die.  At 
their  last  meeting,  he  called  them  together  in  a  room  by  them- 
selves; told  them  of  his  anxiety  for  their  spiritual  life  and  labor; 
the  pains  he  had  taken  to  afl^ord  them  aid,  and  the  apparent  failure 
of  his  effort.  "Now,"  he  said,  "I  ask  it  as  a  partmg  favor  that 
you  sit  do^vn  in  silence  with  me  for  one  half-hour,  and  think  of  your 
condition." 

A  request  so  reasonable,  under  the  circumstances,  they  could 
not  refuse,  and  all  were  seated;  all  were  thoughtful;  Buzzell  was 
engaged  in  mental  prayer;  God  was  in  that  silence;  and  after  fif- 
teen or  twenty  minutes,  one  of  the  number  could  not  suppress  his 
convictions,  and  in  a  most  contrite  and  affecting  manner,  con- 
fessed his  wandering  from  God,  asked  forgiveness,  and  declared  his 


608  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

purpose  to  live  for  Christ.  Eight  others  in  quick  succession  fol- 
lowed his  example,  and  the  power  of  God  was  manifest  beyond  de- 
scription. These  nine  then  entered  into  a  covenant  engagement, 
and  thus  was  constituted  the  First  Free  Will  Baptist  church  in 
Vermont. 

No  record  can  now  be  fomid  of  its  struggles  for  the  first  ten 
years,  but  tradition  says  it  came  up  through  great  tribulation.  For 
a  few  years  it  was  a  lone  star  in  the  State,  and  has  been  one  of  dif- 
ferent magnitude  at  different  times,  but  its  shining  has  always  been 
visible. 

The  further  progress  of  Free  Will  Baptist  sentiments  and  the 
multiplication  of  churches  by  this  name  were  due  to  Gospel  evan- 
gelism pure  and  simple,  not  a  love  of  controversy,  but  a  love  of 
souls,  coupled  with  intense  conviction  as  to  the  truth  of  the  doc- 
trines which  distinguished  them  from  others. 

In  the  autumn  of  1800,  Rev.  Joseph  Boody,  senator,  of  Bar- 
rington,  N.  H.,  made  a  tour  into  northern  Vermont,  baptized 
eighteen  in  Sheffield  and  organized  a  church  with  fifty-six  members. 

Batchelder  had  organized  one  at  Tunbridge.  William  S. 
Babcock,  son  of  a  wealthy  merchant,  settled  in  Springfield,  was 
converted  from  infidelity,  aliout  1800;  commenced  preaching; 
was  ordahied  by  Jeremiah  Ballard,  and  gathered  a  church  of 
twenty-five  members.  Rev.  Steven  Place,  from  Rhode  Island, 
also  gathered  a  church  of  twenty-one  members  m  Weathersfield. 
These  two  churches  sought  admission  to  the  fellowship  of  the 
Free  Will  Baptists,  and  after  examination  were  received.  Aaron 
Buzzell  came  into  Vermont  at  this  time,  and  became  pastor  of  the 
Strafford  church,  continumg  in  that  relation  thirty-seven  years, 
and  became  a  general  councilor  in  the  cause  of  Christ.  In  the 
northern  i)art  of  the  State,  Joseph  Boody  was  preaching  and 
planting  churches.  July  4,  several  brethren  from  the  churches 
in  Hard  wick,  Sutton,  Sheffield  and  Danville,  met  at  Gideon 
Leavitt's,  in  Wheelock,  for  conference,  and  established  the  AMiee- 
lock  Quarterly  Meeting,  an  unauthorized  organization  according  to 
the  policy  of  that  day,  l)ut  later  formally  approved. 

June  26,  1802,  Tingley,  John  Buzzell  and  representatives 
from  Strafford,  Tunbridge,  Vershire,  Corinth  and  probably.  Brook- 


HISTORY   Oi^   THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  609 

field,  met  at  Vershire  and  organized  a  Quarterly  Meeting  to  be 
knowTi  as  the  Strafford  Association.  At  a  meeting  held  in  the 
same  place  the  next  day,  Nathaniel  BrowTi,  of  Strafford,  was 
ordained.  John  Buzzell  preached  two  hours  and  three-quarters, 
from  the  text,  "Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  creature."  The  last  part  of  his  discourse  consisted  of 
four  distinct  addresses,  made  to  ministers,  christians,  backsliders, 
and  sinners.  Those  of  each  class  rose,  and  stood,  while  the  ad- 
dress was  being  made  to  them.  There  were  fifteen  hundred  in 
this  audience.  The  same  council  met  with  the  church  in  Tun- 
bridge,  July  1,  and  ordained  one  of  its  members,  Nathaniel  King. 
Eli  Steadman  was  soon  afterward  ordained  and  the  Quarterly 
Meeting  then  had  four  ministers,  five  churches  and  three  hundred 
and  thirty  members.  "From  this  storehouse  of  gospel  truth,  the 
seed  of  the  kingdom  was  soon  carried  to  western  New  York  and 
southern  Ohio  by  these  two  men,  Bro^vn  and  Steadman." 

August  28,  a  committee  of  the  Yearly  Meeting  met  the  as- 
sociated churches  at  WTieelock,  and  ordained  Eliphalet  Max- 
field  and  Robmson  Smith  as  evangelists;  and  Peleg  Hicks,  a 
Calvinistic  Baptist  minister,  and  with  his  two  churches,  miited 
with  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  The  Hardwick,  now  Wheelock 
Quarterly  Meeting,  then  had  four  ministers — Boody,  Maxfield, 
Smith  and  Hicks — and  eight  churches — Hardwick,  Sutton,  Shef- 
field, Upper  Danville,  Lower  Danville,  Cabot,  and  the  two  Cal- 
vinistic Baptist  churches,  names  unknown,  and  it  numbered 
two  hundred  and  sixty  members. 

For  a  time,  in  both  the  Strafford  and  the  Hardwick  Quar- 
terly Meetings,  there  were  revival  influences  and  large  accessions 
of  members.  By  1807,  reaction  had  begun.  The  Lower  Danville 
church  left  the  Quarterly  Meeting,  renomiced  the  name  Free  Will 
Baptist  and  assumed  the  name  Christian.  At  the  Yearly  Meeting 
held  in  Bradford,  February  6,  1808,  the  reports  from  the  churches 
were  not  altogether  cheering.  The  next  year  there  was  evidence 
of  some  improvement. 

During  the  next  decade,  in  spite  of  some  distracting  influences, 
the  work  of  the  Free  Will  Baptists  prospered  through  the  efforts 
of  consecrated  men  in  evangelistic  work.  John  Colby,  after  a 
long  journey  westward,  spent  the  rest  of  the  year  1810,  in  revival 


610  HISTORY   OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 

in  Sutton,  Burke,  Lyndon  and  WTieelock,  where  fifty-one  were 
baptized.  In  central  Vermont,  the  labors  of  Buzzell  and  King 
were  blessed  to  the  churches  in  Strafford,  Tunbridge,  Vershire, 
Corinth,  Northfield  and  Woodstock.  Clarissa  Danforth,  of 
Weathersfield,  entered  ujion  evangelistic  work  and  the  winsome- 
ness  of  her  manner  and  the  novelty  of  her  position,  and  the  ability 
of  her  preaching,  drew  large  audiences  and  gave  encouraging 
resuhs.  Charles  Bowles,  a  colored  man  born  in  Boston,  a  soldier 
in  the  army  of  the  Revolution,  became  a  Free  Will  Baptist  and 
an  evangelist,  whose  unblemished  character  and  aliility  as  a 
preacher  won  for  him  confidence  and  gave  him  power.  In  1816, 
he  settled  in  Huntington,  where  one  hmidred  and  fifty  were  con- 
verted and  a  church  of  ninety  members  organized.  The  Yearly 
Meeting  at  Tunbridge,  Februarys  1,  1817,  was  one  of  great  interest. 
Twelve  hmidred  were  m  attendance  on  the  Smiday  services.  The 
Waterford  and  St.  Johnsbury  churches  were  refreshed.  The 
Huntington  Quarterly  Meeting  was  organized  September  12,  1818, 
and  consisted  of  the  churches  in  Huntington,  Duxbury,  Hines- 
burg  and  Shelbunie,  and  a  little  later,  churches  were  formed  in 
Stowe  and  Waterl)ury.  Allen  preached  alternately  at  WTieelock 
and  Cabot,  and  fifty  were  baptized. 

Early  Free  Will  Baptist  Churches  and  Ministers  in 

Vermont 

The  churches  kno^\^l  to  have  existed  in  Vermont  at  the  close 
of  the  eighteenth  century  were  Strafford,  organized  in  1793,  and 
Corinth,  in  1798,  and  Daniel  Batchelder  was  the  only  man  that 
had  received  ordination. 

1800-1810 

Churches  Organized.  Cabot,  Danville,  Hardwick,  SheflKeld, 
Springfield,  Tunbridge,  Vershire,  Walden  and  West  Danville, 
1801;  Lyndon,  Sutton,  and  Weathersfield,  1802;  Washington, 
\^'aterford,  Hatley  and  Stanstead  (in  Canada),  1805;  Calais,  Con- 
cord, Deweysburg  and  Barnston  (in  Canada),  1808;  Chester, 
Peacham  and  Bradford,  time  unknowTi. 


HISTORY   OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  611 

Ordinations.  In  1800,  William  S.  Babcock;  1802,  Ephraim 
Ainsworth,  Nathaniel  Brown,  Nathaniel  King,  Eliphalet  Max- 
field,  Robinson  Smith  and  Eli  Steadman;  1803,  Benjamin  Page, 
James  Spencer  and  Ziba  Woodworth;  1804,  Edward  Ralph,  and 
two  in  Strafford  Quarterly  Meeting,  names  unknown;  1805, 
Paul  Holbrook;  1806,  Avery  Moulton  (in  Canada);  1809,  John 
Colby,  David  Norris  and  Benjamin  Putnam;  and  Daniel  Chappel, 
time  unknoMii. 

1810-1820 

Churches  Organized.  In  1801,  East  Randolph;  1812,  Mont- 
pelier;  1815,  Newark;  1816,  Huntington  and  West  Brookfield; 
1817,  Duxbury,  Hinesburg  and  Shelburne;  1818,  St.  Johnsbury 
and  Melbourn  in  Canada;  1819,  Stowe  and  Waterburj'^;  and 
Compton  in  Canada. 

Ordinations.  In  1810,  Rufus  Cheney;  1811,  Moses  Norris; 
1815,  Willard  Bartlett,  Nathaniel  Bowles,  Samuel  Gilman  and 
Moses  Wallace;  1816,  Charles  Bowles,  George  Hackett,  Thomas 
Moxley  and  Daniel  Quimby;  1818,  Reuben  Allen,  Abel  Bugby, 
John  Orcutt  and  Jonathan  Woodman;  1819,  Jonathan  Nelson. 
The  years  in  which  Frederic  Clark,  J.  Capron,  B.  Maynard  and 
Samuel  Webster,  were  ordained  are  unknown. 

Deaths.     In  1811,  Nathaniel  Marshall;  1817,  John  Co.by. 

1820-1830 

Churches  Organized.  1820,  Middlesex,  and  Woodbury;  1821, 
Jericho,  Morgan,  Roxbury,  Starksboro  and  Windsor;  and  Dur- 
ham, Canada;  1822,  Groton  and  Richmond;  1823,  Canaan  and 
Enosburg;  1824,  Woodworth;  1825,  Farnham,  and  St.  Armand, 
Canada;  1826,  Bakersfield  and  St.  Albans;  and  Dunliam,  Canada; 
1827,  South  Enosburg  and  Worcester;  1828,  Leverett,  and  Bolton, 
Canada;  1829,  Newport  and  Westboro,  Canada. 

Ordinations.  In  1820,  Leland  Huntley,  Samuel  Lord,  and 
George  W.  PowTial;  1821,  Edward  E.  Dodge,  Calvui  Huntley, 


612  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

James  Morgan,  Dexter  Smith  and  Josiah  Weatherbee;  1822, 
William  Davidson,  Ziba  Pope  and  Sylvanus  Robinson;  1823, 
Perley  Hall;  1824,  Jonas  Allen,  Thomas  M.  Jackson  and  Porter 
Thomas;  1825,  Nathaniel  Ewer  and  Erastus  Harvey;  1826,  Harley 
Burr,  Edward  Fay,  John  Hillar,  Alanson  Kilborn  and  Nathaniel 
Perry;  1827,  Sewal  Fullom,  Stephen  Leavitt  and  Nathan  Muxley; 
1828,  Benjamin  Chatterton  and  Abiel  Moulton,  Canada;  1829, 
Samuel  Dennett,  Orange  Dike  and  Simeon  Haseltine,  Simeon 
Alden,  James  Rockwell,  Canada. 

Deaths.  1824,  Paul  Holbrook;  1826,  Samuel  Webster;  1827, 
Ziba  Woodworth;  1828,  Thomas  M.  Jackson  and  Avery  Moulton, 
Canada. 

The  Strafford  Quarterly  Meeting 

About  1830,  we  find  that  the  ten  veteran  interests,  whose 
origin  we  have  traced,  had  gained  another  ten.  In  addition  to 
Strafford,  organized  in  1793;  Corinth,  1798;  Tunbridge,  1800; 
Vershire,  1800;  Washington,  1802;  Randolph,  1810;  West  Brook- 
field,  1816;  East  Roxbury,  1821;  Groton,  1822;  Windsor,  1822; 
we  find  in  the  field  the  Second  Tunbridge,  Northfield,  Hartford, 
Orange,  Hanover,  (N.  H.),  Plymouth,  West  Roxbury,  East  Brook- 
field,  Topsham,  and  Kingston.  Aaron  Buzzell  was  still  at  Straf- 
ford, Nathaniel  King,  at  Tunbridge,  while  Ziba  Pope  and  Natha- 
niel Bowles,  and  twelve  other  ordained  ministers,  were  serving  the 
nineteen  churches  of  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1833,  Berlin, 
MoretoA^Ti,  Cavendish,  Mount  Holly  and  West  Windsor  had  been 
received,  and  the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  twenty-four  churches 
with  a  membership  of  one  thousand,  two  hundred  and  ninety-four, 
far  the  largest  in  the  Yearly  Meeting,  and  the  fifth  Quarterly 
Meeting  in  size  in  the  denomination.  The  Strafford  church  now 
had  a  membership  of  one  hundred  and  sixty-four;  the  First  Tun- 
bridge, of  one  hundred  and  eighty-six;  the  First  Corinth,  of  one 
hundred  and  fifty-five.  In  1834,  Newbury  was  added;  1835, 
Granville  and  East  WilliamstowTi. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  613 

In  1836,  the  Strafford  Quarterly  Meeting  yielded  its  thirteen 
northern  churches,  with  a  membership  of  about  seven  hundred, 
to  form  the  Corinth  Quarterly  Meeting.  Its  eleven  remaining 
churches,  the  Cavendish,  Granville,  Plymouth,  Randoljjh,  Straf- 
ford, First  Tunbridge,  Second  Tmibridge  and  West  Windsor,  had 
a  membership  of  five  hundred  and  eighty-four.  Three  years  later 
there  were  seven  hmidred  and  twenty-nine.  During  the  next 
fifteen  years  it  decreased  to  three  hmidred  and  two. 

In  1840,  Second  Plymouth  was  added;  1842,  Plymouth  and 
Ludlow  church;  1843,  Bridgewater  and  Plymouth;  1842,  Center 
Tmibridge,  with  fifty-seven  members,  and  1843,  East  Tunbridge, 
with  thirty  members.  In  1845,  the  old  Second  Tunbridge  became 
extinct,  and  the  next  year  the  East  Tunbridge.  The  First  Tun- 
bridge contmued  its  work  till  1879.  In  1846,  a  church  with 
eighteen  members  appeared  in  Andover,  for  a  little  time.  In 
1861,  another,  with  ten  members  at  Hancock,  and  in  1878,  a  church 
at  Plymouth  with  twenty-four  members. 

In  1888,  the  Strafford  Quarterly  Meeting  had  three  churches — 
Strafford,  East  Randolph,  and  Tunbridge,  with  a  total  member- 
ship of  two  hundred  and  eighty-eight. 

Wheelock  Quarterly  Meeting  Organized  1802 

The  complete  report  of  this  Quarterly  Meeting,  in  1832,  shows 
five  hundred  and  thirty-one  members;  nine  ministers,  and  fifteen 
churches: — Hardwick,  Sheffield;  Cabot,  organized  in  1800;  the 
Sutton,  1801;  the  Waterford,  1802;  Concord,  1805,  1821;  Mont- 
pelier,  1812,  1826;  St.  Joliiisbury,  1818;  Indian  Stream,  Canaan, 
StewartstowTi,  (N.  H.),  1823;  Worcester,  1827;  Brandon,  1832; 
WTieelock  (South  Wheelock  after  1850);  and  Charleston  (after 
1870,  East  Charleston),  time  unknoxMi;  In  1834,  Brighton  ap- 
peared for  one  year,  with  six  members,  and  Lyndon,  where  an  in- 
terest was  planted  in  1801,  was  reorganized  with  sixty  members; 
while  Woodbury,  organized  in  1820,  appeared  in  the  report.  In 
1837,  Second  Sutton  and  Second  Sheffield  interests  appeared;  in 
1839,  Glover;  Second  Wheelock  (later  Wheelock  Hollow),  and  the 
next  year.  Second  Montpelier  and  Newark,  where  an  original  in- 


614  HISTORY  OF  THE   BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

terest  had  been  organized  in  1815.  At  Wheelock  (after  1862, 
Walden  and  Wheelock),  where  an  original  interest  began  in  1800, 
the  church  was  organized  in  1840,  and  retained  its  visibility  for 
over  forty  years.  About  1841,  temporary  interests  appeared  at 
Second  Waterford,  Second  Danville  (West  Danville,  1800),  and 
Kirby,  and  a  year  or  two  later,  at  Monroe  and  at  Orleans.  The 
Coventry  church,  organized  in  1841,  was  known  as  the  Coventry 
and  Brownington  after  1860,  and  ten  years  later  was  reorganized, 
in  1870,  as  the  Brownington  church. 

By  1845,  churches  were  organized  at  Albany,  Danville  (after 
1870,  called  North  Danville);  Second  Lyndon,  Lyndon  Center, 
(called  Lyndon  Center  after  the  loss  of  the  First  Lyndon  or  Lyndon 
Hill,  in  1857);  Goshen  Gore  (Goshen  Gore  and  West  Wheelock  in 
1865);  in  1846,  Wolcott  (after  1860,  Wolcott  and  Hardwick),  was 
organized,  and  soon  after,  Colebrook.  By  1860,  Irasburg,  New- 
port (Newport  Center,  after  1870),  and  Westmore  had  appeared, 
and  the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  nineteen  churches  with  over  seven 
hundred  members.  In  1861,  Craftsbury  and  South  Barton  (re- 
organized in  1887),  were  added,  and  West  Charleston,  in  1864. 
By  1870,  East  Haven  and  Stannard  (soon  Stannard),  and  West 
Wheelock  churches  were  reported. 

In  1887,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  one  thousand,  one  hun- 
dred and  sixty  members,  with  eighteen  ministers  and  seventeen 
churches.  First  Sheffield,  1800;  East  Charleston  (early  North 
Danville),  1800;  South  Wheelok  (early  St.  Johnsbur>0,  1818; 
Sutton,  1837;  Second  Sheffield,  1837;  Wheelock  Hollow,  1839; 
Albany,  1843;  Lyndon  Center,  1843;  Wolcott  and  Hardwick,  1846; 
Newport  Center,  1860;  West  Charleston,  1864;  East  Haven,  1870; 
West  Derby,  1870;  Brownington,  1870,  and  South  Barton,  1887. 

Huntington  Quarterly  Meeti  nonorganized  1818 

In  1829,  the  Huntington  Quarterly  Meeting  had  fourteen 
churches,  as  follows:  Huntington,  Duxbury,  Hinesburg  and  Shel- 
burn,  organized  in  1817;  Stowe,  1819;  Waterbury  and  Stowe, 
1819;  Middlesex,  1820;  Starksboro,  1821;  Richmond,  1822;  Ben- 
son, 1823;  Putnam,  Bolton,  Jericho,  Second  Huntington,  time  of 
organization  unknown.     In  1832,  IVut  eleven  churches   reported. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  615 

though  new  interests  had  appeared,  as  Third  Huntington,  Underhill, 
Lincoln,  Hinesburg  (organized  in  1832).  The  membership  in 
1832,  was  four  hundred  and  one.  In  the  next  two  years  it  rose  to 
four  hundred  and  sixty- two,  and  Dresden  church  reported.  In 
1835,  four  churches  of  this  Quarterly  Meeting  united  with  three 
new  churches  to  form  the  Rutland  Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1835, 
Bolton  Reckerhill  church  appeared.  In  1836,  the  Quarterly  Meet- 
ing still  had  three  hundred  and  ninety-four  members  in  eleven 
churches,  including  Waterbury  (reorganized  in  1836),  old  organiza- 
tion, 1819),  with  nine  ministers.  In  1837,  Danbury  and  Second 
Starksboro  were  added.  In  1839,  Second  Underhill  (Underhill 
Center,  after  1853),  Second  Huntington  and  the  Warren  churches 
appeared;  Waterbury  Center  in  1841;  Second  Stowe,  in  1843;  and, 
in  1844,  the  churches  at  West  Craftsbury  and  in  Morristown. 

In  1846,  the  Quarterly  Meetmg  had  seventeen  churches,  with 
as  many  ministers  and  six  hundred  and  seventy-six  members. 
Temporary  interests  appeared  at  Elmore,  in  1843;  Second  Middle- 
sex, in  1850;  and  Craftsbury,  in  1852.  In  1856,  Stowe,  West 
Branch,  was  organized;  in  1858,  Walcott,  West  Branch;  in  1859, 
West  Berlin,  and  in  1860,  Jonesville.  In  1860,  the  membership 
was  four  hundred  and  ninety-eight,  with  twelve  churches  and  as 
many  ministers.  In  1870,  the  Waterbury  Center  church  was 
divided  to  form  the  Waterbury  Center  and  Waterbury  River 
church.  The  same  year  churches  were  organized  at  Cambridge 
and  at  Fayston,  and  four  years  later,  at  Morristown  Center,  and 
at  South  Starksboro.  The  Quarterly  Meeting  now  had  sixteen 
churches,  with  seven  hundred  and  ninety  members.  In  1887, 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  six  hundred  and  twenty-four  members, 
with  nine  ministers,  and  twelve  churches,  as  follows:  Hunting- 
ton, 1817;  Waterbury  Center,  1819;  Starksboro,  1821;  Middlesex, 
1823;  Lincohi,  1832;  Underhill  Center,  1839;  Warren,  1839; 
Stowe  (West  Branch),  1856;  Waterbury  River,  1870;  Caml)ridge, 
1870;  Fayston,  1870;  and  Morristown,  1874. 

Dover  Quarterly  Meeting — Organized  1828 

In  1831,  this  Quarterly  Meeting  reported  Dover  with  eighty- 
five  members;  Dummerston,  forty-five;  Florida  (Mass.),  fifteen; 


616  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

Guilford,  twenty-three;  Hinsdale  (N.  H.),  fifty;  Halifax,  nineteen; 
^^^litingham,  forty-seven.  Total  membership,  three  hundred  and 
twenty-one.  Being  isolated,  this  Yearly  Meeting  did  not 
unite  with  any  Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1840,  the  Dummerston 
church  disappeared;  in  1842,  the  Guilford  church  was  lost;  in  1845, 
the  Whitingham  church  was  lost. 

With  the  disappearance  of  the  Dover  church,  in  1845,  the 
little  Quarterly  Meeting  drifted  wholly  into  Massachusetts,  and 
became  the  Franklin  Quarterly  Meeting,  M'hich,  after  reporting 
three  years,  disappeared. 

Enosburg  Quarterly  Meeting 

In  1832,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  fourteen  churches,  with 
eight  preachers,  and  two  hundred  and  thirty-five  members.  Dur- 
ing the  next  few  years,  temporary  interests  appeared  at  Hog  Island, 
Alburg  and  St.  Avanon.  In  1841,  the  Second  Enosburg  mterest 
was  organized  with  eight  members.  In  1842,  the  Brome,  Bolton, 
and  Farnham  East  churches  were  dismissed  to  form  the  Brome 
Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1845,  an  interest  was  organized  at  Berk- 
shire, with  seven  members,  and  another  at  East  Famham  with 
ten  members.  The  East  Farnham,  which  joined  the  Brome  Quar- 
terly Meeting,  had  disappeared.  The  Old  East  P'arnham  had 
been  the  First  Farnham,  (organized  in  1825);  East  Farnham, 
(1845),  was  knoA\Ti  as  Second  Farnham;  West  Famham  (1832), 
became  First  Farnham.  In  1846,  a  church  was  orgarized  with 
nine  members  at  Lowell.  The  next  year  the  Quarterly  Meetuig 
had  two  hundred  and  thirty-four  members,  against  two  hundred 
and  thirty-five  in  1832.  In  1850,  Rice  Hill  appeared  on  the  roll  . 
with  forty-three  members.  In  1851,  Bakersfield  (old  interest 
organized  in  1826),  was  organized  with  fifteen  members,  and  two 
years  later,  Fletcher,  with  twelve  members.  In  1858,  the  Quar- 
terly Meeting  had  nhie  churches,  four  ministers,  and  two  hmidred 
and  thirty-eight  members.  The  next  year  Sheldon  appeared. 
In  1861,  Bolton  again  appeared,  and,  in  1873,  Brome  was  added. 
The  Quarterly  Meeting  had  one  hundred  and  twelve  members, 
three  ministers,  and  five  churches:  at  Enosburg  (1823),  Frank- 
lin, Famham,  (East  Famham  1825,  1845);  Bolton,  (West  Bolton, 


HISTORY  OF    THE    BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT  617 

1828,  1861);  Brome  (West  Brome  by  1842).  The  report  in  1886, 
had  these  same  five  churches  with  five  pastors  and  one  hundred 
and  nine  members. 

The  Rutland  Quarterly  Meeting 

Organized  in  1835,  by  the  union  of  the  four  churches  from  the 
Hmitmgton  Quarterly  Meeting;  Benson,  organized  1823;  Putnam 
(N.  Y.),  1829;  Rutland,  1833,  (West  Rutland  after  1845);  Dres- 
den (N.  Y.),  1834,  with  the  churches  in  Northeastern  New  York 
at  Fort  Ann,  Warrensburg,  and  Whitehall,  (all  organized  in  1835). 

The  Quarterly  Meeting  had  in  its  seven  churches  two  hun- 
dred and  fifteen  members,  with  two  ministers.  It  was  not  then 
connected  with  the  Quarterly  Meeting.  In  1836,  churches  were 
added  at  Caldwell  and  Danby,  with  their  pastors.  From  1839, 
the  Quarterly  Meeting  was  reported  under  the  Yearly  Meeting. 
In  1839,  Johnsburg  was  added;  in  1841,  Minerva  Branch;  in 
1842,  Middletown,  and  in  1843,  Hadley.  The  Quarterly  Meeting 
now  had  eleven  churches,  with  seven  ministers,  and  two  hundred 
and  thirty-one  members.  A  church  was  organized  at  Day,  in 
1848.  In  1849,  the  Quarterly  Meeting  had  two  hundred  and 
forty-eight  members  with  ten  churches  and  nine  ministers.  The 
next  year  Bolton  church  appeared.  Its  four  pastorless  churches 
at  Dresden,  Fort  Ann,  Middletown  and  West  Rutland  had  failed 
to  report  for  several  years.  In  1855,  its  five  churches  at  Caldwell, 
Hadley,  Johnsburg,  Putnam  and  Warrensburg,  with  nine  minis- 
ters, became  known  as  the  Lake  George  Quarterly  Meeting  and 
united  with  central  New  York  Yearly  Meeting. 

The  Corinth  Quarterly  Meeting — Organized  1836 

This  body  was  organized  by  the  Strafford  Quarterly  Meetmg, 
yielding  for  this  purpose  the  churches  as  follows:  First  Corinth 
(1798),  Vershire  (1800),  Washington  (1802),  Northfield,  First 
Orange  (East  Orange),  West  Roxbury,  East  Brookfield,  West 
Brookfield,  (1816),  (1836),  Topsham,  Berlin,  and  Moretown  (1833), 
Second  Corinth  (1833),  Newbury  (1834),  and  East  Williamstown 
(1835). 


618  HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

In  1835,  a  Second  West  Brookfield  church  was  organized  with 
fifteen  members.  In  1837,  West  Fairlee,  Middlesex,  and  Second 
Orange  churches  reported.  In  1839,  East  Roxbury  was  added 
and  the  number  reached  seven  hundred  and  ninety-eight.  By 
1855,  several  of  the  smaller  churches  had  disappeared  and  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  had  but  ten  churches  and  three  hundred  and 
forty-nine  members.  The  Second  Orange  church  disappearing  in 
1853  reappeared  in  1859  for  a  few  years.  In  1859,  a  church  in 
Groton  was  organized  with  nineteen  members.  In  1875,  the 
Quarterly  Meeting  had  three  hundred  and  fifty-five  members  and 
six  of  its  original  churches.  First  Corinth  (1798),  Second  Corinth 
(1833),  East  Orange  (First  Orange),  West  Topsham,  (Topsham), 
East  WiUiamstowTi  (1835)  and  Washington  (1802).  A  small 
church  in  West  Berlin  which  disappeared  about  1865,  reappeared 
in  1882,  and  makes  the  list  m  1888,  seven,  with  a  membership, 
three  hundred  and  five. 

1912. 

The  Free  Baptist  churches  in  Vermont  have  been  subject  to 
the  same  influences  that  have  affected  other  Baptist  churches. 
Emigration,  change  in  the  character  of  the  population  and  other 
causes  have  caused  a  serious  shrinkage  in  the  numerical  strength 
of  the  denomination.  From  1892  to  1911,  there  has  been  a  change 
in  the  statistics  for  the  State  from  six  Quarterly  Meetings  to  three, 
from  forty-nine  churches  to  twenty-seven;  from  fifty-three  min- 
isters to  eighteen,  and  from  two  thousand,  four  hundred  and  forty- 
five  members  to  one  thousand,  seventy-nme.  Recent  mutual  ad- 
vances of  Baptists  and  Free  Baptists  toward  practical  union  give 
ground  for  the  expectation  that  soon  the  two  denominations  will 
be  merged  in  one. 

The  Quarterly  Meetings  are  Huntington,  Orange  County,  and 
Wheelock. 

T}ie  Huntington  Quarterly  Meeting  consists  of  five  churches, 
namely,  Huntington,  thirty-four  members;  Shady  Rill,  thirty-five; 
Starksboro,  one  hundred  and  thirty-one;  Waterliury  Center, 
thirty-five;  Waterbury  River,  ten.     Contributions,  $161.55. 

The  Orange  County  Quarterly  Meeting  consists  of  nine  churches, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT  619 

five  ministers,  one  hundred  and  seventy-six  resident  members; 
two  hundred  and  sixty-one  total  membership.  Total  contribu- 
tions, $306.26.  The  churches  are  First  Corinth,  fifteen  members; 
Second  Corinth,  twenty-one;  East  Orange,  twenty-four;  East 
Randolph,  forty-two;  East  Williamstown,  seven;  North  Tunbridgc, 
thirty-four;  South  Strafford,  seventy-one;  Washmgton,  fifteen; 
West  Topsham,  thirty-two. 

The  Wheelock  Quarterly  Meeting  consists  of  thirteen  churches, 
nine  ministers,  resident  members,  three  hundred  and  seventy-nine; 
total  mem])ership,  five  hundred  and  seventy-three.  Contributions, 
$301.81.  The  churches  are  Albany,  seventeen  members;  Dmi- 
kirk,  fourteen;  Enosburg  Falls,  seventy-seven;  Lyndon  Center, 
eighty-five;  North  Danville,  forty-two;  First  Sheffield,  twenty- 
three;  Second  Sheffield,  twenty- three;  South  Barton,  six;  South 
Wheelock,  nine;  St.  Johnsbury,  sixty-four;  Sutton,  eighty;  W>st 
Charleston,  eighty-four;  \Mieelock,  twenty-five. 


ROLL  OF  BAPTIST  AND  FREE  BAPTIST  CHURCHES 
CHRONOLOGICALLY  ARRANGED 


1768-1910. 

1708. 

Shaftsbury  1st,  disbanded,  1844. 

1772. 

Pownal,  t'xtiiKl,  1774. 

1780. 

Wallingfurtl. 
Woodstock,  extinct, 
(luilford,     extinct,     18!iJG. 
Shaftsbury,    i^nd,    extinct,    1840. 

1781. 

Manchester  Center. 
Danby  1st,  extinct,  1800. 
Guilford,  2nd,  exiinct,  1800. 

1782. 

PoA\'nal,    2nd. 
Westminster,  extinct,  1812. 
Cfuilford,   3d,   extinct,    1800. 
Shaftsbury,  3d,  extinct,  1798. 

1783. 

Shaftsbmy. 

Corinth,  extinct. 

Ira. 

Halifax,  extinct,  1792. 

Richmond,  extinct,  1844. 

Athens,  extinct,   1798 

1784. 

MiddletowTi    Springs. 
Royalton,  extinct,  1807. 
Pittsford,  extinct,  1841. 


1785. 

Brookline. 

West  Clarendon,  extinct,  1802. 

1786. 

East  Clarendon,  extinct,  1832. 
Leicester,   extinct. 

1787. 

Putney,  extinct,  1860. 
East  Ilubbardton. 
Orwell,  exiinct,  1865. 

1788. 

Reading,  extinct,  1834. 

1789. 

Chester. 

Hartford,   extinct,    1840. 
Hartland,  extinct. 
Rockingham,  extinct,  1812. 
Thetford,    extinct. 
Woodstock,    extinct. 

1790. 

Jamaica. 

Danville,  extinct,  1843. 
Pawlet,  extinct,  1831. 
Pownal,  2nd,  extinct. 

1791. 

Cambridge,  1st,  extinct,  1801. 
Hard  wick,  extinct,  1800. 
Randolph,  extinct,  1841. 
Somerset,  extinct,  1822. 


622 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


1792. 

East  Wardsboro. 

Straflford,    extinct. 

Sharon. 

Thetford  and  Fairlee,  1st,  extinct,  1797. 

Norwich,  extinct,  1805. 

Fairfax. 

1793. 

Georgia  Plain. 
Halifax,  2nd,  extinct,  1885. 
West  Dummerston. 
Strafford,  Free  Baptist. 

1794. 

Shoreham,  extinct,  1833. 

Bristol. 

Alburg,  extinct,  1796;  reorganized,  1807, 

extinct. 
Newfane. 
Bolton. 
Canton. 

Williamstown    and    Northfield,    extinct. 
Hartland,   extinct,    1837. 
Northfield,  extinct,  1834. 

1795. 

Windsor. 

Hardwick. 

West   Cornwall. 

Kingston  and  GranAnlle,  extinct,  1811. 

Chelsea,  2nd,  extinct,  1825. 

1790. 

EastSwanUm. 

Dorset,  1st,  extinct,  1840. 

1797. 

Addison. 

Guilford,  1st,  extinct,  1840. 

1797. 

Addi-son. 

Guilford,  4tli,  extinct,  1821. 

1798. 
Westford. 

Chelsea,  extinct,  1809. 
Corinth,  Free  Baptist. 


1799. 

Stamford,  F.  B. 

Thetford    and    Fairlee,    2nd,    extinct. 

Wliiting. 

Brain  tree. 

1800. 

Randolph  and  Bethel,  extinct,  1807. 
GuiKord. 

Waterbury,  extinct,  1807. 
Barre,  extinct,  1842. 
Cabot,  Free  Baptist. 
Danville,  Free  Baptist. 
Hardwick,  Free  Baptist. 
Sheffield,  Free  Baptist. 
Springfield,  Free  Baptist. 
Tunbridge,  Free  Baptist,  extinct,  1846. 
\'ershire.  Free  Baptist. 
Walden  and  West  Danville,   Free   Bap- 
tist. 

1801. 

Fairfield,  extinct,  1858. 
Essex. 

Burke,  extmct,  1840. 
East  P^nosburg,  extinct,   1858. 
Topsham,  extinct. 
Lj-ndon,  Free  Baptist. 
Sutton    and     Weathersfield,   Free  Bap- 
tist. 

1802. 

Poultney. 

East  Poultney. 

Richford,    extinct. 

Waterford,  extinct,  1811. 

New    Haven    and    Weybridge,    extinct, 

1876. 
Pomfret,  ex-tinct,  1813. 
Waltham,  extinct,    1809. 
Sutton,  extinct. 
Washington,   Free  Baptist. 
Waterford. 

1803. 

Cavendish. 

Grafton. 

North  Springfield. 

Andover. 

West  Haven. 

West  Rupert,  extinct. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


623 


1804. 
Mount  Holly. 
Bridport,  extinct,  1877. 
Craftsbury,  extinct,  1827. 

1805. 

Cambridge,  2nd,  extinct,  1860. 
Berkshire,  extinct. 
West  Windsor,  extinct,  1843. 
Calais,  Free  Baptist. 
Concord,  Free  Baptist. 
Deweysburg  and  Bamston,  in  Canada, 
Free  Baptist. 

1806. 

Wilmington. 
Rutland,  extinct,  1806. 

1807. 

Windsor,  extinct,  1843. 
Derby,  extmct,  1822. 
Charlotte. 
South  Windham. 
Hardwick. 

1808. 

Benson,  extinct,   1846. 

Winslow,  extinct,  1843. 

Johnson. 

Dorset,  extinct. 

Randolph,  extinct. 

Thetford  and  Fairlee,  3d,  extinct. 

Chester,  extinct.  Free  Baptist. 

Peacham,  Free  Baptist. 

Bradford,  Free  Baptist. 

Whitingham. 

1809. 

Williamstown,   extinct,   1845. 
Coventry,  extinct,  1860. 
Middlebury,  extinct,  1852. 
Concord,   extinct,   1816. 
Plainfield,  extinct. 

1810. 
Warren. 
Hinesburg. 
East  Enosburg. 
Calais,  extinct. 
Milton,   extinct,   1849. 


1810. 

East  Randolph,  Free  Baptist. 

1811. 

Lunenburg,    extinct. 
Londonderry. 

Morristown,  extinct,   1835. 
Winhall,  extinct,  1845. 
Townshend,  extinct,  1845. 

1812. 

Passumpsic. 

Arlington,  extinct,   1843. 

East  Bethel. 

Saxtons  River. 

West  Clarendon,  extinct,  1856. 

Readsboro,  extinct,  1845. 

St.  Johnsbury. 

Montpelier,  Free  Baptist. 


Groton. 


1813. 


1814. 


East  Dover. 

1815. 
Newark,  Free  Baptist. 

1816. 

Colchester. 

Ferrisburg,    extinct,    1864. 

Kingston  and  Hancock,   extinct,   1836. 

Irasburg,  extinct,   1864. 

1817. 

Jericho. 

Newport. 

Fletcher,   extinct,    1845. 

Troy,  extinct. 

Duxbiuy,  Free  Baptist. 

Hinesbm-g,  Free  Baptist. 

Shelbume,  Free  Baptist. 

1818. 

Dummerston,  extinct,  1847. 


624 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


Stowe,    extinct. 

St.  Johnsbury,  Free  Baptist. 

1819. 

Stratton,  extinct,  1847. 
Greensboro,    extinct,    1831. 
Waterbury,    extinct. 
Stowe,  Free  Baptist. 
Waterbury',  Free  Baptist. 

1820. 

Warren  and  Roxbury,  extinct. 
Stockbridge,     extinct,      1847. 
Montgomery. 
Waterville,  extinct,  1833. 
Middlesex,  Free  Baptist. 
Woodbury,  Free  Baptist. 

1821. 

Jericho,   Free  Baptist. 
Morgan,  Free  Baptist. 
Roxbury,  Free  Baptist. 
Starksboro,  Free  Baptist. 
Windsor,  Free  Baptist. 

1822. 

Groton,  Free  Baptist. 
Richmond,  Free  Baptist. 


1827. 


Rutland. 


1823. 


1824. 


Derby. 

Woodworth,  Free  Baptist. 

1825. 

Ludlow,  extinct,  1837. 
Famham,  Free  Baptist. 

1826. 

Danby,  extinct. 
HanccK-k,    extinct. 
Pawlet,  2nd,  exiinct,  1848. 
Bakersfiekl,  Free  Baptist. 
St.  Albans,  Free  Baptist. 


Townshend. 
Richford,    extinct. 
Bennington. 

1827. 

South  Enosbm-g,  Free  Baptist. 
Worcester,  Free  Baptist. 

1828. 

W^illiston,   extinct. 

North  Fairfax,  extinct,  1890. 

Leverett,  Free  Baptist. 

1829. 
Newport,  Free  Baptist. 

1830. 

Rochester,   extinct. 
Wallmgford,   2nd,  extinct,    1861. 
Enosburg  Falls,  extinct,  1858. 

1831. 

Craftsbury-,  2nd,  ex-tinct,  1840. 
East  Ilardwick. 
FrankHn,  ex-tinct,  1841. 
W'estfield,  extinct. 
Dover,  Free  Baptist. 
Dummerston,  Free  Baptist. 
GuiKord,  Free  Baptist. 
Halifax,  Free  Baptist. 
Whitingham,  Free  Baptist. 

1832. 

Albany. 

Fairfield,  2nd,  exlinct,  1876. 
Plainfield,  extinct,  1852. 
Guildhall  extinct,  1836. 
Random,  Free  Baptist. 
WTieelock,  Free  Baptist. 
Charleston,  Free  Baptist. 
Himtington,  3rd,  Free  Baptist. 
Underhill,   Free  Baptist. 
Lincoln,  Free  Baptist. 
Hinesburg,  Free  Baptist. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAl  TISTS  IN  VERMONT 


625 


1833. 

Tinmouth,  extinct,  1839. 

Shrewsbury,  extinct,  186.5. 

Lyndon,  extinct. 

Marshfield  and  Plainfidd,  extinct,  1898. 

Huntington,2nd. 

Danby,  extinct,  1840. 

Topsham,  Free  Baptist. 

Berlin,   extinct,   I860,   Re.,   1882,    Free 

Baptist. 
MoretowTi,  Free  Baptist. 
Corinth,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
Mount  Holly,  Free  Baptist. 
West  Wardsboro,  Free  Baptist. 
Hog  Island,  Free  Baptist. 
Alburg,  Free  Baptist. 

1834. 

Burlington. 

East  Roxbury,  extinct,  1852. 

West  Roxbiuy,  extinct,  1847. 

Rochester,  2nd,  extinct,  1843. 

Dresden,  Free  Baptist. 

Newbury,  Free  Baptist. 

West  Brookfield,  Free  Baptist. 

Brighton,  Free  Baptist. 

Lyndon,    organized    1801;    reorganized, 

1834,  Free  Baptist. 
Woodbury,  organized  1820;  reorganized, 

1834^  Free  Baptist. 

1835. 

Sterling,  extinct,  1846. 

Felchville. 

Ludlow. 

Perkins  ville. 

Waitsfield,  extinct,  1849. 

Granville,  Free  Baptist. 

East  Williamstown,  Free  Baptist. 

Bolton,  Recker  Hill,  Free  Baptist. 

1836. 

Caldwell,  Free  Baptist. 
Danby,  Free  Baptist. 

1837. 

Union  Village,  extinct,  1848. 

Middlesex,  extinct. 

Weston. 

Sutton,|2nd,  Free  Baptist. 


Sheffield,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
West  Fairlee,  Free  Baptist. 
Orange,  2nd,  extinct,  1853;  reorganized, 

1859,  Free  Baptist. 
Danburj',  Free  Baptist. 
Starksboro,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

1838. 

Barre  and  Plainfield,  extinct. 

1839. 

Woodstock. 
Glover,  Free  Baptist. 
Wheelock,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
East  Roxbury,  Free  Baptist. 
Groton,   Free   Baptist. 
Johnsburg,  Free  Baptist. 
Underbill,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
Huntington,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
Warren,  Free  Baptist. 

1840. 

Morristown,  extinct,   1864. 

Brattleboro. 

Plymouth,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

Montpelier,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

Newark,  organized,  1815. 

1841. 

Pittsford  Center. 
Randolph,  extinct,  1845. 
Charlestown,    extinct,   1847. 
Waterford,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
Danvdlle,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 
Kirby,  Free  Baptist. 
Coventry,  Free  Baptist. 
East  Famham,  Free  Baptist. 
Waterbury  Center,  Free  Baptist. 
2nd  Enosburg,  Free  Baptist. 
Minerva  Branch,  Free  Baptist. 

1842. 

Brookfield,  extinct,  1870. 
Middletown,  Free  Baptist. 
Plymouth,  Free  Baptist. 
Monroe,  Free  Baptist. 
Ludlow,  Free  Baptist. 
Orleans,  Free  Baptist. 
Tunbridge  Center,  Frtee  Baptist. 


626 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


1843. 

StoWe,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

Bridgewater  and  Plymouth,  Free  Bap- 
tist. 

East    Tunbridge,    extinct,    1846,    Free 
Baptist. 

Hadley,  Free  Baptist. 

Elmore,  temporarily.  Free  Baptist. 

1844. 

West  Craftsbury,  Free  Baptist. 
Morristown,   Free  Baptist. 
North  Bennington, 
Bloomfield,  extinct,  1870. 

1845. 

Albany,  Free  Baptist. 

Fletcher,  extinct,  1902. 

Danville,  North  District,  Free  Baptist. 

Lyndon,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

Lyndon  Center,  Free  Baptist. 

Berkshire,   Free  Baptist. 

Goshen  Gore,  Free  Baptist. 

1846. 

Lowell,  Free  Baptist. 
Wolcott,  Free  Baptist. 
Colebrook,  Free  Baptist. 
Andover,  temporary.  Free  Baptist. 
Hancock,  Free  Baptist. 
Lowell. 


1848. 


Day,  Free  Baptist. 

1849. 

West  Roxbm-y  and  Northfield,  extinct, 
1864. 

1850. 

North  Troy. 

Hydeville. 

Rice  Hill,  Free  Baptist. 

Middlesex,  2nd,  Free  Baptist. 

1851. 

Montgomery,   French,   extinct,    1874. 
Bakersfield,  Free  Baptist. 


1852. 

Mclndoe  Falls,  extinct,  1858. 
Vershire,    extinct,    1877. 
West  Pawlet. 
Craftsbm-y,  Free  Baptist. 

1853. 

Richford,  French,  extinct. 
Halifax,  extinct,  1885. 

1854. 

Bellows  Falls. 
Milton,  2nd,  extinct. 

1856. 
Stowe,  West  Branch,  Free  Baptist. 

1858. 
Wolcott,  West  Branch,  Free  Baptist. 

1859. 

Topsham,  2d,  exlinct. 
West  Berlin,  Free  Baptist. 

1860. 

Irasburg,   Free   Baptist. 
Newport  Center,  Free  Baptist. 
Westmore,  Free  Baptist. 
Jonesville,  Free  Baptist. 

1861. 

East  Wallingford,  the  Wallingford,  2nd, 

reorganized  in  new  place. 
Bolton,  reorganized.  Free  Baptist. 
Craftsbm-y,  Free  Baptist. 
South  Barton,  Free  Baptist. 

1864. 
West  Charleston,  Free  Baptist. 

1865. 
Montpelier. 

1866. 

Montgomery. 
St.   Albans. 


East  Franklin. 
Fairhaven. 


Vergennes. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 

1867.  1878. 

Plymouth,  Free  Baptist. 
1879. 


627 


1868. 


1870. 


Readsboro. 
Middlebury. 
Essex  Junction. 


Waterbury     di\-ided,     W.    Center,     W.       Pntnev 


River,  Free  Baptist. 
Cambridge,  Free  Baptist. 
Fayston,   Free   Baptist. 
Morristown  Center,  Free  Baptist. 
Brownington,  Free  Baptist. 
South  Starksboro,  Free  Baptist. 

1871. 

East  Haven,  Free  Baptist. 
Stannard    and     West   Wheelock,     Free 
Baptist. 


West  Bolton. 
Jay. 


West  Rutland. 


South  Barton. 


Richford. 


Newport. 


1872. 


187,S. 


1874. 


Barre. 


Heartwellville. 

Norton. 

Websterville. 


West  Brattleboro. 
Morristown,  Free  Baptist. 
St.  Johnsbury. 


1883. 


1884. 


1887. 


1889. 


1907. 


1908. 


West  Derby. 
Newport  Center. 


1910. 


ROLL   OF    BAPTIST  AND    FREE   BAPTIST    CHURCHES 
ALPHABETICALLY  ARRANGED 


Addison,  1797. 

Albany,  1832;  extinct,  1910. 

Albany,  Free  Baptist,  1845. 

Alburg,  1794;  extinct,  1796;  reorganized, 
1807,  extinct. 

Alburg,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 

Andover,  1803. 

Andover,  Free  Baptist,  1846,  tem- 
porarily. 

Arlington,  1812;  extinct,  1843. 

Athens,  1783;  extinct,  1798. 

Bakersfield,  1826,   Free   Baptist. 

Barton  South,  Free  Baptist,  1861. 

Barre,  1800;  extinct,  1842. 

Barreand  Plainfield,  1838;  extinct,  1850. 

Barre,  1889. 

Bellows  FaUs,  1854. 

Bennington,  1827. 

Bennington,  North,  1844. 

Benson,  1808;  extinct,  1846. 

Berkshire,  1805;  extinct,  1813. 

Berkshire  2nd,  1817;  extinct,  1889. 

Berkshire,  Free  Baptist,  1845. 

Berlin,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 

Berlin,  West,  Free  Baptist,  1859. 

Bethel,  East,  1812. 

Bloomfield,  1844,  extmct. 

Bolton,  1794;  no  further  record. 

Bolton,  West,  1883. 

Bolton,  Free  Baptist,  1861. 

Bolton,  Becker's  Hill,  Free  Baptist, 
1835. 

Bradford,  Free  Baptist,  1805. 

Braintree,  1799. 

Brattleboro,  1840. 

Brattleboro,   West,    1874. 

Bridport,  1804;  extinct,  1877. 

Bridgewater  and  Plymouth,  Free  Bap- 
tist, 1843. 

Brighton,  Free  Baptist,  1834. 

Bristol,  1794. 

Brookfield,  1842;  extinct,  1870. 

Brookfield,  West,  Free  Baptist,  1834. 

Brookline,  1785. 

Burke,  1801;  extinct,  1840. 


Burlington,  1834. 

Cabot,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 

Calais,  Free  Baptist,  1805. 

Calais,  1810;  extinct. 

Caldwell,  Free  Baptist,  1836. 

Cambridge,  1791;  extinct,  1801. 

Cambridge,  2nd,  1805;  extinct,  1860. 

Cambridge,  Free  Baptist,  1870. 

Cavendish,  1803. 

Charleston,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 

Charleston,  1841. 

Charleston,  Free  Baptist,  1864. 

Charlotte,  1807. 

Chelsea,  1795;  extinct,  1825. 

Chelsea,  2nd,  1798;  extinct,  1809. 

Chester,  1789. 

Chester,  Free  Baptist,  1808. 

Clarendon,  West,  1785;  extinct,  1802. 

Clarendon,  East,  1786;  extinct,  1832. 

Clarendon,  West,  1812;  extinct,  1856. 

Colchester,   1816. 

Colebrook,  Free  Baptist,  1846. 

Concord,  Free  Baptist,  1805. 

Corinth,  1782;  extinct. 

Corinth,  Free  Baptist,  1798. 

Corinth,  2nd,  1833. 

Cornwall,  West,  1795. 

Coventry,  1809;  extinct,  1860. 

Coventry,  Free  Baptist,  1845. 

Craftsbury,  1804;  extinct,  1827. 

Craftsbury,  2nd,  1831;  extinct,  1840. 

Craftsbury,  West,  Free  Baptist,  1844. 

Craftsbury,  Free  Baptist,  1861. 

Danby,  1st,  1781;  extinct,  1808. 
Danby,  1826;  extinct. 
Danby,  1833;  extinct,  1840. 
Danby,  1836,  Free  Baptist. 
Danbury,  Free  Baptist,  1837. 
Danville,  1790;  extinct,  1843. 
Danville,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 
Danville,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1841. 
Danville,  North  District,  Free  Baptist, 

1845. 
Day,  Free  Baptist,  1848. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


629 


Derby,  1807;  extinct,  1822. 

Derby,  1824. 

Derby,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1870. 

Derby,  West,  1898. 

Dorset,  1st,  1795;  extinct,  1840. 

Dorset,  1808;  extinct. 

Dover,  East,  1814. 

Dover,  Free  Baptist,  1831. 

Dresden,  Free  Baptist,  1834. 

Dummerston,  1818;  extinct,  1847. 

Dummerston,  1831,  Free  Baptist. 

Dummerston,  West,  1793. 

Duxbury,  Free  Baptist,  1817. 


Elmore,  Free  Baptist,  1843. 

Essex,  1801. 

Essex  Jmiction,    1879. 

Enosburg,  East,  1810;  extinct,  1858. 

Enosburg,  South,  Free  Baptist,  1827. 

Enosburg  Falls,  1830;  extinct,  1858. 

Enosburg  (consolidated)  1858. 

Fairfax,  1792. 

Fairfax,  North,  1828;  extinct,  1890. 
Fairfield,  1801;  extinct,  1858. 
Fairfield,  2nd,  1832;  extinct,  1876. 
Fairhaven,   1867. 
Fairlee,  West,  Free  Baptist,  1848. 
Famham,  Free  Baptist,  1825. 
Famham,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1841. 
Fayston,  1870,  Free  Baptist. 
Ferrisburg,   1816;  extinct,   1864. 
Fletcher,  1817;  extinct,  1845. 
Fletcher,  1845;  extinct,  1902. 
Franklm,  1831;  extinct,  1841. 
Franklin,  East,  1867. 

Georgia  Plain,  1793. 

Glover,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Goshen  Gore,  Free  Baptist,  1843. 

Grafton,  1803. 

Granville,  Free  Baptist,  1835. 

Groton,  1813. 

Groton,  Free  Baptist,  1822. 

Groton,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Greensboro,  1819;  extinct,  1831. 

Guildhall,  1832;  extinct,  1836. 

Guilford,  1780;  extinct,  1826. 

Guilford,  2nd,  1781;  extinct,  1800. 

Guilford,  3d,  1782;  extinct,  1800. 

Guilford,  4th,  1797;  extinct,  1821. 

Guilford,  1800. 

Guilford,  Free  Baptist,  1831. 


Halifax,  1793;  extinct,  1885. 

Halifax,   1853;  extinct,    1885,   the  two 

churches  uniting. 
Halifax,  Free  Baptist,  1831. 
Hadley,  Free  Baptist,  1843. 
Hancock,  1826;  extinct. 
Hancock,  Free  Baptist,  1846. 
Hardwick,  1791;  extinct,  1811. 
Hardwick,   1795. 
Hardwick,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 
Hardwick,  1807. 
Hardwick,  East,  1831. 
Hartford,  1789;  extinct,  1846. 
Hartland,  1789;  extinct. 
Hartland,  1794;  extmct,  1837. 
Heartwellville,  1907. 
Hmesburg,    1810. 
Hinesburg,  Free  Baptist,  1817. 
Hinesburg,  1832,  Free  Baptist. 
Hog  Island,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 
Hubbardton,  East,   1787. 
Huntington,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 
Huntington,  1833. 
Huntington,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Ira,  1783. 

Irasburg,  1816;  extinct,  1864. 

Irasburg,  Free  Baptist,  1860. 

Jamaica,   1790. 

Jay,  1883. 

Jericho,  1817. 

Jericho,  Free  Baptist,  1821. 

Johnson,  1808. 

Johnsburg,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Jonesville,  Free  Baptist,  1860. 

Kingston  and  Granville,  1795;  extinct, 

1811. 
Kingston  and  Hancock,  1816;  extinct, 

1836. 
Kirby,  Free  Baptist,  1841. 

Leicester,  1786,  extinct. 
Leverett,  Free  Baptist;  1828. 
Lincoln,  Free  Baptist,  1836. 
Londonderry,  1811. 
Ludlow,  1825. 
Ludlow,  1835. 
Ludlow,  Free  Baptist,  1842. 
Limenburg,  1811,  extinct. 
Lyndon,  Free  Baptist,  1801. 
Lyndon,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1845. 
Lyndon  Center,  Free  Baptist,  1845. 


Halifax,  1783;  extinct,  1792. 


Marshfield    and   Plainfield,    1833;    ex- 


630 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


tinct,  1898. 

Mclndoe  Falls,  1852;  extinct,  1858. 

Middletown  Springs,  1784. 

Middletown,  Free  Baptist,  1842. 

Middlebury,  1809;  extinct,  1852;  re- 
organized, 1879. 

Middlesex,  Free  Baptist,  1820. 

Middlesex,  1837,  extinct. 

Middlesex,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1850. 

Milton,  1810;  extinct,  1840. 

Milton,  2nd,  1854;  extinct. 

Minerva  Branch,  Free  Baptist,  1841. 

Monroe,  Free  Baptist,  1842. 

Montgomery,  1820. 

Montgomery,  French,  1851;  extinct, 
1874. 

Montpelier,  Free  Baptist,  1812. 

Montpelier,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1840. 

Montpelier,  1865. 

Moretown,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 

Morristown,  1811;  extinct,  1835. 

Morristown,  1840;  extinct,  1864. 

MorristowTi,  Free  Baptist,  1844. 

Morristown,  Free  Baptist,  1874. 

Morristown  Center,  Free  Baptist,  1870. 

Morgan,  Free  Baptist,  1821. 

Mount  Holly,  1804. 

Mount  Holly,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 

Newark,   Free  Baptist,    1815;   extinct, 

reorganized,  1840. 
Newbury,  Free  Baptist,  1834. 
Newfane,  1799. 

Newhaven  and   Weybridge,    1802;   ex- 
tinct, 1876. 
Newport,  1817. 
Newport,  Free  Baptist,  1829. 
Newport  Center,  Free  Baptist,  1860. 
Newport  Center,  1910. 
Northfield,  1794;  extinct,  1834. 
Norton,  1907. 
Norwich,  1792;  extinct,  1805. 

Orange,    Free    Baptist,    1837;    extinct, 

1853;  reorganized,  1859. 
Orwell,  1787;  extinct,  1865. 

Panton,  1794. 

Passumpsic,  1812. 

Pawlet,  1790;  extinct,  1851. 

Pawlet,  2nd,  1826;  extinct,  1848. 

Pawlet,  West,  1852. 

Peacham,  Free  Baptist.  1808. 

Perkinsville,  1835. 

Pittsford,  1784;  extinct,  1831. 

Pittsford  Center,  1841. 


Plainfield,  1809;  extinct. 
Plainfield,  1832;  extinct,  1852. 
Plymouth,  Free  Baptist,  1840. 
PljTnouth,  Free  Baptist,  1878. 
Pomfret,  1802;  extinct,  1813. 
Poultney,  1802. 
Poultney,  East,  1802. 
Pownal,  1772;  extinct,  1774. 
Pownal,  1782. 

Pownal,  2nd,  1790;  extinct. 
Putney,  1787;  extinct,  1860. 
Putney,  1883. 

Randolph,  1791;  extinct,  1841. 

Randolph  and  Bethel,  1800;  extinct. 
1801. 

Randolph,  1808;  extinct. 

Randolph,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1810. 

Randolph,  1841;  extinct,  1845. 

Random,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 

Reading,  1788;  extinct,  1834. 

Readsboro,  1812;  extinct,  1845. 

Readsboro,  1879. 

Richford,  1802;  extinct,  1851. 

Richford,  1827;  extinct,  1844. 

Richford,  1853;  disbanded  and  re- 
organized, 1872. 

Richford,  French,  1853;  extinct. 

Rice  Hill,  Free  Baptist,  1850. 

Richmond,  1783;  extinct,  1844. 

Richmond,  Free  Baptist,  1822. 

Rockingham,  1789;  extinct,  1812. 

Rochester,  1830;  extinct. 

Rochester,  2nd,  1834;  extinct,  1843. 

Roxbury,  Free  Baptist,  1821. 

Roxbury,  East,  1834;  extinct,  1852. 

Roxbury,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Roxbury,  West,  1834;  extinct,  1847. 

Roxbury,  West  and  Northfield,  1849; 
extinct,  1864. 

Royalton,  1784;  extinct,  1807. 

Rupert,  West,  1803;  extinct,  1878. 

Rutland,  1806;  extinct,  1809. 

Rutland,  1823. 

Rutland,  West,  1884. 

Saxtons  River,  1812. 
Shaftsbury,  1768;  extinct,  1844. 
Shaftsbury,  1780;  extinct,  1840. 
Shaftsbury,  3d,  1782;  extinct,  1798. 
Shaftsbury,  1783. 
Sharon,  1792. 

Sheffield,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 
Sheffield,  Free  Baptist,  1837. 
Shelbume,  Free  Baptist,  1817. 
Shoreham,  1794;  extinct,  1833. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


631 


Shrewsbury,  1833;  extinct,  1865. 
Somerset,  1791 ;  extinct,  1822. 
Springfield,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 
Springfield,  North,  1803. 
Stamford,  Free  Baptist,  1799. 
Stannard   and    WTieelock,    West,    Free 

Baptist,  1871. 
Starksboro,  1821,  Free  Baptist. 
Starksboro,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1837. 
Starksboro,  South,  Free  Baptist,  1870. 
Sterling,  1835;  extinct,  1846. 
Stowe,  1818;  extinct. 
Stowe,  Free  Baptist,  1819. 
Stowe,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1843. 
Stowe,  West  Branch,  Free  Baptist,  1856. 
Stockbridge,  1820;  extinct,  1847. 
St.  Albans,  Free  Baptist,  1826. 
St.  Albans,  1856. 
St.  Johnsbury,  1812;  extinct. 
St.  Johnsbury,  Free  Baptist,  1818. 
St.  Johnsbury,  1874. 
Strafford,  1792;  extinct,  1794. 
Strafford,  1793,  Free  Baptist. 
Stratton,  1819;  extinct,  1847. 
Sutton,  1802;  extinct. 
Sutton  and  Weathersfield,  Free  Baptist, 

1801. 
Sutton,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1837. 
Swanton,  East,  1795. 

Thetford,  1789;  extinct. 

Thetford  and  Fairlee,  1792;  extinct, 
1797. 

Thetford  and  Fairlee,  2nd,  1799;  ex- 
tinct. 

Thetford  and  Fairlee,  3d,  1808;  ex- 
tinct. 

Tinmouth,  1833;  extinct,  1839. 

Topsham,  1801;  extinct. 

Topsham,  Free  Baptist,  1833. 

Topsham,  2nd,  1859;  extinct. 

Townshend,  1811;  extinct,  1845. 

Townshend,  1827. 

Troy,  1817;  extinct. 

Troy,  North,  1850. 

Tunbridge,  1800. 

Tunbridge,    Free  Baptist,  1800. 

Tunbridge  Center,  Free  Baptist,  1842. 

Tunbridge,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1843. 

ITnderhill,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 
Underbill,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 
Union  Village,  1837;  extinct,  1848. 

Vershire,  Free  Baptist,  1800. 
Vershire,  1852;  extinct,  1877. 


Vergennes,  1868. 


Waitsfield,  1825;  extinct,  1849. 
Walden  and  West  Danville,  Free  Bap- 
tist,   1800;   reorganized,    1840;  ex- 
tinct, 1880. 
Wallhigford,  1780. 
Wallingford,  2nd,  1830;  extinct,  1860. 

Waltham,  1803;  extinct,  1809. 

Wardsboro,  West,  1792. 

Warren,  1810,  Free  Baptist. 

Warren  and  Roxbury,  1820;  extinct. 

Warren,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Washington,  Free  Baptist,  1802. 

Waterbury,  1800;  extinct,  1807. 

Waterbury,  1819. 

Waterbury,  Free  Baptist,  1819. 

Waterbury  Center,  Free  Baptist,  1841. 

Waterbury  (divided)  1870. 

Waterford,  1802;  extinct,  1811. 

Waterville,  1820;  extinct,  1833. 

Websterville,  1907. 

Westford,  1798. 

Westfield,  1831;  extinct. 

Westhaven,  1803. 

Westminster,  1782;  extinct,  1810. 

Westmore,  Free  Baptist,  1860. 

Weston,  1837. 

Wheelock,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 

Wheelock,  2nd,  1839,  Free  Baptist. 

Whitingham,  1808. 

Whitingham,  Free  Baptist,  1831. 

Whiting,  1799. 

Williamstown    and    Northfield,     1794; 
extinct. 

WilliamstowTi,  Free  Baptist,  1832. 

Williamstown,  2nd,  Free  Baptist,  1839. 

Williamsto-mi,  East,  Free  Baptist,  1835. 

Williston,  1828;  extinct. 

Windham,  South,  1807. 

Windsor,  1795. 

Windsor,  West,  1805;  extinct,  1843. 

Windsor,  1807;  extinct,  1843. 

Windsor,  Free  Baptist,  1821. 

Winhall,  1811:  extinct,  1845. 

Winslow,  1808;  extinct,  1843. 

Woodbury,    Free   Baptist,    1820;    reor- 
ganized, 1834. 

Woodworth,  Free  Baptist,  1824. 

Woodstock,  1780;  extinct. 

Woodstock,  1789;  extinct. 

Woodstock,  1839;  extinct. 

Wollcott,  Free  Baptist,  1846. 

Wollcott,  West  Branch,  1853. 

Worcester,  1827,  Free  Baptist. 


LIST  OF  EXTINCT  CHURCHES  CHRONOLOGICALLY 
ARRANGED 


1786     Leicester. 

1790-1800, 

1792  Strafford. 

1793  Cambridge  1st. 

1795  Bolton. 

1796  Albany,    Bradford. 

1797  Thetford  and  Fairiee  1st;  Thet- 

ford  and  Fairiee  2nd. 

1798  Athens,  Shaftsbury  3d,  E.  Burke, 

Marshfield  and  Plainfield. 

1800-1810. 

1800  Danby,   Guilford   2nd,    Guilford 
3d,  Tunbridge. 

1802  W.  Clarendon,  Topsham. 

1803  West  Rupert. 

1804  Washington. 

1805  Vernon,  Norwich. 

1806  Westfield. 

1807  Randolph  and  Bethel. 

1807  Waterbury. 

1808  Randolph   organized. 

1809  Rutland,  Waltham,  Chelsea. 

1810-1820. 

1810  Calais,  Dorset  2nd. 

1811  Kingston  and  Granville,  Royal- 

ton,    Lunenburg.       Waterford 
merged  in  St.  Johnsbury. 

1812  Westminster,    Rockingham. 

1813  Pomfret. 

1820-1830. 

1820     Warren  and  Roxbury, 

Guilford  4th,  Hancock. 
1822     Derby,   Somerset. 
1825     Chelsea,  2nd. 

1827  Ludlow,  Craftsbury. 

1828  Williston. 


1830-1840. 

1830  Pawlet. 

1831  Greensboro. 

1832  E.  Clarendon. 

1833  Shoreham,  Waterville. 

1834  Reading,  North6eld. 

1835  MorristowTi. 

1835  Kingston  and  Hancock,  Guild- 
hall. 

1837  Middlesex,  Hartland,  Dummers- 
ton. 

1839  Tinmouth. 

1840-1850. 

1840  Burke,  Shaftsbury  2nd,  Danby, 

Dorset,  Franklin,  Lyndon. 

1842  Barre. 

1843  Rochester,  Windsor,  W.  Windsor. 

1844  Richmond,   Richford,   Shafts- 

bury 1st. 

1845  Ferrisburg,   Fletcher,  Randolph, 

Readsboro,     Townshend     1st, 
Winhall,  Williamstown. 

1846  Benson,  Sterling,  Stowe. 

1847  Charleston,    Stockbridge,    Strat- 

ton. 

1848  Hartford,     Pawlet    2nd,     Union 

Village. 

1849  Waitsfield,  W.  Roxbury,  Milton. 

1850-1860. 

1850  Vf.  Clarendon,  Troy. 

1851  Morristown,  Richford. 

1852  Danville,  Mi<ldlebury,  Roxbury, 

Plainfield. 

1853  Burlington,    French. 

1854  Milton. 

1855  Fairfield. 

^  1858     Mclndoe  Falls. 

Enosburg  churches  united. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  BAPTISTS  IN  VERMONT 


633 


1860-1870. 


1880-1890. 


1860     Coventry,  Cambridge  2nd,  Put- 
ney. 

1864  Irasburg,   Northfield   2nd,   Rox- 

bury  and  Northfield. 

1865  Orwell,     Shrewsbury,     Walling- 

ford   2nd,   reorganized    at  E. 
Wallingford. 

1870-1880. 

1870  Brookfield. 

1871  Richford,  French. 
1874     Montgomery,  French. 

1876  Fairfield  2nd,  New  Haven  and 

Weybridge. 

1877  Bridport,  Vershire. 
1879     Sheldon. 


Halifax  2nd  and  3d  united. 


1890-1900. 


1890     N.  Fairfax. 
1898     E.  Burke. 


Fletcher. 


Lowell. 


1902. 


1906. 


LIST  OF  EXTINCT  CHURCHES  ALPHABETICALLY 
ARRANGED 

Albtjrg — Organized  in  1794,  name  not  found  in  the  minutes  after  1796. 
Athens — Organized,  1783;  extinct,  1798.   The  name  does  not  appear  in  the  minutes 

of  the  Leyden  Association,  with  which  it  would  naturally  become  connected. 

It  was  probably  merged  in  the  Brookline  church. 
Arlington — Organized,  1812,  with  fifty-three  members.     Elon  Galusha,  son  of 

Governor  Galusha,  first  preached  to  this  church.     Largest  number  reported 

in  1834,  ninety-eight;  disbanded  in  1843. 
Barre — Organized  in  1800;  disbanded  in  1842.     Lyman  Culver,  pastor  in  1839. 

Number  of  members  then,  twenty-six.     Barre  Association  formed  here  in  1807. 
Barre  and  Plainfield — Organized,  1838. 
Benson^ — Organized,  1808.     The  last  returns  we  find  from  this  church  were  in 

1846,  when  the  number  of  members  was  sixty-three,  and  H.  O.  Dyer  was 

pastor.     Robert  Patter-son  originated  here,  and  also  the  poet,  Griswold. 
Berkshire — Organized  in  1805,  with  twenty  members;  last  report,  1890. 
Bloomfield — Organized,  1844.     No  further  record  of  it. 
Bolton — Organized,  1794.     No  further  record. 
Bradford — 1796. 
Burlington  (French) — 1853. 
Bridport — Organized,   1804;  extinct,  1877.     At  one  time  the  largest  church  in 

Addison  County  Association.     E.  H.  Gray,  D.  D.,  originated  this  church. 
Brookfield — Organized  in  1842  with  twenty-four  members.     W.    W.   Lovejoy, 

pastor.     Had  only  four  members  in  1867;  extinct,  1870. 
Burke — Organized.  1801,  had  thirty-four  members  in  1839;  extinct,  1840.     Isaac 

Newell  originated  here. 
East  Burke^ — Organized,  1831;  then  called  "General  Baptist  Church";  extinct, 

1898. 
Calais — Organized,  1810.     No  further  account. 
Cambridge,  2nd^ — Organized,   1805.     Reported  forty-four  members  in  1853,  with 

Payson  Tyler,  pastor.     This  was  the  last  report  of  them  and  the  church  was 

dropped  from  the  Association  in  1860. 
Cambridge,  1st — Organized  in  1793;  dislianded,  1801. 
Charleston^ — Organized,  1841.     Dtx-s  not  seem  to  have  been  a  member  of  any 

Association.     Extinct  in  1847. 
West  Clarendon,  Ist^ — Organized,  1785.     In  1789,  Isaac  Beals  was  settled  the 

first  pastor,     lender  his  labors,  a  powerful  revival  was  enjoyed  and  amid 

much  opposition  a  large  number  were  baptized.     A  meeting-house  was  erected 

in  1798,  but  the  church  became  extinct  in  1802. 
West   Clarendon,   2nd — Organized,    1812,   with  eighty-four  members.     Daniel 

Pinkliam  was  pastor  till  1817.     Nathaniel  Colver  was  ordained  here  and  was 

pastor  four  years.     John  Peck  preached  to  them  much  of  the  time  for  some 

years,  but  the  church  became  extinct  about  1850. 
East   Clarendon- — Organized,  1786.     Wm.   Harrington,    first    pastor;   .seventeen 

members.     Great  revival  in  1805,  when  they  reported  one  himdred  and  twenty- 
three  members.     Extinct  in  1832. 
Chelse.\ — Organized  in  1798.     Extinct  before  1809. 
Chelsea,  2nd^ — Organized,  1795;  extinct  before  1825. 
Concord — Organized,  1809;  extinct,  1816. 
Coventry — Organized,   1809;  extinct,   1860.     John   Ide,   George  B.   Ide,   Alvin 

Bailey,  Gardner,  Bartlett,  Jonathan   Baldwin  Barker  went    out  from   this 

church. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT  035 

Corinth — Organized,  1783;    in    1795  Thomas   West   was  pastor.     Membership, 

eighty-eight. 
Cbaftsbury,   1st — Organized,  1804;  extinct,  1827;   weakened  by  sending  out  a 

colony  to  Greensboro  in  1819. 
Craftsbury,  2nd^ — Organized,  1831;  extinct,  1840.     Had  no  pastor. 

Danby,  1st — Organized,  1781;  extinct,  1800.  Hezekian  Eastman,  first  pastor.  Re- 
ported one  hundred  and  nine  members  in  1789. 

Derby,  1807— Disbanded,  1822,  through  difficulty. 

Danby,  2nd — Organized,  1826;  extinct,  continued  but  a  few  years.  Forty-four 
members  in   1839. 

Danville — Organized,  1790;  extinct,  1852.     Fifty-six  members  in  1843. 

Dorset,  1st — Organized,  1796;  .John  Howard,  first  pastor;  membership,  eighteen. 
C.  M.  Fuller  was  pastor  nine  years  and  the  church  numbered  over  sixty. 
Extinct  in  1840. 

Dorset,  2nd — Organized,  1808.     Continued  only  a  few  years. 

DuMMERSTON,  Ist^ — Organized,  1818;  extinct,  1837.  Had  seventy-six  members 
in  1826.  Benjamin  Bucklin,  pastor  in  1827.  Had  one  hundred  and  fourteen 
members  in  1836. 

Dummerston.  2nd — Seceded  from  the  first  church  and  after  a  few  years  returned. 

Duxbury — We  find  no  account  of  this  church. 

ENOSBUR(i  East — Organized,  1810. 

Enosbuug  Falls — Organized,  1830. 

United  in  1858,  to  form  the  Enosburg  Consolidated.       Meetings  soon  held  in 
East  Enosburg. 

Fairfield,  1st — Organized,  1796;  extinct,  1855.  Licensed  J.  W.  Sawyer.  Associa- 
tion formed  here. 

Fairfax,  North^ — Organized,  1793;  extinct,  1890. 

Fairfield,  2nd — Organized,  1833.  From  1857  to  1862  called  Fairfield  and  Sheldcm. 
Since  Sheldon;  extinct,  1876. 

Ferrisburg — Organized,  1816;  extinct,  1845.  Licensed  John  A.  Dodge  and  J. 
P.  Hyde. 

Fletcher — Organized,  1817;  extinct,  1845.     Reorganized,  1845;  extinct,  1902. 

Franklin — Organized,  1831;  extinct  after  1841. 

Greenville — Organized.  1806.     See  Missionary  Magazine,  ^ol.  1,  p.  338. 

Greensboro — Organized,  1819;  disbanded  on  account  of  difficulty,  1831.  Merged 
into  the  Hardwick  church. 

Guildhall — Organized,  1832;  disbanded,  1836. 

Guilford — Organized,  1780,  dissolved  in  1826.     In  Southern  corner. 

Guilford,  2nd — Organized,  1781;  dissolved  in  1800. 

Guilford  3rd — Organized,  1782;  dissolved,  1800.  Never  associated.  No  meeting- 
ht)use. 

Guilford.  4th — Organized,  1797.  Dissolved,  1821,  vicinity  Green  River.  Ben- 
jamin Bucklin,  the  only  pastor. 

Halifax — Organized,  1783;  dissolved,  1792;  ordained  Obed  Warren,  1786. 

Halifax,  2nd — Organized,  1793;  dissolved,  1885. 

Halifax,  3rd — Organized,  1853;  dissolved,  1885;  second  and  third  churches  united. 

Hancock — Organized  before  1826;  extinct. 

Hardwick — Organized.  1797;  dissolved,  1801;  ordained  Amos  Tuttle,  only  pastor. 

Hartford — Organized,  1789;  extinct,  1848. 

Hartland — Organized,  1794;  extinct,  1837. 

Ir.\sburg^ — Organized,  1816;  extinct,  1864.  E.  R.  Kellum  and  D.  W.  Borroughs 
licensed  here. 

Kingston  and  Granville — Organized,  1795;  extinct,  1811. 

Leicester — Organized,  1786;  extinct. 

Kingston  .^^^nd  Hancock — Organized,  1816;  extinct,  1836. 


636  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

Londonderry — A  second  church  existed  here  for  a  few  years. 

Lunenburg— Organized,  1811;  extinct. 

Ludlow — Organized,  1825;  disbanded,  1837. 

Lowell — Organized,  1846;  extinct,   1906. 

Lyndon^ — Organized,  1833;  extinct  before  1842. 

Marshfield  and  Plainfield — Organized,  1833;  united  with  Plainfield  and  called 
Plainfield  and  Marsh6eld,  1852;  extinct,  1898. 

Middlebury — Organized,  1809;  extinct,  1852.  First  pastor,  Nathaniel  Kendrick, 
1810-1817. 

McIndoe  Falls- — Organized,  1852;  extinct,  1858. 

Middlesex — Organized,  1837. 

Milton,  1st— Organized,  1810;  extinct,  1849. 

Milton,  2nd — Organized,  1854. 

Montgomery,  (French) — Organized,  1851;  extinct,  1874. 

MoRRiSTOWN^ — Organized,  1811;  extinct,  1835. 

MoRRiSTOWN,  2nd — Organized,  1840;  extinct,  1851. 

New  Haven  and  Weybridge — Organized,  1802;  extinct,  1876. 

Northfield — Organized,  1794;  extinct,  1834. 

Northfield,  2nd — Organized,  1849;  extinct,  1864. 

Norwich — Organized,  1792;  extinct,  1805. 

Orwell — Organized,  1787;  extinct,  1865. 

Pawlet,  1st — Organized,  1790;  extinct,  1831.  Solomon  Brown,  Timothy  Brews- 
ter, Daniel  Haskall,  Lemon  Andrews  were  licensed  here. 

Pawlet,  2nd — Organized,  1826;  dissolved,  1848;  spring  from  the  First  church 
because  that  was  unassociated.  In  1852,  a  new  church  was  formed  to  which 
most  of  the  members  of  the  second  church  seem  to  have  united. 

PiTTSFORD — Organized,  1784;  extinct,  1841. 

Plainfield — Organized,  1833.  (1809  according  to  Miss  Heminway's  Gazetteer) 
united  with  the  church  in  Marshfield  in  1852. 

PowNAL,  1st — Organized,  1772;  extinct;  reorganized,  1782. 

Pownal,  2nd — Organized,  1790,  was  unassociated  and  had  only  a  brief  existence. 
Was  in  the  Northwestern  part  of  the  town.  Francis  Bennet,  the  only  pastor. 
Not  known  when  it  became  extinct. 

PoMFRET — Organized,  1802;  extinct,  1873. 

Putney,  1st— Organized,  1787;  extinct,  1860;  N.  Cudworth  was  licensed  here. 

Randolph — Organized,  1841;  extinct,  1845.  (Miss  Heminway's  History  Gazetteer). 
Organized,  1791;  disbanded,  1841. 

Randolph,  Bethel— Organized,  1800;  extinct,  1807. 

Randolph^ — Organized,  1808;  extinct. 

Reading — Organized,  1788;  estinct,  1834. 

Readsboro — Organized,  1812;  extinct,  1845. 

RiCHFORD  (French) — Organized,  1853;  extinct,  1871. 

RiCHFORD — Organized,  1802;  extinct,  1851.  Wm.  Rogers,  its  only  pastor,  forty- 
seven  years. 

RiCHFORi> — Organized,  1827;  extinct,  1844. 

Richmond — Organized  before  1783;  extinct,  1844.  Richmond  Conference  organ- 
ized here. 

Richford  3rd — Organized,  1853;  disbanded,  1872;  and  reorganize  present  fourth 
Richford. 

Rochester — Organized,  1830. 

Rochester,  2nd — Organized,  1834;  extinct,  1843. 

RocKiNGH.VM^ — Organized,  1789;  extinct,  1812.  Probably  its  members  united  with 
the  Saxtons  River  church. 

RoYALTON — Organized,  1784;  extinct,  1811.  (1810  reported  fourteen  members. 
H.  C.) 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT  C37 

RoxBURY,  East— Organized,  1834;  extinct,  1852. 

RoxBUBY,  West— Organized,   1834;  extinct,   1849.     United  with  the  Northfield 

church. 
Rupert,  West — Organized,  1803. 

Rutland — Organized  at  Gookm's  Falls,  1806;  dissolved,  1809. 
St.  Johnsbury- — In  existence  1818. 

Shaftsbury,  1st— Organized,  1768;   dissolved,  1844;     reorganized  at  North  Ben- 
nington the  same  year. 
Shaftsbury,  2nd^ — Organized,  1780;  dissolved,  1840. 
Shaftsbury,  3rd — Organized,  1782;    dissolved,  1798.      "Salisbury  church,"  un- 

associated. 
Sheldon — Organized,  1762;  extinct,  1879. 
Shrewsbury— Organized,  1833;  extinct,  1865. 
Somerset — Organized,  1791;  (lroi)i)ed  from  the  Association  for  open  communion 

in   1822. 
Shoreham^ — Organiz(>(l,  1794;  extinct  in  1833.     Never  had  a  meeting-house.     E.  B. 

Smith  was  converted  here  and  became  a  member  of  this  church. 
Sterling — Organized,  1833;  extinct,  1846. 
Stockbridge — Organized,  1820;  extinct,  1847. 
Stowe — Organized  before  1818;  extinct,  1846. 
Strafford — Organized,  1792. 
Stratton — Organized,  1819;  extinct,  1847. 
Sutton — Organized  Ijefore  1802. 
Thetford — Organized,  1789;  united  with  Fairlee. 
Thetford  and  Fairlee,  1st — Organized,  1792;  extinct,  1797. 
Thetford  and  Fairlee,  2nd — Organized,  1799. 
Thetford  and  Fairlee,  3rd — Organized,  1808;  extinct,  1880. 
Tinmouth — Organized,  1833;  extinct,  1839. 
Townshend  1st,  West  Village — Organized,  1811;  extinct,  184j.     Hiram  A.  (naves, 

for  many  years  editor  of  "  Tlie  Reflector,"'  was  converted  and  baptized  here. 
Topsham,  1st — Organized,  1802. 
Topsha.m  2nd — Organized,  1859. 
Troy — Organizeti,  1818.     There  was  a  church  here,  which  in  1843  reported  one 

hundred  and  twenty-two  members;  extinct,  1850. 
TuNBRiDGE — Organized.  1800. 
Union  Village^ — Organized,  1837;  extinct,  1848. 
Vernon — Organized,  1803;  extinct,  1805. 
Vershire — Organized,  1852;  extinct,  1897. 
Waitsfield — Organized,  1835;  extinct,  1849. 
Walden — 
Wallingford,    2nd — Organized,    1830.      Disbanded   in    1861,   organized    as   the 

church  in  East  Wallingford. 
Waltham— Organized.  1803;  extinct,  1809. 
Wardsboro,  East — Organized,  1792. 
Warren  and  Roxbury — Organized,  1820. 
Washington — Organized,  1804. 
W.\terford — Organized,    1802;    dissolved,    1811.     Sprung    from    the    Hartland 

church  and  merged  into  the  St.  Johnsbury  and  Waterford  church. 
Waterbury — Organized,  1800,  with  eight  members;  dissolved,  1807. 
Westfield — Organized,  1806.     See  Missionary  Magazine,  Vol.  1.  p.  338. 
Westfield — Organized,  1831. 
Westminster — Organized,  1782;  dissolved,  1812.     Partly  merged  in  the  Saxtons 

River  church. 
West  Windsor — Organized,  1805;  extinct,  1843. 
West  Roxbury  and  Northfield — Organized,  1849;  extinct,  1864. 
Williamstown — Organized,  1809  or  1814;  extinct,  1845. 


638  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

WiLLiAMSTOWN  AND  NoRTHFiELi> — A  cliurch  was  Organized  here  in  1794,  which 

seems  to  have  become  extinct  as  another  was  organized  under  the  same  name 

in  1834,  which  is  also  extinct. 
WiLLisTON — Organized,  1828;  extinct.     The  mother  of  the  Burlington  church. 
WiNHALL — Organized,  1811;  extinct,  1845. 
WiNDSOR^ — Organized,  1807;  extinct,  1843. 
Woodstock — Two  churches  have  existed  here.     The  first  was  formed  before  1780 

and  belonged  for  three  years  to  the  Warren  Association.     The  second  was 

organized  in  1789.     Both  are  now  extinct. 
West  Roxbury  and  Northfield — Organized,  1849;  extinct,  1864. 
Waterbury — Organized,  1819. 
Waterville — Organized,  1823;  extinct,  1833. 

We  find  mention  made  of  churches  in  Searsburg   and  Wheelock,  but  find  no 
account  of  when  they  were  organized  or  how  long  they  existed. 


STATE  CON\'Ex\TION  COMPENDIUM 

YR.               PLACE                                MOUIO.tATCJK                               PREACHER  BAP.  MEM. 

18'2-i .  .  Brandon Ezra  Butler 

IH'ir, .  .  Bethel Isaac  Sawyer CM.  Fuller 599 

182(i .  .  Poultney Isaac  Sawyer Richard  M.  Ely ....  3S\  (i,(i'i9 

18:27 . .  Mt.  Hofly Aaron  Leland J.  Merriam 3iVZ  7,760 

182S. .  Windsor Aaron  Leland Alvah  Sabin .'iGl  0,685 

182;). .  Shaftsbury Alvah  Sabin Hadley  Proctor '584      

183U. .  Ilinesburg Alvah  Sabin Leland  Howard 711  8,083 

18J1 .  .  Ludlow Daniel  Packer Eli  B.  Smith 1,329 

1832.  .Barnet John  Ide E.  Fisher 1,597  9,289 

1833 .  .  Brandon John  Ide Jeremiah  Hall 375  10,090 

1834. .  No.  Springfield.  .Alvah  Sabin Samuel  Eastman.  .  . .      521  10,682 

1835.  .Jericho John  Ide Reuben  Sawyer 848  10,447 

18.36. .  Windsor J.  I).  Farnsworth Jos.  M.  Graves 724  10.582 

1837 .  .  Waterbury J.  I).  Farnsworth Luther  Crawford .  .  .  42.3  10,108 

18.38.  .  Mt.  Holly J.  D.  Farnsworth E.  Hutchin.son 748  10.209 

18.39 .  .  Brandon John  Ide Wm.  G.  Johnson. .. .  910  1 1,047 

1840.  . Bristol John  Ide Joseph  W.  Sawyer.  .  8(>4  11,101 

1841 .  Poultney J.  D.  Farnsworth C.  A.  Thomas 370  11,063 

1842.  Ludlow John  Ide Moses  Field 447  10„338 

1843.  .  Hinesburg Jos.  W.  Sawyer Wm.  M.  Guilford. . .  1,255  10,906 

1844 .  .  Grafton E.  Hutchinson Joseph  M.  Driver. .  154  10,092 

1845.  .  Rutland E.  Hutchinson E.  Hutchinson 101  9,000 

1846 .  .  Hardwick E.  Hutchinson Eli  B.  Smith,  D.  D.  19  '8,824 

1847 .  .  Chester E.  Hutchin.son C.  W.  Hodges 134  8,540 

1848 .  .  Whiting E.  Hutchinson Lewis  A.  Dunn 129  8,545 

1849 .  .  Windsor E.  Hutchinson H.I.  Parker 132  7,620 

1850 .  .  Townshend E.  Hutchinson Marvin  G.  Hodge. . .  310  7,653 

1851 .  .  Fairfax J.  D.  Farnsworth Joseph  C.  Foster. ...  199  7,326 

1852.  Hydeville Alvah  Sabin John  Goadby 90  7,12>' 

1853 .  .  Brandon Alvah  Sabin Lucian  Hayden 178  7,751 

1854 .  .  No.  Bennington .  Lucian  Hayden C.  A.  Thomas,  D.  D.  435  7,849 

1855 .  .  Addison Lucian  Hayden E.  B.  Smith,  D.    D .  199  7,473 

1856 .  .  Shaftsbury S.  L.  Elliott Ira  Pearson 313  7,520 

1857.  .  Mt.  Holly E.  Hutchinson N.  W.  Smith 267  7,413 

1858 .  .  Windsor Ryland  Fletcher S.  L.  Elliott 621  7,821 

1859 .  .  Rutland Ryland  Fletcher Alvah  Sabin 412  8,097 

1860.  .  Fairfax E.  B.  Smith,  D.  D.. . .  H.  Fletcher,  D.  D...  302  8,263 

1861 .  .  Factory  Point. . .  Ira  Pearson N.  Cudworth 232  8,374 

1862.  Burlington Jos.  Freeman,  D.  D..    A.  Norcross 190  8,309 

1863.  Ludlow H.  Fletcher,  D.  D N.  P.  Foster,  M.  D.  202  8,431 

1864    .  Poultney N.  P.  Foster,  M.  D.. .  .J.  Upham,  D.  D. .  .  .  167  7,959 

1865.  Bennington J.  M.  Hotchkiss H.  D.  Hodge 219  7,690 

1866 .  . Saxtons  River  .  . E.  A.  Fuller W.  S.  Apsey 321  7,714 

1867 .  .  No.  Springfield. .  E.  A.  Fuller A.  W.  Goodnow 6.38  8,200 

1868 .  ,  Newport E.  A.  Fuller W.  N.  Wilbur 548  8,433 

1869.  .Windsor J.  Goadby,  D.  D Mark  Carpenter 402  8,518 

1870.  .Hydeville J.  Goadby,  D.  D J.  Freeman,  D.  D.. .  450  8,707 


640  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

1871.  Burlington J.  Goadby,  D.  D S.  M.  Whiting 439  8,670 

1872.  .Brattleboro H.  C.  Estes,  D.  D M.  A.  Wilcox 299  8,816 

1873.  .Rutland J.  Goadby,  D.  D L.  J.  Matteson 300  8,734 

1874.  .Ludlow J.  Goadby,  D.  D M.  G.  Smith 269  8,666 

1875.  .St.  Albans J.  Goadby,  D.  D Foster  Henry 389  8,864 

1876 .  .  Chester Foster  Henry Dwight  Spencer.  .  .  .  649  9,294 

1877 .  .  Fairhaven Levi  K.  Fuller Wm.  H.  Rugg 328  9,569 

1878 .  . Brandon Levi  K.  Fuller R.  M.  Luther 504  9,662 

1879.  .  Poultney Levi  K.  Fuller T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D.  491  9,376 

1880.  .  Wallingford T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D.  S.  H.  Stackpole 234  9,870 

1881 .  Johnson G.  B.  Gow,  D.  D Geo.  S.  Chase 181  9,614 

1882. .  Townshend G.  B.  Gow,  D.  D J.  K.  Richardson. ...  299  9,628 

1883.  West  Randolph..  T.  H.  Archibald,  D.D..  J.  G.  Lorimer 197  9,410 

1884 .  .  Bennington T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D..G.  S.  Pratt 353  9,326 

1885 .  .  East  Hardwick. .  E.  T.  Sandford J.  A.  Pierce 362  8,980 

1886 .  .  Saxtons  River. . .  W.  N.  Wilbur F.  J.  Perry 303  9,146 

1887 .  .  Manchester  Ctr.  J.  A.  Pierce C.  A.  Reese 299  9,087 

1888 .  .  Burlington J.  A.  Pierce E.  T.  Sandford 373  9,148 

1889 .  .  Brattleboro C.  A.  Reese Henry  Crocker 232  8,680 

1890.  Rutland C.  A.  Reese F.  G.  McFarlan.  ...  421  8,756 

1891 .  .  Montpelier F.  J.  Parry A.  S.  Gilbert 425  8,812 

1892.  Fairfax F.  J.  Parry R.  L.  Olds 288  8,688 

1893.  Ludlow P.  C.  Abbey E.  A.  Herring 413  8,738 

1894. .  N.  Bennington .  .  P.  C.  Abbey J.  A.  Swart 461  8,832 

1895     Barre P.  C.  Abbey S.  H.  Archibald 225  8,580 

1896 .  .  Bristol W.  S.  Roberts,  D.  D.  .  H.  M.  Douglas 257  8,590 

1897 .  .  Chester W.  S.  Roberts,  D.  D.   W.  G.  Scofield 192  8,589 

1898 .  .  Vergennes G.  B.  Lawson W.  S.  Roberts,  D.  D.  348  8,575 

1899 .  .  Brandon G.  B.  Lawson T.  H.  Archibald,  D.  D.  217  8,520 

1900.  Brattleboro G.  B.  Lawson Gibbs  Braislin 329  8,582 

1901 .  Burlington F.  E.  Marble,  Ph.  D.  . C.  R.  B.  Dodge 200  8,401 

1902.  Bennington F.  E.  Marble,  Ph.  D.  .F.  E.  Marble,  Ph.  D.  283  8,452 

1903. .  Saxtons  River. . .  W.  W.  Stickney W.  H.  H.  Avery,  D.  D.  235  8,324 

1904 .  .  Newport W.  W.  Stickney F.  D.  Penney 281  8,165 

1905 .  .  Fairhaven W.  W.  Stickney G.  B.  Lawson 360  8,255 

1906 .  .  Montpelier W.  W.  Stickney J.  S.  Brown 287  8,154 

1907.  Rutland H.  D.  Holton F.  R.  Morris 394  8,338 

1908 .  .  Ludlow H.  D.  Holton G.  R.  Stair 425  8,351 

1909.  St.  Albans H.  D.  Holton John  Ward  Moore.  .  513  8,754 

1910 .  .  Middlebury Fred  M.  Butler A.  E.  Foote 257  8,827 

1911.  Barre Fred  M.  Butler L.  S.  Bamberg 404  9,098 

1912 . .  St.  Johnsbury . .  .  S.  A.  Greenwood R.  M.  Jones 288  8,823 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


641 


VERMONT  BAPTIST  SUNDAY  SCHOOL 
CONVENTION  COMPENDIUM 


YR. 

1S70. 
1871. 
1872. 
1873. 
1874. 

1875. 

187(). 

1877. 

1878. 
1879. 
1880. 
1881. 
1882 
188.'3 
1884. 


.Rutland. .  .  . 

.Chester 

.Brandon. . . . 

,  Fairfax 

.Cavendish.  . 

.  l$rattleboro. 

.  Poultney. . . 

St.  Albans.  . 


.Newport. . . . 
.Vergennes. . 
.  Montpelier. 
.Brattleboro. 
.Rutland. .  .  . 
.Manchester. 
.Sharon 


1885. .  Poultney. . . 
1886..  Ludlow 

1887.. St.  Albans.  . 

1888..Fairhaven.  . 
1889.  .Bennington. 


1890. 
1891. 
1892. 
1893. 
1894. 
1895. 
1896. 
1897. 
1898. 
1899. 
1900. 


.  W.  Randolph 
.Burlington. . . 

.Chester 

.Rutland 

.Brattleboro.  . 
.Bennington.  . 

.Newport 

.Bellows  Falls. 
.Montpelier. . 

.  Barre 

.  Ludlow 


PRESIDENT  SECRETARY  CONDUCTOR 

W.  M.  Pingry. . .  W.  IL  Rugg 

.  W.  N.  Wilbur. .   S.  M.  Whiting. . . 

.  W.  N.  Wilbur. .   L.  K.  Fuller 

.  D.  Spencer W.  H.  Rugg George  A.  Peltz. 

.  D.  Spencer W.  H.  Rugg C.  B.  Stout  and  W.  F.  Sher- 

win. 

L.  K.  Fuller W.  IL  Rugg W.   Randolph   and   C.    G. 

Allen. 
.R.  M.  Luther.  .  .J.  K.  RichardsonG.  A.  Peltz  and  W.  F.  Sher- 

win. 

.  L.  K.  Fuller J.  K.  RichardsonG.  A.  Peltz  and  W.  F.  Sher- 

win. 
.Guy  C.  Noble. . .  J.  K.  RichardsonW.  F.  Sherwin. 
.Guy  C.  Noble. .  .S.  H.  Archibald   W.  F.  Sherwin. 

.C.  Hibbard S.  H.  Archibald  W.  F.  Sherwin. 

C.  Hibbard J.  M.  Hull C.  B.  Stout. 

.J.  J.  Estey J.  M.  Hull Theo.  Gessler. 

.  J.  A.  Pierce C.  C.  Boynton.    Rev.  and  Mrs.  W.  F.  Crafts. 

.J.  A.  Pierce C.  A.  Reese C.  R.  Blackall,  Mrs.  S.  W. 

Clark. 

.J.  R.  Gow C.  R.  Blackall. 

L.  W.King C.  R.  Blackall. 

.R.  H.  Sherman.  .W.  F.  Sherwin,  Mrs.  L.  C. 

Roath. 
R.  H.  Sherman. .  C.  B.  Stout,  Ira  D.  Sankey. 

.H.  Crocker Mr.  and  Mrs.  G.  C.  Steb- 

bins,   singers. 
F.  G.  McFarlan  H.  M.  Douglas.  .Ira  D.  Sankey,  singer. 

. Z.  Marten G.  T.  Raymond.  W.  A.  Billings,  singer. 

. Gibbs  Braislin.  ..H.  H.  Hackley.  . 

.  Gibbs  Brai.slin.  .  .S.  Robson 

.  W.  S.  Roberts. .  .  S.  Robson 

.  W.  S.  Roberts. .  .S.  Robson 

.  W.  R.  Baldwin.  .N.  C.  Saunders.. 
.C.  R.  B.  Dodge  W.  A.  Davison.  . 
.C.  R.  B.  Dodge  W.  A.  Davison.  . 
.  W.  A.  Kinzic.  .  .  .T.  A.  Howard. . . 
,W.  A.  Kinzie.  .  ..T.  A.  Howard. . . 


.J.  A.  Pierce. .  .  . 
.  L.  W.  Hawley. 
.  F.  J.  Parry. . .  . 

F.  J.  Parry. . .  . 
F.  J.  Parry. . .  . 


642  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


COMPENDIUM  OF  SHAFTSBURY  ASSOCIATION 


YR.                    PLACE         MODEUATOR              PREACHER  BAP.  MEM. 

1781 

1786 Justus  Hull 67  715 

1787 .  .  Adams J.  Morse Joshua  Morse  ....  50  718 

1788 .  .  1st  Shaftsbury. .  C.  Blood Nicholas  Cox 71  803 

1789 .  .  1st  Hillsdale S.  Waldo P.  Werden 174  1,118 

1790 .  .  Adams 1,500 

1791 .  Stockbridge C.  Blood J.  Hull 408  1,754 

179!^ .    Stillwater C.  Blood 2,150 

179:5.  .Pittstown C.  Blood S.  Waldo 261  2,500 

1794 .  .  Pownal P.  Werden L.  Powers 345  2,809 

1795 .  .Stillwater J.  Leland J.  Leland 182  3,029 

1796 .  .  W.  Stockbridge  . C.  Blood C.  Blood 260  3,181 

1797.  .  Bottskill L.  Powers J.  Gray 271  3,458 

1798 .  .  1st  Ste'phentown  C.  Blood S.  Rogers 161  3,460 

1799 .  . 2d  Stephentown. S.  Rogers I.  Webb 732  4,060 

1800 .  . 4th  Shaftsbury.  .  C.  Blood J.  Hull 767  4,127 

1801 .  .2d  Galway C.  Bh)od C.  Blood 395  4,318 

1802.  . Pittstown J.  Craw E.  Lee 221  4,220 

1803.  .  W.  Stockbridge    J.  Hull C.  Blood 285  4,301 

1804 .  . Clifton  Park    .    .  C.  Blood L.  Covell 314  4,433 

1805 .  .  Hoosick  Palls. . .  C.  Blood E.  Lee 229  4,593 

1806.  .Troy S.  Gano* C.  Blood 145  3,122 

1807.  .2d  Cheshire C.  Blood I.  Webb 236  3,288 

1808    .  Pownal L  Webb J.  Leland .  341  3,392 

1809 .  .  Schodack L  Webb J.  Glass 291  3,303 

1810 .  .  White  Creek.  ...  I.  Webb A.  Peck : .  249  3,321 

1811 .  .3d  Cheshire O.  Warren C.  Lahatt 375  3,724 

1812.  .  W.  Stockbridge.  .0.  Warren L  Matti.son 392  3,667 

1813.  .Nas.sau L  Webb O.  Warren 31  3,572 

1814.  Schodack A.  Peck J.  Hull 131  3,599 

1815.  .Newton,  N.  H...0.  Warren L  Webb 98  3,511 

1816.  Sandi-sfield L  Webb L  Mattis.m 226  3,573 

1817.  .Stephentown. . .  .  A.  Peck S.  S])aulding 510  3,563 

1818 .  .  4th  Shaftsbury.   J.  Cornell* E.  F.  Willey 286  3.554 

1819 .  .  Pittstown E.  Wayland G.  Rol)in.son 189  3,238 

1820 .  .  North  Adams. .  .  A.  Peck L  Mattison 173  3,877 

1821 .  Egremont L  Mattison I).  Tinkham 144  2,846 

1822 .  .  Hoosick  Falls. . .  I.  Mattison J.  Harris 189  2,865 

1823 .  .  Nassau I.  Matti.son E.  D.  Hubbell 54  2,570 

1824 .  .  NMiite  Creek.  .  .  .  D.  Tinkham Ira  Hall 202  2,725 

1825.  Newtown,  N.  H.L  Mattison A.  Beach 212  3,317 

1826.  East  Hillsdale. . .  J.  Harris E.  Sweet 71  2,713 

1827.  .Stephentown. . .   E.  D.  Hubbell J.  Cooper 167  2,545 

1828.  .Pownal E.  D.  Hubbell E.  D.  Hubl)ell 91  2,353 


HISTORY    OF    THE     BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT  643 

1829.  .  1st  Shaftsbiiiy. .  E.  D.  Hubbell E.  Marshall 

1830.  .  1st  Na.s.sau I.  Keach I.  Keach 

1831 .  .Stamford E.  D.  Huhholl P.  Roberts,  Jr 

1832.  .  1st  Shaftsburv. .  I.  Keach E.  D.  Hubbell 

1833.  .1st  Bennington    E.  D.  Hubbell I.  Keach 

1834. .  Hoosick  Corners  E.  D.  Hubbell M.  Field 

1835 .  .  3d  Shaftsbury. . .  I.  Keach T.  Marshall 

1836 .  .  Manchester S.  Kenney J.  M.  Graves 

1837 .  .  Pownal I.  Keach.' I.  Mattison 

1838 .  .  1st  Bennington  .  S.  Hutchins H.  Ellis 

1839 .  .  1st  Shaftsbury. .  I.  Keach S.  Hutchins 

1840 .  .  Hoosick J.  W.  Sawyer J.  W.  Sawyer 

1841 .  .  3d  Shaftsbury. . .  J.  W.  Sawyer A.  Kenyon 

1842 .  .  Manchester J.  W.  Sawyer J.  W.  Sawyer 

1843 .  .  Pownal J.  W.  Sawyer I.  Mattison 

1844 .  .  1st  Bennington  .  J.  W.  Sawyer H.  I.  Parker 

1845 .  .  1st  Shaftsbury. .  I.  Keach C.  W.  Hodges 

1846 .  .  X.  Bennington     I.  Keach M.  Bachelor 

1847.  .3d  Shaftsl)ury  .  .C.  W.  Hodges J.  A.  Smith 

1848 .  .  Manchester C.  W.  Hodges J.  Cannon 

1849.  .West  Rupert. . .  .1.  Mattison I.  Mattison 

1850.  .  1st  Bennington.  .1.  Mattison L.  Bailey. 

1851 .  .N.  Bennington.  .J.  D.  E.  Jones E.  Conover 

1852.  Hoosick  Corners  Wm.  Arthur J.  D.  E.  Jones 

1853.  .Shaftsburv Arthur  Day O.  Tracy 

1854.  .  Manchester T.  H.  Archibald A.  T.  Chapman.  .  . 

1855 .  .  Bennington L.  Howard T.  H.  Archibald.  .  . 

1856.  .  Wallingford N.  W.  Smith C.  A.  Thomas 

1857 .  .  Poultney C.  A.  Thomas C.  H.  Green 

1858 .  .  Hoosic  Corners .  .  J.  Goadby N.  Clark 

1859.  .  Manchester W.  Lincoln B.  N.  Leach 

1860 .  .  Brandon B.N.  Leach W.  Lincoln 

1861 .  .  West  Pawlet C.  H.  Green A.M.  Swain 

1862.  .North  Bennington  A.  M.  Swain W.  L.  Palmer 

1863.  Rutland C.  A.  Thomas J.  Tucker,  Jr 

1864 .  .  Hydeville W.  L.  Palmer L  H.  Wood 

1865 .  Shaftsbury L.  Howard W.  S.  Ap.sey 

1866.  .  Middletown J.  Goadby D.  Beecher 

1867 .  .  Brandon J.  Goadby J.  Goadby 

1868 .  .  Manchester C.  A.  Thomas W.  H.  Rugg 

1869.  Bennington H.  L.  Grose H.  L.    Grose 

1870 .  .  Wallingford E.  Mills S.  K.  Dexter 

1871.  .Ira E.  Mills E.  Mills 

1872 .  .  North  Bennington  E.  Mills I.  C.  Carpenter 

1873.  Poultney R.  M.  Luther D.  Spencer 

1874 .  .  Fairhaven C.  A.  Thomas F.  Henry 

1875 .  .  West  Pawlet W.  L.  Palmer R.  M.  Luther 

1876.  Rutland R.  M.  Luther J.  A.  Pierce 

1877.  Shaftsbury D.  Spencer J.  K.  Richardson.  . 

1878 .  .  Middletown D.  Spencer S.  H.  Archibald. . . 

1879.  Bennington D.  Spencer D.  R.  Watson 

1880. .  Jay J.  K.  Richardson A.J.  Chandler 

1881 .  .  Manchester J.  K.  Richardson T.  H.  Archibald.  .  . 

1882.  .East  Poultney.  .  .J.  K.  Richardson J.  A.  Swart 


27 

2.185 

84 

2,080 

131 

1,920 

550 

2,495 

59 

1,546 

88 

1,510 

133 

1,092 

10 

993 

7 

948 

64 

986 

146 

1,028 

87 

992 

7 

793 

4 

793 

187 

871 

14 

780 

19 

662 

6 

665 

.5 

653 

33 

728 

33 

738 

42 

77 

7 

853 

4 

734 

13 

594 

14 

1,476 

49 

1,388 

93 

1,462 

287 

1.673 

58 

1,086 

82 

1,655 

30 

1,705 

45 

1,718 

35 

1.664 

16 

1,625 

46 

1,552 

70 

1,.561 

108 

1,644 

87 

1,690 

43 

1,650 

76 

1,698 

54 

1,674 

31 

1,651 

149 

1,695 

42 

1,710 

01 

1,786 

130 

1,874 

31 

1,863 

246 

2,094 

118 

2,145 

36 

2,116 

59 

2,090 

97 

2,109 

644  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

1883.  .No.  Bennington. G.  C.  Baldwin,  Jr F.  Barnett 

1884.  .  Wallingford D.  E.  Post J.  B.  Lewis 

1885 .  .  Brandon S.  H.  Archibald J.  R.  Gow 

1886.  .Fairhaven S.  H.  Archibald H.  H.  Parry 

1887.  .Pittsford S.  H.  Archibald Z.  Marten 

1888. .  Poultney S.  H.  Archibald C.  A.  Reese 

1889 .  .  West  Pawlet S.  H.  Archibald L.  B.  Steele 

1890.  .No.  Bennington. Z.  Marten E.  A.  Herring 

1891 .  .  Middletown  Spa.Z.  Marten P.  C.  Dayfoot 

1892.  .Shaftsbury S.  H.  Archibald A.  S.  Gilbert 

1893 .  .  Manchester S.  H.  Archibald J.  S.  Lyon 

1894 .  .  Pownal S.  H.  Archibald R.  B.  Tozer 

1895 .  . Rutland S.  H.  Archibald B.  F.  Kellogg 

1896 . .  Ira R.  B.  Tozer Gibbs  Braislin 

1897 .  . E.  Hubbardton. .  R.  B.  Tozer J.  E.  Bruce 

1898 .  .  Wallingford R.  B.  Tozer A.  D.  Clark 

1899 .  .  West  Haven Gibbs  Braislin J.  Johnson 

1900.  West  Rutland. .  .Gibbs  Braislin E.  I.  Nye 

1901 .  .  Brandon Gibbs  Braislin Thomas  Cull 

1902.  West  Pawlet H.  M.  Douglas H.  M.  Douglas 

1903.  Fairhaven H.  M.  Douglas Gibbs  Braislin 

1904. .  Bennington H.  M.  Douglas R.  C.  Penney 

1905 .  .  Manchester H.  M.  Douglas F.  R.  Morris 

1906.  No.  Bennington .  H.  M.  Douglas H.  S.  McCready. . . . 

1907. .  Poultney H.  M.  Douglas Eugene  Haines 

1908. .  Hydeville Eugene  Haines F.  S.  Tolman 

1909 .  .  Pownal Eugene  Haines H.  M.  Douglas 

1910.  Rutland E.  M.  Fuller L.  A.  Cooney 

1911 .  E.  Poultney W.  F.  Meyer Leonard  Aldrich. . .  . 

1912.  .Shaftsbury W.  F.  Meyer H.  E.  Wetherbee. . . . 


52 

2,081 

81 

2,079 

55 

2,084 

56 

2,079 

47 

2,059 

91 

2,124 

57 

2,149 

151 

2,231 

118 

2,272 

55 

2,213 

123 

2,241 

193 

2,395 

45 

2,303 

70 

2,351 

51 

2,348 

95 

2,358 

84 

2,364 

90 

2,404 

63 

2,407 

41 

2,410 

64 

2,338 

60 

2,292 

29 

2,345 

182 

3,013 

78 

2,303 

122 

2,362 

146 

2,512 

140 

2,494 

100 

2,627 

65 

2,455 

COMPENDIUM  OF  ADDISON   ASSOC  lATION 


YR.         PL.\CE  MODERATOR  PREACHER 

1834 .  .  Panton B.  Carpenter L  Westcott 

1835 .  .  Bridport B.  Carpenter A.  Case 

1836.  .Bristol J.  A.  Dodge J.  Ten  Broeke. . . 

1837.  Addison W.  G.  Johnson W.  G.  Johnson. . 

1838.  .Orwell John  Ide J.  K.  Wright 

1839 .  .  Middlobury John  Ide J.  Ten  Broeke.  . 

1840.  .  Whiting John  Ide A.  Kingsbury.  .  . 

1841 .  .  Fcrrisburg O.  S.  Murray W.  G.  Johnson.  . 

1842 .  .  Ciuirlotte John  Ide I.  Keach 

1843 .  .  Panton I.  Keach B.  Brierly 

1844.  Addison I.  KeaCh E.  Hurlburt 

1845 .  .  Bri<lport A.  Angier C.  E.  Miles 

1846 .  .  Whiting C.  E.  Miles J.  K.  Wright 

1847 .  .  Bristol B.  Allen J.  Ten  Broeke. . . 

1848 .  .  Charlotte B.  Allen B.  Allen 

1849.  .Panton B.  Allen J.  M.  Driver 

1850 .  .  Addison M.  D.  Miller B.  Allen 


50 

841 

105 

987 

227 

1,196 

32 

1,092 

66 

1,043 

106 

1,045 

29 

1,101 

26 

1,055 

22 

951 

94 

974 

14 

802 

6 

716 

6 

602 

1 

625 

5 

614 

2 

574 

29 

545 

HISTORY     OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT  645 

1851 .  .Whiting M.  D.  MUler M.  D.  Miller 

1852. .  Bridport M.  D.  Miller H.  I.  Parker 

1853.  .Orwell J.  K.  Wright A.  A.  Sawin 

1854 .  .  Bristol H.  Converse L.  Smith 

1855. .  Monkton J.  W.  Sawyer J.  W.  Sawyer 

1856.  .Charlotte P.  C.  Himes P.  C.  Himes 

1857.  .Panton J.  W.  Sawyer E.  W.  Allen 

1858.  Whiting E.  W.  Allen L.  S.  Smith 

1859.  Addison R.  Sawyer J.  Q.  A.  Ware. .  .  . 

1860.  Bridport R.  Sawyer R.  Sawyer 

1861 .  .Bristol R.  Sawyer W.  G.  Denio 

1862.  .Monkton R.  Sawyer N.  J.  Pinkham.  .  . 

1863.  .Orwell J.  Q.  A.  Ware L.  Smith 

1864 .  .  Cornwall J.  Q.  A.  Ware E.  Goodspeed.  .  .  . 

1865.  .Charlotte J.  Q.  A.  Ware C.  Smith 

1866 .  .  Panton E.  Goodspeed L.  Smith 

1867.  .  Addi.son H.  Converse T.  H.  Archibald.  . 

1868.  .Whiting T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  .W.  L.  Palmer.  .  .  . 

1869.  .Bristol T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  .W.  S.  Blaisdell.  .  . 

1870.  .  Vergennes T.  H.  Archibald.  ...  A.  Jones 

1871 .  .  Monkton T.  H.  Archibald. . .  .  G.  H.  Parker 

1872.  .Panton N.  Clark I.  P.  Kellogg 

1873.  .Charlotte T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  .N.  Clark 

1874. .  Cornwall T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  .John  Goadby. .... 

1875.  .Bri.stol H.  D.  Hodge H.  D.  Hodge 

1876.  .Whiting H.  D.  Hodge L.  B.  Hibbard. . . . 

1877.  .Addison C.  Hibbard C.  Van  Steinberg. 

1878.  .Charlotte L.  Smith R.  Nott 

1879.  .Panton I.  P.  Kellogg W.  D.  Hall 

1880. .  Cornwall C.  Hibbard P.  C.  Dayfoot. .  .  . 

1881 .  .  Bri.stol C.  A.  Votey C.  A.  Votey 

1882.  .Vergennes C.  A.  Votey R.  Nott 

1883. .  Wliiting I).  F.  Estes D.  F.  Estes 

1884.  .  Addi.-son Ahira  Jones I.  W.  Coombs. ... 

1885. .  Middlebury A.  C.  Palmer Joseph  Freeman.  . 

1886.  .Charlotte A.  DeF.  Palmer.  .  .  .T.  H.  Archibald.  . 

1887.  Bristol T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  . A.  DeF.  Palmer.  . 

1888 .  .  Vergennes A.  DeF.  Palmer .  .  .  .  S.  E.  Miller 

1889.  .Cornwall A.  DeF.  Palmer.  .  .  .R.  H.  Sherman. . . 

1890.  .Whiting T.  H.  Archibald.  .  .  .A.  H.  Murray 

1891.  .Addison A.  H.  Murray A.  A.  Cambridge. . 

1892.  .Middlebury A.  H.  Murray L.  Kiimev 

1893. .  Chariotte T.  G.  Lyons B.  F.  Kellogg 

1894..  Bristol B.  F.  Kellogg T.G.Lyons 

1895. .  Vergennes A.  C.  Palmer H.  T.  Slocum 

1896. .  Cornwall LP.  Kellogg W.  A.  Kinzie 

1897.    Addison LP.  Kellogg LP.  Kellogg 

1898. .  Whiting H.  H.  Wliite E.  M.  Bartlett 

1899 .  .  Chariotte E.  M.  Bartlett H.  H.  White 

1900 .  .  Bristol E.  M.  Bartlett G.  H.  Carr 

1901 .  .  Vergennes W.  A.  Kinzie G.  C.  Lamson. . .  . 

1902.  Middlebury W.  A.  Kmzie A.  L.  Powell 

1903 .  .  Cornwall. .' T.  A.  Howard W.  B.  Crowell 

1904 .  Panton S.  P.  Perry S.  H.  Myers 

1905.  Addison G.  H.  Carr T.  A.  Howard. . .  . 

1906.  .Bristol T.  A.  Howard Geo.  R.  Stair 


18  - 

578 

4 

567 

10 

560 

5 

545 

27 

537 

27 

514 

28 

509 

16 

529 

4 

486 

10 

478 

4 

438 

2 

397 

5 

415 

3 

393 

1 

393 

1 

367 

14 

362 

73 

422 

110 

530 

43 

455 

25 

557 

6 

549 

5 

519 

2 

467 

8 

467 

18 

481 

16 

490 

32 

416 

36 

515 

19 

527 

6 

522 

14 

502 

6 

497 

14 

462 

24 

380 

55 

516 

16 

505 

13 

495 

5 

469 

33 

471 

25 

503 

5 

504 

15 

472 

6 

460 

27 

483 

11 

461 

30 

496 

10 

500 

7 

481 

22 

487 

8 

478 

26 

492 

24 

462 

7 

438 

19 

454 

21 

471 

646                      HISTORY  OF     THE     BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 
1907 .  .  East  Charlotte Geo.  R.  Stair S.  P.  Perry. 


1908.  .  Vergennes. 

1909.  Middlebury 

1910.  .Whiting... 

1911.  .Lincoln 

1912.  Panton 


I.E.  Usher H.  H.  White.  . 

.I.E.  Usher I.  E.  Usher... 

I.  E.  Usher T.  Davison. . . 

.  C.  T.  Reekie Geo.  Pomfrey. 

R.  B.  Esten,  D.  D...C.  T.  Reekie. 


62 

512 

39 

535 

71 

621 

61 

661 

6 

615 

16 

603 

COMPENDIUM   OF   VERMONT   ASSOCIATION 

(Minutes  from  17!)5  to  1805  mi.ssing) 

YR.         PLACE  MODERATOR  PREACHER       BAP.     MEM. 

1805 .  .  Poultney Isaac  Bcall Ariel  Kendrick ....  75      1,347 

1806 .  .  Salem Henry  Green 

1807 .  .  Bradford Henry  Green William  Harrington       236      1,329 

1808 .  . Cornwall Obed  Warren Sylvanus  Haynes.  .  161    1,213 

1809 .  .  Middletown William  Harrington.  Henry  Green 297      1,685 

1810.  .Pittsford Obed  Warren. Obed  Warren 142      1,909 

1812.  .Monkton Sylvanus  Haynes 

1813.  .Cornwall Clark  Kendrick Clark  Kendrick 67      1,794 

1814.  Brandon Henry  Green Nathaniel  Kendrick      113      1,787 

1815.  Rupert Clark  Kendrick Henry  Green 102    1,836 

1816 .  .  Ira Isaac  Sawyer E.  Starkweather. . .        110      1,963 

1817 .  .  Addison Clark  Kendrick Sylvanus  Haynes. .       666      2,840 

1818.  . Poultney William  Harrington.  Abiel  Wood 56      2,727 

1819.  .Hinesburg Clark  Kendrick Henry  Green 49      3,464 

1820.  .Cornwall Henry  (irecn Joseph  W.  Sawyer.  29      1,901 

1821 .  .  AV.  Granville,  N.  Y Henry  Green 

1822 .  Whiting Abiel  Wood Clark  Kendrick. ...       156      2,539 

1823.  Bradford Isaac  Buckhn 

1824 .  .  Middletown Isaac  Sawyer S.  C.  Dillaway  .... 

1825.  Brandon Joseph  W.  Sawyer.  .Pharcellus  Church.. 

1826.  .  Addi.son Joseph  W.  Sawyer.   Henry  Green 127 

1827.  .Orwell Jo.seph  W.  Sawyer.   John  A.  Dodge. .  .  . 

1828 .  .  Bristol Hadley  Proctor Hadley  Proctor 

1829     Rutland :  .  Hadley  Proctor Jonathan  Merriam. 

1830.  .Cornwall Eli  B.  Smith William  Hutchin.son 

1831 .  .Poultney Hadley  Proctor John  A.  Dodge.  .  .  . 

1832.  Whiting E.  B.  Smith 

1833 .  .  Hubbardton Hadley  Proctor Hadley  Proctor. ...        127      1,679 

1834 .  .  Rutland George  B.  Ide 

1835.  Brandon Rculien  Sawyer S.  C.  Dillaway 9      1,136 

(Addi.son  A.s.sociation  withdrawn  from  this  leaving  fourteen  churches.) 


33 

2,289 

64 

1,919 

127 

1,861 

48 

1,608 

28 

1,523 

18 

1,458 

295 

1,780 

545 

2,199 

HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IX     VERMONT  647 

1836.   Ira C.  Dillaway E.  S.  Soullard 35  999 

1837     Pittsford A.HajTies '. 

1838 

1889.  .Wallingford C.A.Thomas D.  Haskall 112  1,125 

1840 .  .  Hubbardton C.  A.  Thomas V.  A.  Hotchkiss 79  1,150 

1841 .  .  Benson Daniel  Haskall C.  A.  Thomas 28  1,130 

1842.  .  Middletown Daniel  Haskall B.  Allen 46  1,041 

1843 .  .  Rutland Daniel  Haskall 276  1,261 

1844 .  .  Brandon Daniel  Haskall J.  M.  Driver 16  1,202 

1845 .  .  Poullney. C.  A.  Thomas J.  M.  Rockwood 8  1,108 

1846.  Ira Aaton  Angier L.  Smith 6  1,115 

1847 .  .  Wallingford C.  A.  Thomas Mosses  Field 26  1,046 

1848 .  .  Rutland C.  A.  Thomas C.  A.  Thomas 19  992 

1849 .  .  Middletown'. Moses  Field J.  M.  Rockwood 6  943 

1850.  .Wallingford J.  Goadby J.  Goadby 18  894 

1851 .  .  West  Haven C.  A.  Thomas L.  Howard 20  896 

1852.  .  Brandon John  Goadby N.  W.  Smith 12  936 

1853.  Ira John  Goadby S.  L.  Elliott 18  934 

1854 .  Rutland John  Goadby John  Goadby 40  928 

(I'nited  with  the  Shaftsbury  Association  under  the  name 
of  Vermont  and  Shaftsbury  As.sociation). 


COMPENDIUM  OF  WOODSTOCK  ASSOCIATION 


YR.  PLACE  MODERATOR  PREACHER      BAP.   MEM. 

1783.  ."This  Association  was  organized  with  a  very  few  churches,  February,  1783' 
in  Woodstock,  \t."  (Benedict's  History,  i.  342). 

1784 

1785 

1786.  Sutton,  N.  H Joseph  Call Jedidiah  Hebbard 496 

1787 .  .  Windsor,  Vt Eleazar  Beckwith 

1788.  Marlow,  N.  H Joseph  Thompson.  .  .Thomas  I'aldwin 682 

1789 .  .  Marlow,  N.  H Thoma.s  Baldwin. . .  Ebenezer  Bailey 808 

1790  .  .  Canaan,  N.  H Joseph  Thomp.son. .  John  Peckins 996 

1794.  .Westmoreland,  N. 

H Aaron  I  eland Abiel  Led(  it 1,694 

1795 .  .  N.  London,  N.  H.  Aaron  Leland Aaron  Leland 1,548 

1796 .  .  Woodstock,  V^t Jeremiah  Higbee 

1797 

1798.  .Newport,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Aaron  Leland 1,433 

1799.  Dublin,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Isaac  Beal 1,585 

1800.  .N.  London,  N.  H.  Aaron  Leland Ariel  Kendrick 1,679 

1801 .  Cornish,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Elijah  Willard '.       1,744 


648  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

1802 .  .  Grafton,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Aaron  Leland 1888 

1803 .  .  Windsor,  Vt Jeremiah  Higbee 

1804.  .  Alstead,  N.  H Ariel  Kendrick Ariel  Kendrick 1944 

1805.  .Newport,  N.  H Ariel  Kendrick Job  Seamans 1960 

1806.  .Hanover,  N.  H Ariel  Kendrick Jeremiah  Higbee 1920 

1807.  .Dublin,  N.  H Ariel  Kendrick Thomas  Brown 2152 

1808 .  .  Cornish,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Stephen  Choat 2068 

1809.  .New  London,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Joel  Manning 1601 

1810 .  .  Alstead,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Isaiah  Matteson 1837 

1811.  Newport,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Jeremiah  Higbee 1812 

1812.  .Canaan,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Ariel  Kendrick. 1925 

1813.  Cavendish,  Vt Aaron  Leland Ariel  Kendrick 1836 

1814.  .Westmoreland,  N.  H.Aaron  Leland Jonathan  Going 1802 

1815 .  .  Windsor,  Vt Aaron  Leland Aaron  Leland 1945 

1816 .  .  Sutton,  N.  H Ariel  Kendrick Joseph  Elliot 133  1899 

1817.  .Mount  Holly,  Vt Joseph  Elliot Jeremiah  Higbee. . .     178  2041 

1818.  .New  London,  N.  H.. .  .Aaron  Leland Leland  Howard. ...      166  2199 

1819.  .Rockingham,  Vt Joseph  Elliot Reuel  Lathrop 308  2249 

1820.  Cornish,  N.  H Joseph  Elliot Ira  Pearson 134  2365 

1821 .  .  Springfield,  Vt Aaron  Leland Daniel  Packer 120  2447 

1822.  .  Newport,  N.  H Timothy  Grow Joseph  Elliot 87  2344 

1823.  .  West  Windsor,  Vt.  .  .  .Aaron  Leland Jeremiah  Higbee. . .       65  2456 

1824 .  .  New  London,  N.  H.. .  Aaron  Leland Ira  Pearson 59  2330 

1825 .  .  Mount  Holly,  Vt Aaron  Leland Ariel  Kendrick 159  2509 

1826.  Newport,  N.  H Aaron  Leland Theophi.  B.  Adams     195  2651 

1827.  .Jamaica,  Townsh'd, 

Vt Aaron  Leland Ira  Pearson 119  2633 

1828 .  .  Ludlow,  Vt Aaron  Leland Richard  M.  Ely .  .  .      142  2682 

In  1828,    the  Association  was  divided,    the    New    Hampshire 
churches  withdrawing  from  it. 

1829 .  .  Windsor Aaron  Leland Aaron  Leland 92  1832 

1830 .  .  Grafton Aaron  Leland Leland  Howard. ...     126  1822 

1831 .  .  Chester Leland  Howard Joseph  Freeman. .  .     203  2019 

1832.  .  Weston Daniel  Packer Simeon     Chamber- 

lain.      576  2663 

1833 .  .  Cavendish Daniel  Packer Richard  M.  Ely .  .  .     116  2591 

1834 .  .  Londonderry Daniel  Packer Cyrus  W.  Hodges. .       80  2561 

1835 .  .  Andover Daniel  Packer Daniel  Packer 316  2817 

1836 .  .  North  Springfield Daniel  Packer Jo.seph  M.  Graves..     144  2724 

1837 .  .  Rockingham Ira  Pearson Ira  Pearson 106  2559 

1838 .  .  Grafton Daniel  Packer Elijah  Hutchinson.     425  2966 

1839 .  .  Mount  HoUv Daniel  Packer Sem  Pierce 113  2971 

1840 .  .  Windham. .". Joseph  M.  Graves.. . Moses  Field 50  2878 

1841 .  .  Chester Daniel  Packer Benjamin  Brieriy . .        62  2809 

1842 .  . East  Townshend Daniel  Packer Baxter  Burrows. . .       154  2783 

1843.  North  Springfield Elijah  Hutchinson.    Denzil  M.  Crane    .     241  2907 

1844 .  .  Wind.sor Elijah  Hutchin.son.  .  Mylon  Merriam.  .  .        58  2767 

1845 .  Mount  Holly Elijah  Hutchinson.  .  Wm.  M.  Guilford. .        15  2541 

1846 .  .  Saxtons  River Elijah  Hutchin.son.  . Horace  Fletcher.  .  .        14  2241 

1847 .  ,  Windham Reuben  Sawyer Reuben  Sawyer. ...       48  2040 

1848.  Weston Elijah  Hutchin.son.    Nathan.  Cudworth        16  2024 

1849 .  . Cavendish Elijah  Hutchinson.  .Elijah  Hutchinson.        28  2020 

1850 .  ,  Chester Elijah  Hutchin.son.  . Chas.  H.  Green. ...       26  1948 

1851 .  . Ludlow Elijah  Hutchinson.  . Luke  Sherwin 27  1998 

1852 .  .  Grafton Lucian  Hayden Baxter  Burrows.. .  .        17  1875 

1853 .  .  North  Springfield Lucian  Hayden Richard  M.  Ely ...        45  1902 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS     IX    VERMONT  649 

1854 .  .  Townshend Ira  Pearson Ira  Pearson 271       2179 

1855.  .  Mount  Holly Baxter  Burrows Alfred  A.  Constan- 

tine 

1856.  .South  Londonderry.  .Horace  Fletcher.  .  .  .Ru.ssell  Wheeler.  .  . 

1857.  .  Perkinsville Elijah  Hutchinson.  .Chas.  L.  Frost 

1858.  .  Ludlow Elijah  Hutchinson.  .Swett  F.  Brown.  . .. 

1859.  .Chester. . Ryland  Fletcher. . .  .Thos.  H.  ArchibaUl 

1860.  .Saxtons  River Ira  Pearson Wm.  L.  Picknell..  . 

1861 .  .  North  Springfield .  .  .  Wm.  M.  Pingry .  .  .  .  C.  G.  Gurr 

1862 .  .  Weston Thos.  H.  Archibald .  Sullivan  Adams. . . . 

1863 .  .  Grafton Wm.  M.  Pingry ....  Wm.  N.  W^ur.. .  . 

1864.  South  Londonderry.. Wm.  L.  Picknell..  .    Ira  Pearson 

1865.  .Mount  Holly Nathaniel  CudworthAurora  M.  Swain.  . 

1866.  .Cavendi.sh Wm.  N.  Wilbur John  S.  Goodall.  .  . 

1867.  .Ea.st  Wallingford.  .  .Aurora  M.  Swain. .  .Nat'l  Cudworth.  .  . 

1868.  .Windsor Elijah  Hutchin.son.    Ira  Pear.son 

1869.  .North  Springfield. .  .Ira  Pearson Charles  Hibbard. . . 

1870.  .  Perkinsville Wm.  N.  Wilbur William  N.  Wilbur 

1871.  .  Grafton Samuel  M.  W'hiting  Lewis  B.  Hibbard. . 

1872.  South  Londonderry.  John  S.  Goodall.  .  .  .  A.  J.  Walker 

1873.  Chester ".  .Denzil  M.  Crane. . .  .Swett  F.  Brown.  .  . 

1874 . .  Windsor Luc.  Hayden,  D.  D.John  R.  Haskins. .  . 

1875. .  Mechanicsville Charles  Hibbard William  H.  Rugg. . 

1876.  .Ludlow John  P.  Farrar J.  S.  Goodall 

1877.  North  Springfield. .  .William  H.  Rugg.  .   John  P.  Farrar.  .  .  . 

1878.  Bellows  Falls William  H.  Rugg.  .   J.  J.  Townsend. .  . . 

1879.  Saxtons  River W'illiam  H.  Rugg.  .  .  J.  A.  Johnston 

1880.  .South  Londonderry.  Robert  G.  Johnson   Joseph  S.  Small. . . . 

1881.  .Grafton J.  J.  Townsend Samuel  H.  Emery. . 

1882 .  .  Felchville Robert  G.  Johnson  Timothy  B.  Eastman 

1883 .  .  Chester Foster  Henry J.  Mervin  Hull 

1884. .  Ludlow William  H.  Randall  Halsey  C.  Leavitt. . 

1885. .  Mechanicsville William  H.  Ran<lall  Foster  Henry 

1886.  .Bellows  Falls Rinaldo  L.  Olds.    .    Lyman  W^  King. . . 

1887.  .North  Springfield. . .  William  H.  Randall  Albert  Heald 

1888.  South  Londonderry.  William  H.  Rugg.  .    B.  S.  Morse 

1889. .  Perkinsville A.  Heald Wm.  P.  Bartlett. .  . 

1890.  Grafton O.  P.  Fuller O.  P.  Fuller 

1891 .  .  East  Wallingford  .1).  D.  Owen D.  D.  Owen 

1892. .  Saxtons  River J.  H.  Robbins Geo.  B.  Wheeler. .  . 

1893. .  Windsor C.  R.  B.  Dodge Wm.  R.  Baldwin. .. 

1894.  Chester W.  R.  Baldwin C.  R.  B.  Dodge. . . . 

1895 .  .  Mechanicsville N.  A.  Wood G.  E.  Boynton 

1896 .  . Ludlow C.  R.  B.  Dodge A.  Chipman 

1897 .  .  Grafton D.  D.  Owen H.  M.  Hopkinson. . 

1898     Cavendish J.  M.  Ashton G.  W.  Clough 

1899 .  . Bellows  Falls H.  E.  Thayer J.  R.  Haskins 

1890 .  .  Perkinsville H.  Crocker A.  G.  Chick 

1901. .  South  Londonderry.  H.  E.  Thayer C.  R.  B.  Dodge. . . . 

1902.  .North  Springfield. .  .F.  L.  Foster O.  C.  Winestock. .  . 

1903 .  .  Windsor C.  W.  Jackson H.  E.  Thayer 

1904 .  .  Chester C.  W.  Jackson A.  E.  Foote 

1905. .  Mount  Holly F.  E.  Cobum F.  E.  Cobum 

1906 .  .  Grafton J.  A.  Greenwood. .  .  .Henry  Crocker.  .  .  . 

1907.  Saxtons  River Geo.  Pomfrey E.  L.  Bayliss 

1908.  .Cavendish A.  J.  Hopkins P.  D.  Root 


60 

2147 

125 

2252 

15 

1751 

97 

1793 

03 

1779 

18 

1778 

27 

1744 

35 

1748 

15 

1691 

58 

1680 

52 

1614 

49 

1604 

103 

1757 

134 

1889 

41 

1831 

58 

1813 

83 

1827 

48 

1794 

27 

1727 

65 

1739 

93 

1777 

118 

1882 

52 

1870 

27 

1828 

38 

1679 

31 

1758 

39 

1717 

27 

1704 

25 

1681 

51 

1685 

72 

1702 

30 

1696 

44 

1694 

49 

1658 

49 

1600 

98 

1632 

74 

1628 

73 

1643 

89 

1684 

92 

1715 

46 

1699 

23 

1643 

12 

1570 

87 

1551 

34 

1540 

51 

1456 

27 

1385 

43 

1424 

36 

1418 

41 

1345 

45 

1327 

65 

1350 

39 

1357 

21 

1375 

650  HISTORY     OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN     VERMONT 

1909.  Andover J.  W.  Moore R.  H.  Tibbals 48  1393 

1910 .  .  Perkinsville A.J.  Hopkins R.  M.  Jones 27  1382 

1911.  .Ludlow E.  A.  Mason E.  A.  Mason 96  1438 

1912.  .North  Springfield A.  J.  Hopkins J.  H.  Thompson. . .  33  1373 


COMPENDIUM   OF  WINDHAM   COUNTY 
ASSOCIATION 


VR.  PLACE  MODERATOR  PREACHER. 

1835.  .Marlboro M.  Bruce A.  Lamb 

1830 .  .  Wardsboro. M.  Bruce P.  Howe 

1837 .  .  Brookline M.  Bruce M.  Bruce 

1838 .  .  Guilford M.  Bruce D.  M.  Crane: .... 

1839 .  Putney M.  Bruce M.  Bruce 

1840 .  .  Wilmington M.  Bruce P.  B.  Fisk 

1841 .  Jamaica P.  Howe F.  Hartwell 

1842.  .Whitingham F.  Hartwell M.  Field 

1843.  .  Dummerston S.  Fish S.  Kingsbury 

1844.  Pondville M.  D.  Miller E.  H.  Smith 

1845 .  .  Halifax M.  D.  Miller N.  Ames 

1846.  Brookline M.  D.  Miller J.  C.  Foeter 

1847 .  .  (niilford M.  D.  Miller M.  D.  Miller 

1848.  .  Brattleboro A.  Lamb A.  Lamb 

1849.  .  Wardsboro A.  Lamb J.  F.  Wilcox 

1850.  .  Wilmington A.  Lamb J.  H.  Crowley 

1851 .  Jamaica A.  Lamb A.  H.  Stearns.  .  .  . 

1852.  .Whitingham J.  C.  Foster J.  C.  Foster 

1853.  Pondville J.  C.  Foster A.  Lamb 

1854     Dover J.  C.  Foster M.  Ball 

1855 .  .  Halifax J.  C.  Foster W.  Tillinghast.. .  . 

1856 .  .  Brookline A.  Lamb O.  Smith 

1857 .  .  Guilford P.  S.  Adams S.  Fi.sh 

1858 .  .  Brattleboro P.  S.  Adams C.  B.  Smith 

1859.  .  Wilmington H.  Fletcher H.  Fletcher 

1860.  .Townshend M.  Carpenter M.  Carpenter.  .  .  . 

1861 .  .  W'ardsboro M.  Carpenter D.  Bernard 

1862.  Jamaica M.  Carpenter N.  Cudworth 

1863.  .  Dummerston M.  Carpenter A.  W.  Goodnow.  . 

1864   .Dover M.  Carpenter G.  O.  Atkins(m. . . 

1865.    Halifax  Center H.  Fletcher,  D.  D.  .H.  Fletcher,  D.  D 

1860     Pondville H    Fletcher.  I).  1)..  A.  Sherwin 

1867.  .Guilford H.  Fletcher.  D.  D...M.  Carpenter 

1868     Whitingham M.  Carpenter H.  H.  Peabody. . . 

1869.  .  Brattleboro M.  Carpenter O.  Smith 

1870.  West  Ward.sboro A.  W.  Goodnow S.  S.  White 

1871 .  Brookline M.  Carpenter C.  P.  Frenyear.  .  . 

1872.  South  Windham L.  J.  Matteson L.  J.  Matte.son.  .  . 

1873.  West  Halifax M.  Carpenter A.  W.  Goodnow.  . 

1874.  Guilford O.  R.  Post J.  D.  Donovan.  .  . 

1875.  Wilmington O.  Smith C.  A.  Votey 


BAP. 

MEM. 

16 

1006 

48 

1011 

22 

1001 

111 

1165 

24 

1197 

157 

1096 

13 

1198 

51 

1192 

204 

1247 

10 

1194 

5 

1095 

5 

1081 

6 

1032 

5 

991 

13 

898 

42 

904 

87 

957 

14 

955 

27 

945 

17 

899 

11 

903 

30 

916 

41 

1341 

45 

1304 

88 

1396 

38 

1400 

8 

1344 

24 

1322 

24 

1309 

30 

1227 

63 

1290 

67 

1281 

62 

1308 

67 

1336 

58 

1349 

431 

1444 

60 

1397 

106 

1505 

60 

1513 

74 

1520 

36 

1525 

HISTORY     OF    THE     BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


651 


1876. 

.Townshend 

.  .  .A.  A.  Butterfield.. . 

.E.  H.  Watrous.  .  . 

137 

1594 

1877. 

.  W.  Dummerston. 

...A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.E.  Hapgood 

39 

1608 

1878. 

.East  Dover 

.  .   A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.H.  Burthard 

47 

1616 

1879. 

.West  Brattleboro 

.  ..A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.T.  M.  Butler 

63 

1635 

1880. 

.  Pondville 

...A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.H.  V.Baker 

47 

1665 

1881. 

.  Whitingham 

.  .    G.  H.  Houghton. .  . 

H.  H.  Hopkinson. 

25 

1641 

1882 

Putney 

.  .  .T.  M.  Butler..  .  •.  .  . 

C.  E.  Sherman.  .  . 
F.  S.  Tower 

31 
56 

1651 

1883. 

.  West  W'ardshoro. 

.  .   G.  H.  Houghton..  . 

1682 

1884. 

.Jamaica 

.  .    G.  H.  Houghton..  . 

.().  Smith 

82 

1727 

1885. 

.  Brattleboro 

.  .   A.  W.  Goodnow.  .  . 

.N.  D.  Parsons.. .  . 

33 

1691 

1886, 

.Guilford 

...L.  W.  Hawley 

A.  D.  Spaulding  . 

73 

1713 

1887. 

.  Brookline 

.  .  .G.  H.  Houghton..  . 

.A.  D.  Spaulding. . 

70 

1726 

.1888. 

Wilmington 

...A.  A.  Butterfield... 

E.  F.  Mitchell..  .  . 

27 

1679 

1889. 

.South  Windham. 

.  .    Walter  Chase 

D.  W.  Athearn... 

55 

1670 

1890 

...('.  A.  V^otey 

F.  J.  Parry 

.H.  M.  Douglas  .  . 

33 

1640 

1891. 

West  Halifax..  .. 

...F.J.  Parry 

45 

1627 

1892 . 

West  Wardsboro. 

.  .  .  J.  D.  Skinner 

.  Wm.  Spencer 

30 

1502 

1893. 

West  Brattleboro 

.  .  .F.  J.  Parry 

.Edgar  Hatfield.  .  . 

49 

1478 

1894 

Pondville 

.  .  .  L.  W.  Hawley 

E.  B.  Earle 

F.  S.  Smith 

60 
15 

1476 

1895. 

.East  Dover 

...CD.  R.  Meacham 

1449 

1896. 

Readsboro 

...A.  A.  Butterfield... 

C.  D.R.  Meacham 

53 

1449 

1897. 

.Whitingham 

.  .  .A.  A.  Butterfield... 

R.  F.Alger 

33 

1448 

1898. 

Putney 

...A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.L.  D.  Temple.  ... 

34 

1432 

1899 

Jamaica 

.  .    W'.  V.  Grattan 

F.  S   Bickford.... 
.L.  B.  Curtis 

28 
64 

1432 

1900. 

West  Ilalifa.x..  .  . 

.  .  .A.  A.  Butterfield... 

1471 

1901 

Wilmington 

.  .   A.  A.  Butterfield... 

.S.  J.  Smith 

M.  R.  Foshay 

52 
101 

1446 

1902. 

.Brattleboro 

..   E.  R.  Perkins 

1485 

1903. 

.  Townshend 

..H.  D.  Holton 

R.  A.  Nichols.  ... 

31 

1411 

1904. 

.South  Windham. 

.  .   H.  D.  Holton 

E.  R.  Perkins.... 

44 

1468 

1905. 

.Guilford 

..H.D.  Holton 

I.  H.  Beman 

37 

1387 

1906. 

.So.  Newfane.  .  .  . 

.  .    A.  A.  Butterfield... 

John  A.  Mitchell.. 

46 

1339 

1907. 

.W.  Brattleboro.. 

..Dr.  H.  D.  Holton. 

..H.  E.  Buffum.  .  .  . 

64 

1390 

1908. 

.  Brookline 

...H.  E.  Buffum 

.E.C.Clark 

51 

1383 

1909. 

W.  Wardsboro.. . 

.  .  .  Jos.  McKeen 

C.  S.  Daniels 

49 

1430 

1910. 

E.  Dover 

..   J.  E.  Berry 

.W.M.Hitchcock. 

22 

1386 

1911. 

.  Readsboro 

..E.C.Clark 

H.  S.  McHale. .  .  . 

54 

1404 

1912. 

.Whitingham 

...E.C.Clarke 

.E.E.Hatfield.... 

36 

1320 

COMPENDIUM  OF  VERMONT  CENTRAL  ASSOCIATION 


YR.  PLACE  MODERATOR  PRE.\CHER 

1812.  .  William.stown Samuel  Churchill.  .  .Ephraim  Butler. 

1813.  . Williamstown S.  Churchill James  Parker...  . 

1814.  Braintree S.  Churchill Thomas  Brown.. 

1815 .  . Bethel E.  Butler Woodward. 

1816 

1817 

1818 .  .  Bethel Abner  Forbes Joseph  Wheat. . . 

1819.  Bethel Timothy  Grow Ira  Pearsons.  .  . . 

1820.  Top.sham E.  Huntington Benj.  Putnam.  .  . 

1821.  Braintree E.  Huntington Jesse  Coburn.  .  . 


BAP.    MEM. 

2  475 

6  351 

6  311 

5  344 


19  435 

3  470 

22  454 

17  485 


652  HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 

1822.  .Plainfield James  Parker Silas  Davidson.  .  .  55  595 

1823.  .Bethel James  Parker T.  Spaulding 20  616 

1824.  .Kingston James  Parker James  Parker 16  582 

1825.  .  Vershire Isaac  Sawyer E.  Chamberlain...  9  565 

1826.  .Topsham I.  Sawyer T.  Spaulding S^  553 

1827.  .Bethel James  Parker E.  Huntington...  .  34  556 

1828.  .Plainfield T.  Spaulding Sam'l  Seabury.. .  .  2  508 

1829.  .Calais T.  Spaulding T.  Spaulding 4  524 

1830.  Bethel Benj.  Swazey James  Parker 13  424 

1831 .  .  Braintree 35  474 

1832 .  .  Post  Mills T.  Spaulding W.  Kimball 50  624 

1833 .  .  Norwich T.  Spaulding T.  Spaulding 7  515 

1834.  .Chelsea 

1835 .  .  Williamstown B.  Willard J.  W.  Graves 46  502 

1836.  East  Bethel B.  Willard J.  P.  Huntington.  19  481 

1837 .  .  Brookfield B.  Willard L.  Culver 26  475 

1838.  Post  Mills 4  293 

1839 .  .  Norwich 33  489 

1840 .  .  Ver.shire 45  443 

1841 .  .  Ver.shire J.  Clement J.  S.  Herrick 30  547 

1842.  .Groton J.  Clement F.  Blood 34  551 

1843.  Braintree J.  Clement J.  Clement 43  574 

1844.  Williamstown W.  W.  Lovejoy W.  W.  Lovejoy..  .  3  575 

1845.  Thetford W.  W.  Lovejoy J.  H.  Crowley 3  561 

1846    .  Brookfield J.  Clement F.  Blood 0  527 

1847.  Groton J.  Clement P.  Chamberlain.. .  1  510 

1848.  Sharon F.  Blood L.  Chickering 2  457 

1849.  .Vershire A.  Bedel F.  lih)od 4  465 

1850.  .West  Topsham A.  Bedel P.  Chamberlain.. .  2  273 

1851 .  .  William.stown A.  Bedel A.  Bedel 0  351 

1852 .  .  Post  Mills P.  Chamberlain J.  Kyle 4  346 

1853.  .  Plainfield P.  Chamberlain P.  Chamberlain.. .  3  339 

1854 .  .  Venshire J.  Clement A.  Bedel 14  356 

18.55.   Sharon J.  Clement J.  Clement 0  312 

1856 .  .  Brookfield J.  Clement L.  A.  Dunn 4  294 

1857 .  .  West  Topsham 

1858.  Post  Mills N.  W.  Smith J.  Small 11  285 

1859 .  .  Williamstown N.  W.  Smith N.  W.  Smith .36  347 

1860.  .Braintree J.  Baldwin P.  Chamberlain.. .  8  355 

1861.  East  Bethel H.  D.  Hodge H.  D.  Hodge 21  375 

1862.  ,  Vershire A.  Norcross A.  Norcross 2  368 

1863 .  .  West  Topsham A.  Norcross A.  Belknap 27  384 

1864 .  .  Braintree B.  (J.  Fi.sk W.  L.  Colbum.. .  .  3  328 

1865 .  . Sharon H.  D.  Hodge P.  W.  Fuller 4  349 

1866.  .  Groton H.  D.  Hodge A.  N.  Woodruff.. .  18  363 

1867.  East  Bethel N.  P.  Foster CD.  Fuller 40  370 

1868.  .Vershire P.  Foster J.  Freeman 18  378 

1869 .  .  Braintree L.  Tracy J.  K.  Chase 12  385 

1870 .  .  Sharon A.  Norcross Wm.  Fitz 30  342 

1871 .  .  Montpelier A.  Norcross P.  W.  Fuller 15  343 

1872 .  . Groton A.  Norcross A.  Norcross 3  379 

1873.  Vershire A.  Norcross G.  Carpenter 6  390 

1874.  East  Bethel E.  S.  Hibbard N.  N.  Glazier.  ...  4  377 

1875 .  .  Braintree E.  S.  Hibbard L.  B.  Steele 9  338 

1876.  Sharon E.  S.  Hibbard E.  P.  Merrifield...  21  362 

1877 .  .  Montpelier E.  E.  Andrews N.  N.  Glazier 26  411 


HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT  653 

1878.  Groton N.  N.  Glazier L.  B.  Steele 11  416 

1879.  .West  Randolph L.  B.  Steele W.  Crocker 18  -140 

1880.  .  Vershire J.  S.  Goodall J.  S.  Goodall 26  410 

1881.  .East  Bethel J.  S.  GoodaU S.  F.  Dean 3  393 

1882.  .Sharon H.  A.  Rogers H.  A.  Rogers 43  431 

1883.  .Groton J.  A.  Pierce O.  J.  Taylor 5  423 

1884.  .Montpelier J.  A.  Pierce H.  C.  RobbLns.. . .  29  421 

1885 .  .  West  Randolph G.  W.  Clough E.  D.  Mason 24  437 

1886.  .Vershire R.  S.  Cook G.  W.  Clough. ...  12  422 

1887 .  .  East  Bethel J.  A.  Pierce J.  A.  Pierce 23  427 

1888.  .Sharon J.  O.  Fowler A.  N.  Woodruff.. .  41  456 

1889 .  .  Groton G.  T.  Raymond G.  T.  Raymond .  .  16  475 

1890.  .Barre E.  O.  Hibbard A.  Myers 41  519 

1891.  .West  Randolph E.  O.  Hibbard J.  S.  Goodall 21  513 

1892.  .Sharon E.  O.  Hibbard S.  Robson 8  498 

1893.  Montpelier E.  O.  Hibbard P.  C.  Abbey 22  531 

1894 .  . Ea.st  Bethel S.  Robson G.  O.  Webster.. .  .  40  564 

1895 .  .  Groton S.  Robson S.  Robson 7  538 

1896.  Barrel P.  C.  Abbev H.  V.  Baker 23  543 

1897.  Randolph H.  V.  Baker T.  Tellier 25  543 

1898 .  .  Sharon H.  V.  Baker W.  A.  Davison. .  .  43  558 

1899.  .Montpelier W.  A.  Davison T.  A.  Howard 17  535 

1900.  Groton E.  M.  Fuller E.  M.  Fuller 24  546 

1901 .  .  Barre Wm.  J.  Cloues Wm.  J.  Clones.. .  .  17  570 

1902.  Randolph G.  S.  Lamson G.  W.  Clough 13  567 

1903.  Sharon B.  E.  Smith B.  E.  Smith 7  569 

1904.  Montpelier W'.  A.  Kinzie W.  A.  Kinzie 36  600 

1905.  .Groton S.  Knowles Guy  C.  Lamson.  .  16  581 

1906.  .Randolph H.  A.  Roberts A.  N.  Woodruff..  .  12  618 

1907.  Barre A.  N.  Woodruff H.  A.  Buzzell 42  640 

1908.  Montpelier Wm.  E.  Braisted...   W.  S.  Bradshaw. .  55  629 

1909.  .Groton L.  J.  Bamberg W.  E.  Braisted.  .  .  45  602 

1910.  . Websterville L.  J.  Bamberg S.  H.Myers 13  625 

1911.  Randolph W.  E.  Braisted L.  J.  Bamberg...  .  51  711 

1912.  .E.  Bethel J.  W.  Chesbro J.  W.  Chesbrc.  .  .  57  722 


COMPENDIUM  OF  DANVILLE  ASSOCIATION 

Organized  at  Danville,  Vt.,  December,  1809,  consisting  of  five  churches,  viz.: 
Littleton  and  Lancaster,  N.  H.,  Craftsbury,  Concord  and  Coventry,  Vt. 

YR.        PLACE  MODERATOR  PREACHER 

1810 .  .  Littleton Barnabas  Perkins. .  .  J.  Bailey 

1811 .  .Craftsbury Barnabas  Perkins..  .Barnabas  Perkins. 

1812.  .Derby S.  Churchill Samuel  Churchill. 

1813.  .Danville S.  Churchill Samuel  Churchill. 

1814 .  .  Coventry S.  Churchill Samuel  Churchill. 

1815.  .Craftsbury S.  Churchill — Brown. . . 

1816. .  Lunenburg Daniel  Mason Silas  Davison 

1817.  .Bethlehem,  N.  H.. .  .Daniel  Mason Elder  Mason 

1818 .  .  Bamet Daniel  Mason Amos  Tuttle 


BAP. 

MEM. 

15 

75 

36 

152 

41 

289 

14 

285 

11 

269 

12 

179 

7 

175 

124 

297 

54 

215 

654  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


1819. .  Craftsbury Daniel  Mason Silas  Davison 

1820. .  Irasburg J.  Ide Silas  Davison 

1821.  .Derby D.  Mason B.  Putnam 

1822 .  .  Lunenburg S.  Davison D.  Hutchinson .  .  . 

1823.  .  Bethlehem,  N.  H.. .  .S.  Davison J.  Palmer 

1824. .  Coventry J.  Ide Silas  Davison 

1825 .  .  Barnet J.  Ide J.  Ide 

1826 .  .  Greensboro M.  Cheney Lewis  Fi.sher 

1827. .  Burke J.  Ide M.  Cheney 

1828 .  .  Derby J.  Ide Marvin  Grow .  .  .  . 

1829.  .Troy S.  Davison J.  Ide 

1830.  .  Danville J.  Ide John  Ide 

1831 .  .  Barnet L.  Fi.sher A.  Fisher 

1832 .  .  Lunenburg J.  Ide G.  B.  Ide 

1833.  .Coventry J.  Merriam E.  Mitchell 

1834.  .Lyndon S.  Davison 

1835 .  .  Barnston,  L.  C S.  Davi.son I.  D.  Newell 

1836 .  .  Danville J.  Merriam Prosper  Powell.  .  . 

1837 .  .  Derby S.  Davi.son J.  Baldwin 

1838 .  .  Hately,  L.  C Noah  Nichols N.  Nichols 

1839 .  .  Barnet N.  Nichol.s E.  Mitchell 

1840.  .  Burke N.  Nichols B.  Burrows 

1841.  Hardwick N.  Nichol.s J.  Baldwin 

1842 .  .  Derby Jna.  Baldwin R.  Godding 

1843 .  .  Albany John  Ide Noah  Nichols .  .  .  . 

1844. .  Troy John  Ide Nathan  Dennison. 

1845.  Passumpsic John  Ide N.  Clarke 

1846.  Ea.st  Burke Jo-seph  Ide S.  B.  Ryder 

1847.  Ea.st  Hardwick M.  R.  Godding M.  Merriam. . 

1848. .  Newport Rufus  Godding Nathan  Denni.son. 

1849. .  Derby R.  (iodding H.  N.  Ilovey 

1850.  .Albany Thomas  Baldwin. . .  J.  R.  (ireen 

1851 .  Passumpsic Jo.seph  Ide R.  Godding 

1852.  .North  Troy N.  H.  Downs H.  I.  Campbell. .. 

1853.  .Newport II.  I.  Campbell A.  Norcross 

1854.  .Irasburg A.  B.  Moore N.  Dennison 

1855.  East  Hardwick Joseph  Ide A.  W.  Boardman. 

1856.  East  Burke A.  B.  Moore A.  H.  House 

1857 .  .  Eaton R.  Godding H.  I.  Campbell. . . 

1858.  Derby A.  Gillies. R.  Godding 

1859.  .  Albany Joseph  Ide E.  Evans 

1860.  .  Passumpsic Jo.seph  Ide J.  Peacock 

1861 .  .Barnston Joseph  Ide A.  Gillies 

1862.  .  Newport Jo.seph  Ide J.  F.  Ferguson 

1863.  East  Hardwick Joseph  Ide H.  N.  Hovey 

1864.  East  Burke Jo.seph  Ide J.  G.  Lorimer 

1865 . .  Eaton J.  F.  Ferguson Payson  Tyler 

1866    .  Derby A.  Norcross A.  Gillies 

1867.  Albany A.  Norcross E.  Evans 

1868 .  .  Barnston A.  Norcross S.  T.  Frost 

1869.  North  Troy A.  Norcross A.  Gillies 

1870.  .East  Hardwick A.  Gillies J.  Chandler 

1871 .  . Newport A.  Gillies C.  Newhall 

1872.  .Kingsey  Falls A.  Gillies H.  N.  Hovey 

1873     Passumpsic A.  Gillies J.  H.  Marsh 


24 

382 

7 

406 

3 

425 

23 

451 

14 

480 

39 

557 

121 

686 

13 

607 

29 

709 

70 

701 

74 

769 

15 

748 

15 

607 

309 

1116 

68 

1111 

131 

1207 

169 

1252 

150 

1360 

82 

1357 

45 

1325 

19 

1382 

144 

1323 

109 

1451 

59 

1124 

124 

1227 

19 

952 

4 

790 

27 

690 

13 

717 

8 

618 

18 

533 

38  . 

26  . 

18 

428 

17 

559 

19 

573 

41 

598 

44 

638 

20 

649 

20 

717 

91 

803 

39 

837 

78 

832 

57 

1014 

36 

1051 

13 

910 

17 

871 

32 

871 

47 

922 

54 

900 

45 

911 

86 

851 

18 

895 

22 

947 

11 

954 

HISTORY   OF   THE    BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


655 


1874. 

1875. 

1876. 

1877. 

1878. 

1879. 

1880. 

1881. 

1882. 

1883. 

1884. 

1885. 

188G. 

1887. 

1888 

1889. 

1890. 

1891. 

1892. 

1893. 

1894. 

1895. 

1896. 

1897. 

1898. 

1899. 

1900. 

1901. 

1902. 

1903. 

1904 . 

1905. 

1906. 

1907. 

1908. 

1909. 

1910. 

1911. 

1912. 


.  East  Burke .  .  . 

.Coaticook 

.Derby 

.Lowell 

.Eaton 

.St.  Johnsbury. 
.  Ea.st  Hardwick 

.  Barnston 

.  Newport 

.  Passumpsic .  .  . 

.Coaticook 

.North  Troy. . . 
.  Beebe  Plain. . . 

■  Jay 

.Derby 

.  Passumpsic .  .  . 

East  Hardwick 
.St.  Johnsbury. 

.  Newport 

.North  Troy... 
.  Passumpsic .  .  . 
•  Jay 

Derby 

.  East  Hardwick 

Newport 

.  North  Troy. . . 
.St.  Johnsbury. 
.  Passumpsic .  .  . 

■  Jay 

.  .East  Hardwick 

..Derby 

.North  Troy. . 
.  St.  Johnsbury 

.Newport 

.  Passumpsic .  . 
.  North  Troy. . 
.  W.  Derby. . . . 
.E.  Hardwick. 
.  Newf ane 


A.  Gillies 

A.  C.  Mitchell. . 
A.  C.  Mitchell. . 

N.  W.  Alger 

N.  W.  Alger. . . . 
N.  W.  Alger. . . . 

N.  W.  Alger 

N.  W.  Alger 

G.  S.  Chase. . .  . 
G.  S.  Chase. . .  . 
G.  S.  Chase. . .  . 
W.  N.  Wilbur. . 
E.  T.  Sanford.  . 
W.  N.  Wilbur. . 
E.  H.  Hayden. . 
E.  T.  Sanford.  . 
E.  T.  Sanford.  . 
J.  T.  Buzzell. .  . 
J.  T.  Buzzell. .  . 
J.  A.  Buzzell. .  . 
J.  A.  Buzzell. .  . 

R.  L.  Olds 

R.  L.  Olds 

J.  D.  Skinner. . . 
A.  L.  Wadsworth. . 
C.  D.  R.  Meacham 
C.  D.  R.  Meacham. 

A.  C.  Hussey 

C.  H.  Brown 

.  C.  H.  Brown 

C.  D.  R.  Meacham 
C.  D.  R.  Meacham 

J.  E.  Berry 

J.  E.  Berry 

O.  H.  Henderson. . . 
O.  H.  Henderson. . 

J.  J.  Williams 

J.  D.  Thyng 

.  Jno.  Thyng 


.R.Mills 23  770 

.J.  G.  Lorimer 77  970 

.  W.  G.  Goucher. ...  117  1059 

.A.  Gillies 119  1197 

.N.C.Saunders....  55  1190 

.E.C.Miller 95  1315 

.G.H.Parker 11  1317 

.  Adam  Burwash. ...  26  1215 

.N.W.Alger 42  1181 

.G.S.Chase 18  1147 

.S.  A.  Reed 63  1211 

.W.N.Wilbur 55  918 

.Frank  Gardner 49  1031 

.C.  D.  R.  Meacham  37  1890 

G.  W.  Clough 39  1082 

.S.  H.  Reed 14  704 

.J.  T.  Buzzell 7  617 

R.  L.  Olds 51  614 

.  G.  O.  Webster 27  624 

.J.  T.  Buzzell 35  636 

.H.V.Baker 18  629 

.H.M.Douglas 28  669 

J.  D.  Skinner 32  651 

A.N.Woodruff....  17  644 

H.S.  McHale 47  705 

A.  C.  Hussey 2  646 

..H.  S.  Kilbom 29  696 

.A.N.Woodruff....  5  690 

C.  H.  BrowTi 17  667 

C.  D.  R.  Meacham  30  697 

..C.  D.  R.  Meacham  16  981 

..E.  P.  Hoyt 23  676 

.O.N.  Bean 14  418 

J.  E.  Berrv 21  652 

A.  S.  Gilbert 63  724 

J.  J.  Williams 76  835 

.F.  S.  Tolman 63  921 

.E.W.  Puffer 49  967 

J.  W.  Bergin 35  975 


COMPENDIUM  OF  LAMOILLE  ASSOCIATION 

Richmond  Association  to  1811.     Fairfield  As.sociation  from  1812  to  1834.     Fair- 
field and  Onion  River  Association  from  1835  to  1846.     Lamoille  Associa- 
tion from  1847. 


YR.  PLACE  MODERATOR  PREACHER 

1795 .  .Richmond 

1796.  .Cambridge 

1797.  Fairfax Jos.  Call E.  Wilmarth. 

1798.  .Richmond 

1799 


C5G  HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 

1800 .  .  Bolton 

1804 .  .  Essex E.  JJutlcr S.  Rogers 61  618 

1805 .  .  Richmond 

1909.  .Craftsbury A.  Tattle A.  Tuttle 94  764 

1810.  .Cambridge M.  Wares M.  Wares 79  801 

1811.  .Georgia A.  Tuttle D.  Boynton 43  741 

1812.  .Fairfield I.  Sawyer I.  Orcutt 55  533 

1813.  .Swanton J.  Ball I.  Sawyer 13  563 

1814 .  .  Essex R.  Mears R.  Mears 52  552 

1815 .  .  Jolinson , 

1816 .  .  Morristown T.  Brown J.  W.  Sawyer 157  640 

1817.  .Georgia A.  Tuttle P.  Culver 209  843 

1818.  .Enosburg R.  Mears A.  Tuttle 61  885 

1819 .  .  Milton D.  Boynton J.  W.  Sawyer 25  875 

1820 .  .  Swanton R.  Mears D.  Boynton 10  842 

1821 .  .  Essex P.  Culvey R.  Mears 64  788 

1822.  .Johnson R.  Mears A.  Sabin 92  '     800 

1824 .  .  Fairfax J.  Spaulding A.  Sabin 21  894 

1825 .  .  Westford A.  Sabin P.  Chase 115  1019 

1826 .  .  Morristown A.  Sabin L.  Cole 33  1018 

1828 .  .  Fairfield R.  Mears R.  Mears 94  1073 

1829 .  .  Jericho A.  Sabin A.  Sabin 30  1038 

1830.  .Hinesburg J.  M.  Graves J.  M.  Graves 88  1163 

1834.  .Essex J.  Ide L.  Cole 91  1591 

1835 .  .  Fairfield I.  Huntley A.  Sabin 21  704 

1836.  .fJohnson 87  924 

1836 .  .  *Georgia 

1837.  .*Burlington 21  886 

1837 .  .  tFairfax A.  Sabin A.  Sabin 52  746 

1838 .  .  *Waitsfiold A.  Angier S.  Fletcher 25  875 

1838 .  .  fEnosburg  Falls S.  Fletcher S.  Fletcher 1  726 

1839.  . *Colchester A.  Angier J.  C.  Bryant 197  1010 

1839 .  .  tNorth  Fairfax P.  Cha.se P.  Cha.se 160  800 

1840.  .*Jericho H.  SafFord J.  P.  Hall 39  1155 

1840.  .  tFairfield  Center J.  D.  Fanisworth. .  .  A.  Sabin 102  870 

1841 .  . *East  Enosburg A.  Sabin H.  D.  Hodge 44  910 

1842 .  .  tHuntington H.  Safford H.  Safford 66  1079 

1842 .  .  *Svvanl()n  Center A.  Sabin A.  Stone 67  894 

1843.  .fEssex W.  G.  Johnson H.  D.  Hodge 112  1186 

1843 .  .  *Richford P.  Chase J.  M.  Peoman 151  987 

1844.  .fCambridge J.  P.  Hall M.  G.  Hodge 7  1058 

1844 .  .  *North  Fairfield J.  D.  Famsworth. .  . D.  Sabin 12  749 

1845 .  .  tJohnson 767 

1845 .  .  *Berk.shire 727 

1846 .  .  tColchester 1010 

1846 .  .  *North  Fairfax J.  D.  Famsworth ...  A.  Sabin 34  732 

1847 .  Jericho L.  A.  Dunn R.  A.  Hodge 20  1698 

1848.  Georgia J.  D.  Farn.sworth F.  N.  Jersey 52  1615 

1849.  Fairfax J.  D.  Famsworth. ..  .H.  I.  Parker 54  1558 

1850.  Hinesburg J.  I).  Famsworth. .    A.  Sabin 113  1010 

1851 .  .  Burlington J.  I).  Famsworth. .  .  M.  H.  Bixby 67  1496 

1852 .  .  Swanton A.  Sabin L.  A.  Dunn 18  1237 


1853.  Johnson L.  A.  Dimn. .  .  . 

1854 .  .  Georgia L.  Tracy 

1855 .  .Jericho A.  Sabin 

1856.  .North  Fairfax L.  A.  Dunn 

*Onion  River        fFairfield 


.  ..P.  C.  Himes 49  1285 

...E.B.Smith 61  1334 

.  .  .F.  N.  Jersey 58  1336 

.  .  .T.  M.  Merriman. . .  40  1153 


HISTORY   OF    THE    BAPTISTS    IN   VERMONT  657 

1857 .  . Essex A.  Sabin H.  II.  Burrington 

1858.  .Fairfax A.  Sabin A.  Sabin 

1859 .  .  Wateibury N.  P.  Foster G.  W.  Bixby 

1860.  .  John.son N.  P.  Foster J.  Andem. 

1861 .  .  Westford J.  M.  Hotchkiss.  .  .  .  N.  P.  Foster 

1862.  .  Colchester J.  M.  Hotchkiss A.  Bedell^ 

1863 .  .  Enosburg N.  P.  Foster S.  M.  Whiting. .  .  . 

1864 .  .  Ilinesburg R.  Sawyer H.  C.  E  ,tes 

1865 .  .  Fairfax R.  Sawyer J.  S.  Small 

1866.  .  Swanton E.  A.  Fuller A.  L.  Arms 

1867 .  .  West  Bolton E.  A.  Fuller J.  W.  Buzzell 

1868 .  .  John.son H.  D.  Hodge M.  A.  Wilcox 

1869 .  .  Georgia A.  Sabin L.  B.  Steel 

1870.  .  Colchester H.  D.  Hodge J.  P".  Ferguson. . .  . 

1871 .  .  Montgomery L.  A.  Dunn J.  A.  Johnson.  .  . . 

1872.  . Essex  Center H.  C.  Estes M.  G.  Smith 

1873.  .Ilinesburg A.  Sabin A.  Sabin 

1874 .  .  Jericho E.  A.  Fuller J.  Ferris 

1875 .  Johnson P.  C.  Abbey J.  A.  Johnson 

1876 .  . Swanton A.  Sabin D.  F.  Safford 

1877.  St.  Albans E.  A.  Fuller A.  S.  Gilbert 

1878.  Burlington E.  A.  Fuller J.  S.  Lorimer 

1879 .  . Richford M.  A.  Wilcox G.  W.  Arms 

1880.  W.  Bolton M.  A.  Wilcox S.  S.  Pratt 

1881 .  E.  Enosburg P.  C.  Abbey J.  A.  Pierce 

1882.  St.  Albans J.  A.  Pierce J.  T.  Buzzell 

1883. .  Colchester E.  A.  P'uUer W.  J.  Goucher 

1884. .  Georgia S.  Bigwood F.  J.  Parry 

1885 .  .  Fairfax S.  Bigwood I.  Crudgington.  .  .  . 

1886.  Johnson C.  A.  Votey A.  S.  Gilbert 

1887. .  Montgomery A.  S.  Gilbert G.  H.  Smith 

1888    .  Essex  Center G.  A.  Smith Henry  Crocker .... 

1889.    Richford J.  G.  Lorimer F.  E.  Dewhurst. . . , 

1890. .  Georgia  Plains J.  S.  Goodall F.  E.  McFarlan. .  . . 

1891 .    St.  x\lbans N.  C.  Saunders P.  C.  Abbey 

1892. .  Jericho Henry  Crocker M.  A.  Wilcox 

1893.  Essex  Junction Henry  Crocker T.  Sellier 

1894 .  .  Fairfax W.  S.  Schofield W.  S.  Schofield. . .  . 

1895.  Johnson W.  T.  Buzzell W.  S.  Roberts 

1896 .  .  Burlington J.  G.  Lorimer 

1897.  Richford H.  Crocker J.  T.  Buzzell 

1898 .  .  Essex W.  S.  Roberts C.  Ayer 

1899.  Hinesburg H.  Crocker W.  II.  H.  Avery. . . 

1900.  Georgia  Plain J.  S.  Goodall W.  A.  Davison.  .  .  . 

1901 .  .  Fairfax J.  S.  Goodall D.  D.  Owen 

1902.  Richford O.  R.  Hunt H.  M.  Hopkmson. . 

1903.  .Chester O.  N.  Bean O.  R.  Hunt 

1904 .  .  Johnson F.  D.  Penney H.  S.  McHale 

1905. .  Montgomery N.  A.  Wood Thomas  Adams 

1906. .  Burlington N.  A.  Wood N.  A.  Wood 

1907.  .E,s.sex J.  S.  Brown J.  H.  Le  Roy 

1908.  Essex  Junction J.  S.  Brown J.  S.  Brown 

1909.  .  Fairfax E.  S.  Greenleaf N.  A.  Wood 

1910 .  .  Hinesburg N.  W.  Wolcott Silas  P.  Perry 

1911 .  .Georgia  Plain W.  J.  Clark W.  J.  Clark 

1912.  .Jericho W.  S.  Boardman. .    .J.  S.  Barker 


69 

1287 

156 

1534 

74 

1600 

106 

1692 

66 

1696 

26 

1727 

48 

1689 

44 

1709 

37 

1615 

80 

1660 

190 

1791 

102 

1818 

91 

1866 

34 

1882 

175 

1977 

78 

1679 

42 

1963 

105 

2000 

105 

1753 

108 

2042 

45 

2130 

86 

2103 

123 

2058 

64 

2079 

21 

2034 

45 

2016 

35 

1926 

33 

1737 

99 

1768 

28 

1689 

58 

1880 

113 

1682 

36 

1613 

56 

1593 

89 

1600 

87 

1645 

80 

1634 

46 

1580 

46 

1520 

45 

1501 

24 

1525 

22 

1471 

61 

1522 

49 

1522 

28 

1425 

42 

1407 

43 

1429 

77 

1401 

91 

1485 

51 

1438 

51 

1466 

74 

1346 

78 

1361 

31 

1352 

48 

1336 

46 

1405 

APPROPRIATIONS  TO  CHURCHES    BY  THE  VERMONT 
BAPTIST  STATE  CONVENTION 


1825-1912. 


Church  Aided. 


1825. 


Amount. 


Putney $     15.00 

Dresden 20.00 

Grafton 


1826. 

Dresden.  N.Y 

Putney 

Rutland 


$     35.00 


$  20 . 00 
15.00 
60.00 

$     95.00 


1827. 

Dresden $     24.00 

E.Clarendon 25.00 

Pittsford 20.00 

Dorset 20.00 

Burlington 25.00 

E.Rutland 60.00 

Hamilton  Theo.  Inst 33.00 

Foreign  Miss 300.00 

Indian  Miss 52.00 


1828. 

Rutland 

Arlington 

Pawlet 

E.  Clarendon 

Dorset 

Pittsford 

Bristol 

2  Shaftsbury 


$  559.00 


60.00 
55.00 
30.00 
8.33 
23.00 
30.00 
20.00 
10.00 


1829. 

Bennington 

Monkton 

Bristol 

Hartland 

Rutland 

Danville 

Hubbardton 

East  Bethel 

Troy  and  Potton 

Burhngton 


1830. 


50.00 
20.00 
20.00 
10.00 
60.00 
50.00 
30.00 
30.00 
30.00 
50.00 


$  350.00 


Wallingford $     25.00 

West  Windsor 50 .  00 

Dorset 40.00 

Middletown 50.00 

Roxbury 15.00 

Randolph 15.00 

N.Fairfax 20.00 

Craftsbury 50.00 

Lyndon 15 .  00 

Burke 15.00 

Arlington 40.00 

Burlington 100 .  00 


$  435.00 


1831. 

Arlington $     40.00 

Dorset 25.00 

MiddletowTi 50 .  00 

Wallingford 25.00 

Burlington 100 .  00 

Williston 40.00 

Londonderry 15 .  00 

Weston 15.00 

Bennington 75 .00 

Bristol 40.00 

Benson 25.00 


$  236.33 


$  450.00 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


659 


1832. 

Benson 

Londonderry 

N.  Fairfield 

Weston 

Wallingford 


1833. 

West  Haven 

Weston 

Wallingford 

Wallingford  Hill 

Lunenburg 

Middlebury 


1834. 


25.00 
40.00 
30.00 
15.00 
30.00 


$  140.00 


30.00 
30.00 
25.00 
15.00 
25.00 


$  125.00 


West  Haven $     30.00 

Middlebury 200.00 

Danville 100.00 

Danby 30.00 


$  360.00 


1835. 

Felchville  and  Perkinsville. .  $   200.00 

Manchester 25 .00 

Danby 45.00 

Tinmouth 20.00 

Burlington 50.00 


1836. 

Danby 

Burlington 

Manchester 

Perkinsville  and  Felchville. 

Monkton 

Bethel 

Danby 

Benson 

Troy  and  Potton 

Plymouth 


$  340.00 


100.00 
153.90 
25.00 
75.00 
50.00 
20.00 
25.00 
25.00 
35.00 
25.00 


1837. 

BurHngton $  250 .00 

Charlotte 40.00 

Cavendish 55.00 

Felchville 40.00 

Middlesex 50.00 

Plymouth 25.00 

Winhall 30.00 

Danby 25.00 


1838. 

Middlebury 

Charlotte 

Derby 


1831). 

Middlebury 

Waitsfield 

Derby 

Cavendish 

Danby 


1840. 

Middlebury 

Burlington 

Derby 

Plymouth 

Danby. .  .  . , 


1841. 

CUfton  and  Compton. . 
BurHngton 


1842. 

Brattleboro 

Middlebury 

Burlington 

Charlotte 


$  515.00 


$  25.00 
20.00 
30.00 

$     75.00 


$  50.00 
20.00 
50.00 
30.00 
20.00 

$  170.00 


$  35.00 
75.00 
15.00 
37.50 
25.00 

$  187.50 


$     50.00 
50.00 

$  100.00 


50.00 
50.00 
50.00 
25.00 


$  533.90 


$  175.00 


660 


HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 


1843. 


1850. 


Burlington $  175.00 

IJratLleboio 50.00 

Middlebury 50.00 


1844. 


1845. 


Brattleboro. 
Burlington. . 
Pittsford . .  . 


1846. 

Brattleboro 

Burlington 

Hubbardton 

Waitsfield 


1847. 

Pittsford 

Lowell 

Brattleboro 

Derby 

Burlington 


1848. 

Brattleboro 

Burlington 

Pitt.sford 


1849. 


Danville  Association. 

Brattleboro 

Burlington 

Eno.sburg  French. .  .  . 


$  275.00 


$     37.00 

100.00 

25.00 

$  162.00 


$     30.00 

100.00 

25.00 

25.00 

$  180.00 


$     25.00 

25.00 

30.00 

50 .  00 

100.00 

$  230.00 


$     50 . 00 

200.00 

25.00 

$  275.00 


13.00 

50.00 

200.00 

26.26 


Hydeville $      50.00 

Londonderry 30.00 

Burlington 103 .  36 

Enosburg  French 1,100.00 

North  Troy 25.00 

Coventry 25  00 

Barre  Association 100.00 

Danville  Association 50.00 


$1,483.36 


1851. 

Barre  Association 

Bradley's  Vale 

Burlington 

Hardwick 

Hydeville 

Londonderry 

Middletown 

N.Fairfield 

North  Troy 

Pittsford 

Enosburg  French 


$  150.00 
75 .  00 

200 . 00 
50.00 

200 . 00 
40 .  00 
25.00 
25.00 
25.00 
50.00 

128.00 

$     968.00 


1852. 


Burlington $     200.00 

Cambridge 100. 00 

Coventrv 25.00 

Dover.." 50.00 

Hydeville 175.00 

Londonderry 50 .  00 

Monkton 100.00 

Pitt.sford 50.00 


$     750 . 00 


1853. 

Dover $       75.00 

Londonderry 50.93 

Irasburg 50.00 

Burlington 200.00 

Hydeville 75.00 

Cambridge 100.00 

Monkton 75.00 

Enosburg  French 50.00 

Brattleboro 26.10 

Marshfield 50.06 


$  289.26 


$     752.09 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


661 


1854. 

Monkton $     100.00 

Plainfield  and  Marshfiekl    .  .  75 .  00 

Ira-sburg 50.00 

Cambridge 75.00 

Mclndoe 50.00 

Dover 30.00 

Hydeville 150.00 

Shrewsbury 50.00 

Burlington 200.00 

CuttingsviUe 10.00 


1855. 

Monkton 

Plainfield  and  Marshfiekl 

Irasburg 

Dover 

Burlington 

N.  Fairfax 

Bellows  Falls 

Hydeville 

Shrewsbury 

Enosburg  French 


185fi. 


$  790 . 00 


$  100.00 
50.00 
50.00 
25.00 

200.00 
37.50 

200.00 

100.00 
25.00 

117.00 

$     904.50 


Lowell $       50.00 

Shrewsbury 75.00 

Brookfield 50.00 

Irasburg 75.00 

Londonderry 50 .  00 

N.    Fairfield 50.00 

Monkton 100.00 

Plainfield  and  Marshfield   ..  40.00 

W.  Wardsboro 50.00 

Burlington 200.00 

Bellows  Falls 200.00 

Hydeville 100.00 


1857. 

N.  Troy 

Jay 

Brookfield 

Monkton 

Burlington 

N.  Fairfield 

Wardsboro 


$1,040.00 


25.00 
25.00 
30.00 
75.00 
150.00 
50.00 
50.00 


Bellows  Falls 

Hydeville 

Londonderry 

Shrewsbury 

Plainfield  and  Marshfield 
Irasburg 


$  200.00 
75.00 
50.00 
50.00 
40.00 
75.00 

$     895.00 


1858. 

Barnston $  100.00 

Bellows  Falls 200.00 

East  Bethel 50.00 

West  Roxbury 50.00 

Burlington 200.00 

Dummerston 50 .  00 

Lowell 50.00 

Monkton 75.00 

Plainfield  and  Marshfield    ..  50.00 

Potton 50.00 

Stanbridge 50.00 

South  Troy 50.00 

W.  Wardsboro 50.00 

Brookfield 30.00 

Hydeville 75.00 

N.Fairfield 50.00 

N.Troy 50.00 

$1,230.00 

1859. 

Dummerston $  25 .  00 

Barnston 50.00 

Bellows  Falls 200.00 

Enosburg  and  Marshfield. .  .  100 .  00 

Monkton 50.00 

Stanbridge 25.00 

Guilford 50.00 

Plainfield 50.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 

South  Troy 25.00 

North  Troy 25.00 

W.  Wardsboro 30.00 

Burlington 150.00 

Lowell 25.00 

$  905.00 
1860. 

Bellows  Falls $  200.00 

Barnston 50.00 

Braintree 100.00 


662 


HISTORY    OF    THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


Cavendish $ 

Dummerston 

East  Bethel 

Monkton 

North  Troy. 

Montgomery  French 

Pittsford 

South  Troy 


100.00 
50.00 

100 . 00 
75.00 
25.16 
50.00 
50.00 
44.21 

$  844.37 


1861. 

Bellows  Falls $  200.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 

We.st  Bolton 50.00 

West  Braintree 75  00 

Dummerston 50 .  00 

Montgomery  French 200.00 

Ira.sburg 25.00 

Montgomery 90 .  00 

Monkton 75.00 

Pittsford 50.00 

North  Troy 50.00 

South  Troy 93.00 

East  WaUingford 100 .  00 

Berkshire 25.00 

Plainfield 50.00 

$1,233.00 


1862. 

Bellows  Falls 

East  Bethel 

West  Bolton 

West  Dummerston 

Montgomery  French. . 

Lowell 

Irasburg 

Montgomery 

Monkton 

Middletown 

Newport 

Pittsford 

North  Troy 

South  Troy 

Ver.shire 


$       200 . 00 

100.00 

50.00 

40.00 

200 . 00 

25 .  00 

25.00 

50.00 

50.00 

50.00 

150.00 

30.00 

40.00 

60.00 

25 .  00 


$1,095.00 


Lowell $  50.00 

Middletown 50 .  00 

Monkton 30.00 

Montgomery 50 .  00 

Newport 150.00 

North  Troy 33.00 

South  Troy 50.00 

West  Bolton 75 .  00 

West  Dummerston 50 .  00 

Montgomery  French 200 .  00 

Pittsford 30.00 

Huntington 

Groton '. .  28.00 

$1,062.00 

1864. 

Bellows  Falls $  140 .  00 

East  Bethel 100. 00 

Huntington 

Lowell 50.00 

Middletown 100 .  00 

Montgomery 50 .  00 

Newjjort 150 .  00 

North  Trov 10.00 

South  Troy 75.00 

Vershire 100.00 

We.st  Bolton 75.00 

$  850.00 

1865. 

Bellows  Falls $  63.50 

East  Bethel 100 .  00 

Groton 10.00 

Huntington 50.00 

Lowell 50.00 

Middletown 100.00 

Pittsford 50.00 

Montgomery 100 .  00 

Newport 

North  Troy 100.00 

South  Troy 100.00 

Vershire 200.00 

West  Bolton 75.00 


1863. 

Bellows  Falls $       160.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 


1866. 

Bellows  Falls 

East  Bethel 

Groton 


$     998 . 50 


233.34 
100.00 
200.00 


HISTORY   OF   THE  BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


663 


Montgomery $  100 .00 

Montpelier 425 .00 

Middletown 75.00 

LoweU 100.00 

Newport 100.00 

North  Troy 100.00 

South  Troy 100.00 

St.  Albans 500.00 

Vershire 100.00 

West  Bolton 92.00 


$2,225.34 


1867. 

Andover $  100.00 

Bellows  Falls 350.00 

East  Bethel 37.50 

Groton 200.00 

Lowell 200.00 

Middletown 100.00 

Montgomery 200.00 

Montpelier 500.00 

Newport 100.00 

North  Troy 100.00 

South  Troy 100.00 

Pittsford 50.00 

Vershire 200.00 

West  Bolton 100.00 

St.Alban.s 383.33 

Westford 35.00 


1869. 

Andover $  50.00 

Bellows  Falls 350.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 

Groton 100.00 

Huntington 25.00 

Lowell 200.00 

Montgomery 200  00 

Montpelier 500.00 

North  Troy 150.00 

St.  Albans 500.00 

South  Troy 200.00 

West  Bolton 100.00 

Westford 150.00 


$2,625.00 


$2,755.83 


1870. 

Andover $  50.00 

Bellows  Falls 300.00 

East  Bethel 75.00 

Lowell 200.00 

Montgomery 150.00 

Montpelier 400.00 

Monkton 50.00 

North  Troy 150.00 

South  Troy 150.00 

Vergennes 400.00 

Westford 100.00 

St.  Albans 100.00 

Jamaica 67 .  00 

Sharon 75.00 

West  Bolton 100.00 


1868. 

Andover $  100.00 

Bellows  Falls 175.00 

East  Bethel 25.00 

Groton 100.00 

Huntington 50.00 

Lowell 200.00 

Montgomery 200.00 

Montpelier 500.00 

Pittsford 50.00 

St.  Albans 50.00 

North  Troy 150.00 

South  Troy 200.00 

Vershire 125.00 

W^st  Bolton 100.00 

Westford 100.00 


$2,367.00 


1871. 

Bellows  Falls $  250.00 

East  Bethel 75.00 

Lowell 150.00 

Montgomery S^PO  00 

Montpelier 500.00 

Monkton 50.00 

Sharon 150.00 

St.  Albans 400.00 

South  Troy 100.00 

Vergennes 400.00 

Andover 50.00 

West  Bolton 50.00 


$2,125.00 


$2,025.00 


664 


HISTORY    OF    THE    BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 


1872. 

Andover $       50.00 

Bellows  Falls 250.00 

East  Bethel 75.00 

Lowell 50.00 

Montgomery 50 .  00 

Montpelier 500.00 

Monkton 50.00 

Sharon 150.00 

St.  Albans 400.00 

Vergennes 400 .  00 

North  Fairfax 


$1,975.00 
1873. 

Monkton $       50.00 

Montgomery 100 .  00 

Montpelier 400.00 

Lowell 150  00 

Sharon 200  00 

St.  Albans 400.00 

Vergennes 450 .  00 


$1,750,00 

1874. 

Andover $     100.00 

Brookline 60.00 

Enosburg 50.00 

Huntington 50 .  00 

Lowell 150.00 

Monkton 50  00 

Montgomery 1W>  00 

Montpelier 400.00 

Sharon 2;W.OO 

St.  Albans 400.00 

Vergennes 400.00 

North  and  South  Troy 200 .  00 


$2,190.00 

1875. 

Albany $      50.00 

Andover 100.00 

Brookline 60.00 

Huntington 50.00 

Lowell 100.00 

Monkton 50.00 

Montgomery 100.00 

Montpelier 300.00 


St.  Albans $     300.00 

Sharon 200.00 

Enosburg 50.00 

Vergennes 300.00 

North  Troy 300.00 

Nev\T)ort 400.00 


1879. 


$2,360.00 


1876. 

Monkton $       50.00 

Newport 200.00 

North  Troy 150.00 

Sharon 150.00 

Felchville 16.02 

Brookline 30.00 


$    569.02 


1877. 

Beebe  Plain $       50.00 

East  Wallingford 50 .  00 

Lowell 25.00 

Monkton 50.00 

Montgomery 50 .00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Newport 250.00 

North  Troy 150.00 

West  Randolph 200 .  00 

Sharon 100.00 

St.  John.sbury 200.00 

Vergennes 400 .00 


$1,725.00 


1878. 

Monkton $     $37.50 

Montpelier 175 .00 

Newport 150.00 

West  Randolph 183.00 

St.Johnsbury 200.00 

Sharon 100.00 

Vergennes 200.00 

East  Wallingford 35 .  00 

Felchville 15.02 


East  Bethel. 


1,095.52 


140.60 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 


665 


Highgate  Springs $     125 .  00 

Montpelier 150.00 

West  Randolph 200 .  00 

St.  Johnsbury 150.00 

Sharon 50.00 

Vergennes 150 .  00 

East  WaUingford 50.00 


$1,015.00 


1880. 

East  Bethel $       15.00 

Highgate  Springs 225 .  00 

Middlebury 300.00 

Montpelier 150.00 

West  Randolph 200 .  00 

St.  Johnsbury 150.00 

Sharon 50.00 

Vergennes 150 .  00 

East  WaUingford 25 .  00 

Enosburg 50.00 


$1,315.00 


West  Randolph $     100.00 

Waterbury 100.00 


$1,720.99 


1883. 

Colchester $  75.00 

Derby 100.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 

East   WaUingford 75. 00 

Jamaica 166. 66 

Middlebury 250.00 

Montpelier 175 .  00 

Newport 150.00 

Putney 133.33 

Richford 100.00 

St.  John.sbury 125.00 

Sharon 41 .  65 

Weston 50.00 

West  Randolph 158 .  34 

Vergennes 30 .  00 


$1,729.98 


1881. 

EastBethel $     100.00 

Enosburg 150.00 

East  WaUingford 50 .  00 

Highgate  Springs 225 .  00 

Middlebury 300.00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Newport 150.00 

St.  Johnsbury 150 .  00 

Sharon 50.00 

Vergennes 150  00 

West  Randolph 200.00 


$1,725.00 


1882. 

Colchester $       75.00 

Derby 166.66 

EastBethel 100.00 

Enosburg 100.00 

Middlebury .327.25 

Montpelier 200.05 

Newport 93.70 

Richford 58.33 

St.  Johnsbury 150.00 

Sharon 50.00 

Vergennes 200.00 


1884. 

EastBethel $     100.00 

East  WaUingford 41.67 

Jamaica 66 .  67 

Jav 29.17 

Middlebury 300.00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Newport 185.83 

Putney 200.00 

Richford 83.34 

St.  Johnsbury 125.00 

Sharon 91.67 

West  Randolph 200 .  00 

Whiting 62.50 

Colchester 100.00 


$1,548.34 


1885. 

EastBethel $      100.00 

East  WaUingford 100 .00 

Enosburg 75.00 

Jamaica 200.00 

Jay 100.00 

Middlebury 300.00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Newport 200.00 


666 


HISTORY    OF   THE   BAPTISTS  IN   VERMONT 


Putney $  200.00 

Richford 37.50 

St.  Johnsbury 100.00 

Sharon 79.16 

Vergennes 50.00 

West  Randolph 175 .  00 

West  Rutland 187.50 

Whiting 150.00 


$     2,254 .  16 


Total    appropriations     1825-1885, 

$59,014.29     to     nearly     one  hundred 
churches. 

1886. 

East  Bethel $  102.00 

East  Wallmgford 100 .  00 

Enosburg 100.00 

Felchville 16.02 

Groton 43.62 

Jamaica 200.00 

Jay 100.00 

Middlebury 300.00 

Middletown  Springs 50 .  00 

Montpelier 200 .  00 

Newport 200.00 

Putney 200.00 

Richford 37.50 

Sharon 79.16 

St.  Johnsbury 100.00 

Vergennes 50.00 

Vershire 25.00 

West  Randolph 79.00 

West  Rutland 187.00 

Whiting 150.00 


$2,319.30 

1887. 

Vergennes $  200 .  00 

Sharon 100.00 

West  Rutland 150.00 

Whiting 100.00 

West  Rutland 100.00 

Middlebury 300 .00 

West  Riindolph 175 .  GO 

Jamaica 200.00 

Jay 100.00 

Newport 100.00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Putney 200.00 


East  Bethel $  100.00 

Monkton 33 .  34 

Westford 33.34 

East  Wallingford 100 .  00 

West  Randolph 75 .00 

Sharon 50.00 

Jay 66.67 

Middlebury 150.00 

Vergennes 100 .  00 

West  Rutland 100 .  00 

Westford 66.66 


$2,800.01 


1888. 

Colchester $  66.67 

Monkton 50.00 

Jamaica 200.00 

Middlebury 150.00 

West  Randolph 100.00 

Montpelier 200.00 

Richford 100.00 

Vergennes 100.00 

Westford 33.34 

Newport 100.00 

Whiting 100.00 

Brookline 20.00 

Sharon 34.38 

West  Wardsboro 27 .  08 

East  Wallingford 100 .  00 

West  Rutland 100.00 

East  Bethel 100.00 

Jay 16.67 

Middlebury 100.00 

Vergennes 50 .  00 

West  Randolph 50 .  00 

West  Rutland 100.00 

Putney 150.00 

Putney 75.00 

East  Bethel 58.33 


$2,181.47 
1889. 

Newport $  100.00 

West  Randolph 150 .  00 

'Richford 100.00 

Jamaica 162 .  50 

Montpelier 116 .  67 

Middlebury 275.00 

Jay 50.00 

Monkton 50.00 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


667 


Vergennes $  200.00 

Whiting 80 .  21 

Andover 100.00 

West  Wardsboro 9 .  37 

Westford 150.00 

Panton 50.00 

East  Enosburg 100.00 

East  Wallingford 100 .  00 

Halifax 75.00 

Brookline 60 .  00 

Putney 92.84 

West  Rutland 237.50 


$2,259.09 


1890. 

West  Randolph $  175 .  00 

Monkton 50.00 

Brookline 60 .  00 

Middlebury 180.00 

Putney 201.67 

West  Wardsboro 43 .  75 

Jamaica 125 .  00 

Andover 100 .  00 

Essex  Junction 100 .  00 

Vergennes 150 .  00 

Westford 150.00 

East  Enosburg 83 .  33 

Panton 50.00 

Halifax 75.00 

West  Rutland 341.66 

WTiiting 75.00 

Richford 50.00 

Colchester 116 .  67 

Sharon 64.58 

East  Hardwick 83 .  33 

East  Wallingford 44 .47 

Jay 16.67 

East  Bethel 5.77 

Shaftsbury 34.38 


$2,376.28 

1891. 

Brookline $  60.00 

Sharon 125.00 

East  Bethel 165.00 

Monkton 50.00 

East  Wallingford 184 .  62 

Shaftsbury 56 .  25 

East  Hardwick 200 .  00 

West  Randolph 75.00 

Essex  Jimction 150.00 


Middlebury $  270.00 

West  Rutland 16.72 

Jamaica 150 .  00 

V^ergennes 100 .  00 

Andover 133.33 

HaUfax 125.00 

Enosburg 125 .  00 

Putney 130.00 

Whiting 31.25 

Jay 50.00 

Westford 150.00 

Colchester 115.00 

Panton 6.00 

Wilmington 100 .  00 

Derby 50.00 


$2,618.17 


1892. 

Andover $  131.25 

Brookline 60.00 

Colchester 100 .  00 

East  fiethel 168 .  33 

East  Enosburg 12.50 

East  Hardwick 200 .  00 

East  Wallingford 200 .  00 

Essex  Junction 150 .  00 

Halifax 125.00 

Jamaica 137 .  50 

Jay 21.87 

Middlebury 381 .  25 

Monkton 30.24 

Putney 270.00 

Readsboro 150.00 

Shaftsbury 112.50 

Sharon 183.33 

Vergeimes 16 .  67 

Westford 150.00 

West  Wardsboro 75 .  00 

Whitingham 75.00 

Whiting 100.00 


$2,850.44 

1893. 

Andover $  131.66 

Barre 200.00 

Brookline 60.00 

Colchester 85.00 

Derby 100.00 

East  Hardwick 150.00 

East  Wallingford 91 .  66 

Essex  Junction 180 .  00 


668 


HISTORY    OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


Halifax $  125 .  00 

Jamaica 112.50 

Jay 37.50 

Middlebury 187 .50 

Monkton 50.00 

Putney 115.00 

Readsboro 40.00 

Shaftsbury 200 .  00 

Sharon 47.21 

Vergennes 145 .  00 

Westford 100.00 

West  Rutland 85 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 158 .  33 

Whiting 100.00 

Wljitingham 100 .  00 

Windsor 200.00 


$2,801.36 

1894. 

Andover $  135 .  00 

Barre 100.00 

Brookline 60 .  00 

Shaftsbury 100.00 

Monkton 50.00 

East  Hardwick 150 .  00 

Felchville 50.00 

Windsor 100.00 

Middlebury 200 .  00 

Whiting KM)  00 

St.  Johnsburv 198 .  33 

Richford 100.00 

Essex  Junction 70.00 

West  Rutland 198 .  33 

Readsboro 35.00 

Halifax 41.67 

East  Enosburg 100 .  00 

\\Tiitingham 75 .  00 

East  Wallingford 200 .  00 

Putney 208.34 

Sharon 21.83 

Vergennes 59 .  17 

Westford 150.00 

Colchester 80.00 

Jamaica 150  00 

Jay 25.00 

East  Hubbardton 1 3 .  00 


1895. 


Andover. 
Barre.  .  . 


$2,760.67 


150.00 
200.00 


Brookline $  60 .  00 

Shaftsbury 150 .  00 

Monkton 50 .  00 

Colchester 95 .00 

East  Bethel 62.50 

East  Enosburg 75 .  00 

East  Hardwick 50.00 

East  Hubbardton 50.00 

East  Wallingford 81 .25 

Essex  Junction 125 .  00 

Felchville 37.50 

Halifax 100.00 

Jamaica 187 .  50 

Jay 43.75 

Putney 125.00 

Readsboro 75 .00 

Richford 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 135.00 

Vergennes 75.00 

Westford 181.25 

West  Rutland 33.33 

West  Wardsboro 62 .  50 

Whiting 100.00 

Whitingham 75.00 

Windsor 100.00 


$2,579.58 
1896. 

Andover $  150.00 

Barre 2.33.33 

Brookline 60.00 

Colchester 75 .  00 

East  Enosburg 75 .  00 

East  Hubbardton 25 .  00 

East  Wallingford 112 .  50 

Es.sex 75.00 

Felchville 50.00 

Fletcher 66 .  66 

Halifax 100.00 

Jamaica 60 .  83 

Jay 16.67 

Middlebury 142 .  50 

Monkton 50.00 

Putney 100.00 

Readsboro 75.00 

Richford 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 265 .  00 

Shaftsbury 150.00 

Sharon 112.50 

Vergennes 44 .  25 

We-stford 125.00 

West  Rutland 75.00 

Whiting 100.00 


HISTORY    OF  THE   BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 


669 


Whitingham $        46 .  13 

Windsor 83.33 


$2,568.70 


1897. 

Addison $  G.io 

Andover 150 .  00 

Barre 250.00 

Brookline 60.00 

Colchester 100 .  00 

East  Enosburg 75 .  00 

East  Hubbardton '25 .  00 

East  Swanton 100 .  00 

East  Wallingford 150 .  00 

Essex  Junction 100 .  00 

Felchville 50.00 

Fletcher 13.50 

Halifax 100.00 

Jamaica 118.00 

Jay 45.83 

Middlebury 170.00 

Middletown  Springs 37 .  50 

Monkton 50.00 

Montpelier 96 .  88 

North  Troy 91.67 

Putney 140 .  00 

Readsboro 75 .  00 

Richford 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 135 .  00 

Shaftsbury 150.00 

Sharon 100.00 

Vergennes 30 .  00 

Westford 53.12 

West  Rutland 150 .  00 

Whiting 100.00 

Whitingham 75 .  00 

Windsor 75.00 


1898. 

Andover 

Barre 

Brookline 

Ea.st  Enosburg 

East  Hubbardton 

East  Swanton 

East  WaUingford 

Essex 

Felchville 

Fletcher 


$1,274.79 

!    62 

.50 

275 

.00 

60 

.00 

50 

.00 

50 

.00 

110 

.00 

165 

.00 

50 

,00 

50 

00 

25. 

00 

Halifax $  100.00 

Jamaica 102 .  00 

Jay 50.00 

Middlebury 310 .  00 

Middletown  Springs 41 .  67 

Monkton 50.00 

North  Troy 100 .  00 

Putney 145.00 

Readsboro 75 .  00 

vShaftsbury 105 .  00 

Sharon 175 .  00 

Vergennes 1 15 .  00 

Westford 225 .00 

Weston 50.00 

West  Rutland 125 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 40 .  62 

AMiitingham 75 .00 

Windsor 59.37 


$2,901.16 


1899. 

Andover $  71 .  67 

Barre 375.00 

Brookline 60.00 

East  Enosburg 62 .  50 

East  Hubbardton 50 .  00 

East  Swanton 40 .  00 

East  Wallingford 85.00 

Essex 50.00 

Felchville 50 .  00 

Fletcher 20 .  83 

Halifax 71.17 

Jamaica 60 .  00 

Jay 50.00 

Middlebury 135 .00 

Middletown  Springs 50 .  00 

Monkton 50 .  00 

North  Troy 100 .  00 

Putney '  140.00 

Readsboro 50 .  00 

St.  Johnsbury 150.00 

Shaftsbury 147.50 

Sharon 150.00 

Vergennes 25 .  00 

Westford 56 .  25 

Weston 54 .  67 

West  Rutland 90 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 75 .  00 

^Vhitingham 120 .00 

Windsor 180.33 


$2,619.92 


670 


HISTORY   OF    THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


1900. 

Andover $  125.00 

Barre 175.00 

Brookline 60.00 

East  Enosburg 68.75 

East  Hubbardton 75 .  00 

East  Swanton 75 .00 

East  Wallingford 100 .  00 

Essex 50.00 

Essex  Junction 100 .00 

FelchviUe 58.33 

Halifax 70.83 

Jamaica 100.00 

Jay 27.08 

Middlebury 45.00 

Middletown  Springs 25 .  00 

Monkton 50.00 

North  Troy 54 .  17 

Perkinsville 40.63 

Putney 112.50 

Readsboro 75.00 

St.Johnsbury 360.00 

St.  Albans 100.00 

Sharon 90.00 

Wcstford 140.88 

Weston 112.83 

West  Rutland 35.00 

West  Wardsboro 75 .  00 

Whitingham 30.00 

Windsor 150.00 


$2,587.00 


1901. 

Andover $  94.00 

Barre 337. .50 

Brookline 90.00 

East  Enosburg 131 .50 

East  Hubbardton 150 .  00 

East  Swanton 131 .50 

East  Wallingford 193 .  75 

Essex 50.00 

Essex  Junction 250.00 

FelchviUe 175.00 

Halifax 175.00 

Jamaica 162  50 

Jay 79.17 

Jericho 30.00 

Middlebury..... 258.32 

Middletown  Springs 96 .  87 

Monkton 50.00 

North  Troy 158.33 

Panton 78.12 


Perkinsville $  125 .  00 

Putney 119.79 

Readsboro 158.33 

St.  Albans 200.00 

St.  Johnsbury 295 .00 

Shaftsbury 161 .  00 

Sharon 197 .  50 

Westford 162.50 

Weston 105.00 

West  Rutland 87 .  50 

West  Wardsboro 150 .  00 

Windsor 181.25 

Whiting 74.00 

Whitingham 116 .  66 


$4,825.09 


1902. 

Andover....! $  91.66 

Barre 229 .  16 

Brookline 55.00 

Cornwall 16.50 

Derby 56.25 

East  Enosburg 68.50 

East  Hubbardton 91 .  66 

East  Swanton 18 .  50 

East  Wallingford 1 14 .  58 

Essex  Junction 183 .  33 

FelchviUe 58.33 

Halifax 79.16 

Jamaica 91 .  66 

Jay 45.83 

Jericho 65.83 

Middlebury 399.99 

MiddletowTi  Springs 58 .  33 

North  Troy 91.66 

Panton 114.58 

Perkinsville 91 .  66 

Putney 98.96 

Readsboro 91 .  66 

St.  Albans 50.00 

St.Johnsbury 248.33 

Shaftsbury 91.66 

Sharon 137.50 

West  Bolton 33.33 

Wcstford 137.50 

We-ston 91.66 

West  Rutland 106.25 

West  Wardsboro 25 .  00 

WTiiting 50.00 

WTiitingham 98.95 

Windsor 135.94 


$3,418.91 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


671 


1903. 

West  Cornwall $       82. iil 

Middlebury 350.00 

Panton 125.00 

Vergennes 83.33 

Whiting 44.71 

Derby 100.00 

Jay 41 .66 

Lyndon  ville 75 .  00 

North  Troy 83.33 

St.  Johnsbury 260.00 

East  Enosburg 39.90 

Essex  Junction 174 .98 

Jericho 75.00 

West  Bolton 25.00 

We.stford 150.00 

East  Hubbardton 100 .  00 

Middletown  Springs 54 .  16 

Shaftsbury 103.41 

West  Rutland 125.00 

Barre 62.50 

Sharon 150.00 

Brookline 35.00 

West  Halifax 100.00 

Jamaica 73 .  50 

Putney 125.00 

Readsboro 100.00 

West  Ward.sboro 82 .  05 

Whitingham 100.00 

Andover 108.33 

East  Wallingford 31 .  25 

Felchville 42.00 

Perkinsville 100.00 

Weston 108.33 

Windsor 150.00 


$3,460.65 


1904. 

We.st  Cornwall $       93.75 

Middlebury 350.00 

Monkton 33.00 

Panton 168.75 

Vergennes 201 .  46 

Whiting 93.75 

Derby 37.00 

Jay 62.50 

Lyndonville 25 .  00 

North  Trov 125.00 

St.  Johnsbury 325.00 

East  Enosburg 125 .00 

Essex  Junction 283 .  33 

Jericho 43.26 


Johnson $      25 .  00 

Montgomery 100 .  00 

St.  Albans 300.00 

West  Bolton 43.26 

AVestford 187.50 

East  Hubbardton 125 .00 

Middletown  Springs 8 .  34 

Shaftsbury 100 .  00 

West  Rutland 187.50 

Sharon 162.50 

East  Barre  and  Websterville 

Mission 25.00 

Brookline 57.32 

Halifax 125.00 

Jamaica 119.83 

Putney 150.00 

Readsboro 108.50 

West  Wardsboro 125 .  00 

Whitingham 112.50 

Andover 32.72 

Ea.st  Wallingford 135 .  50 

Felchville 63.00 

Perkinsville 125 .00 

Weston 32.72 

Windsor 337.50 


$4,755.49 


1905. 

West  Cornwall $       75 .  00 

Middlebury 316.34 

Panton 150.00 

Vergennes 200 .00 

AMiiting 75.00 

Derby 150.00 

Jay 58.33 

North  Troy 83.33 

St.  Johnsbury 288 .  47 

East  Enosburg 125 .00 

Essex  Junction 208 .  33 

Jericho 92.28 

Johnson 100.00 

Montgomery  Center 87 .  50 

St.  Albans 300.00 

West  Bolton 44.50 

Westford 150.00 

East  Hubbardton 100 .  00 

Middletown  Springs 106 .  75 

Shaftsbury 90 .  36 

West  Rutland 150 .  00 

East  Barre  and  Websterville 

Mission 100.00 

Brookline 98 .  53 

Halifax 114.58 


672 


HISTORY    OF    THE   BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


Jamaica $     104.17 

Putney 121.(50 

Readsboro 52.06 

West  Dummerston 40 .  50 

West  Wardsboro 125 .  00 

Whitingham 100.00 

Andover ^5.00 

East  Wallingford 125 .  00 

FelchviUe 104.00 

PerkinsvUle 10000 

Weston '^5.00 

Windsor 150.00 


Perkinsville  B.  C. 
Windsor  B.  C 


$4,436.63 


1906. 

West  Cornwall  B.  C $  75.00 

PantonB.  C 15000 

VergennesB.  C loO.OO 

Whiting  B.C 75.00 

DerbyB.C ^-^00.00 

javB  C                100  00 

North  Troy  B.C 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury  B.C 300 .  00 

East  Enosburg  B.C 70 .  85 

E.ssex  Junction  B.C 250 .  00 

Jericho  B.C S7.50 

Johnson  B.C 100.00 

Montgomery  B.  C 138.60 

St.  Albans  B.C 300.00 

West  Bolton  B.  C 43.75 

WestfordB.C 150  00 

East  Hubbardton  B.C 125  00 

Middletown  Springs  B.C...  76 .  75 

Shaftsbury  B.  C 66.25 

Wallingford  B.  C 11532 

West  Rutland  B.  C 137.50 

East  Barre  and  WebsterviUe 

Mission 

Broookline  B.  C 64.16 

Ea.st  Dover  B.  C 88.51 

Halifax  B.C 125. 00 

Jamaica  B.C 162  50 

PutnevB.C 112  98 

Rcad.sboro  B.  C 125. 00 

South  Windham  B.C 109  90 

West  Dummerston  B.  C  .  .  68.75 

West  Wardsboro  B.C 40 .  16 

Whitingham  B.  C 100.00 

Andover  B.C 128.00 

East  Wallingford  B.  C 175  00 

FelchviUe  B.  C 104.00 

Mount  Holly  B.  C 100.00 


$     100 . 00 
150 . 20 

$  4,565 .  68 


1907. 

Charlotte $      79.17 

West  Com  wall 75.00 

Panton 150.00 

Vergennes 175  00 

Whiting 75.00 

Derby 250.00 

Jay 100.00 

North  Trov 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 300.00 

East  Enosburg 200.00 

E.ssex  Junction 550.00 

Jericho 141.75 

Johnson 87.50 

Montgomery 150 .  00 

St.  Albans 300.00 

West  Bolton 33.00 

Westford 162.50 

East  Hubbardton 125 .  00 

Middletown  Springs 183 .  50 

Pownal 50.00 

Shaftsbury 192.00 

WalHngford 92.00 

West  Rutland 150.00 

Groton 50,00 

Sharon •  •  •  93.75 

East  Barre  and  WebsterviUe 

Mission 100.00 

Brookline 100.00 

East  Dover 94.25 

Guilford 25.00 

Halifax 125.00 

Jamaica 200.00 

Putney 125.00 

Readsboro 125.00 

South  Windham 135 .55 

West  Dummerston 75 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 116 .  70 

Whitingham 135.42 

Andover 166.66 

East  Wallingford 159 .  75 

FelchviUe 104.00 

Mount  Holly 87.49 

Perkinsville 100.00 

South  Londonderry 100 .  00 

Windsor 150.00 


$3,036.07 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS   IN   VERMONT 


673 


1908. 


1909. 


Charlotte $     112.50 

West  Cornwall 75 .  GO 

Panton 148.00 

Vergeimes £25 .  00 

Whitingham 75 .  00 

Derby 228.32 

Jay 100.00 

Norton  Mills  Mission 100 .  00 

North  Troy 112.50 

St.  Johnsbury 300 .  00 

East  Enosburg 166 .  66 

E,ssex  Junction 262 .  50 

Georgia  Plain 71 .  25 

Jericho 162.50 

Johnson 162.50 

Montgomery  Center 162 .  50 

St.  Albans 300.00 

Westford 275.00 

East  Hubbardton 125 .  00 

East  Poultney 51 .  75 

Middletown  Springs 200 .  00 

Pownal 200.00 

Shaftsbury 189.16 

Wallingford 100.00 

West  Rutland 200.00 

Groton 50.00 

Sharon 93.75 

Websterville 100.00 

Brookline 100.00 

Ea.st  Dover 67 .  66 

Guilford 100.00 

Halifax 102.00 

Jamaica 200.00 

Putney 150.00 

Readsboro 96 .  68 

South  Windham 162.50 

West  Dummerston 87 .  50 

West  Wardsboro 175 .  00 

Whitingham 116.66 

Heartwellville 475 .00 

Andover 200 .  00 

East  Wallingford 175 .  00 

Felchville 94.00 

Mount  Holly 112.50 

Perkinsville 100.00 

South  Londonderry 100 .00 

Weston 95.74 

Windsor 200.00 


Charlotte $     100 .  00 

Lincoln 45 .  00 

Panton 135.00 

\'ergeimes 235 .  67 

Whiting 75 .  00 

Derby 300.00 

Jay 103.84 

Norton  Mills 100 .  00 

North  Troy 103.84 

St.  Johnsbury 300 .  00 

Essex  Junction 250.00 

Georgia  Plains 100 .  00 

Jericho 150.00 

Johnson 155 .  76 

Montgomery 150 .  00 

St.  Albans 300.00 

Westford 325.00 

East  Hubbardton 125.00 

East  Poultney 150 .  00 

Middletown  Springs 200 .  00 

Pownal 109.66 

Shaftsbury 200 .  00 

Wallingford 150 .  00 

West  Rutland 175 .  00 

Groton 50.00 

Sharon 113.03 

Websterville 100 .  00 

Brookline 95 .  83 

East  Dover 100 .  00 

Guilford 78.00 

Halifax 150.00 

Jamaica 182 .  00 

Putney 103.00 

Readsboro 150 .  00 

South  Windham 1 13 .  90 

Whitingham 100.00 

W^est  Dummerston 75 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 200 .  00 

Heartwellville 450 .  00 

Andover 147 .  15 

East  Wallingford 200 .  00 

Felchville 104.00 

Mount  Holly 100 .  00 

Perkinsville 100 .  00 

South  Londonderry 100 .  00 

Weston 191.00 

Windsor 175 .  00 


$7,259.13 


$7,216.68 


674 


HISTORY    OF    THE   BAPTISTS   IN    VERMONT 


1910. 

East  Charlotte $  11^2 .  50 

Lincoln 100. 00 

Panton 100.00 

Vergennes 212.50 

Whiting 75.00 

Derby 300.00 

EastHardwick 36.00 

Hardwick 50.00 

Jay 100.00 

St.  Johnsbmy 300 .  00 

Norton  Mills 62.50 

North  Troy 100.00 

East  Eno.sburg 91-66 

Essex 98.75 

Essex  junction 149 .  40 

Georgia  Plain 100.00 

Jericho ■•  111  '^S 

Johnson 162.50 

Montgomery  Center 131 .50 

St.  Albans 300.00 

Westford 152.28 

East  Hubbardton 106 .  00 

East  Poultney 162 .  50 

Middletown  Springs 200  00 

Pittsford 32.00 

Pownal 100.00 

Shaftsbury 185.00 

Wallingford 137.50 

West  Rutland 118.75 

Sharon 72.91 

Groton 02.50 

Web.ster%alle 142.50 

Brookhne 150.00 

East  Dover 137. .50 

Guilford 80.00 

Halifax 150.00 

Jamaica 162.00 

Heartwellvillc 450  00 

Putney 162.50 

Read,sboro 150.00 

South  Windham 150 .  00 

West  Dummerston "•> .  00 

West  Wardsboro 200  00 

Whitingham 88 .  00 

Andover 150.00 

East  Wallingford 174 .  57 

Felchville 116.00 

Mount  Holly 95.00 

PerkinsviUe 100. 00 


South  Londonderry $    100 .  00 

Weston 1.50.00 

Windsor 168.32 


$7,174.89 


1911. 

East  Charlotte $  100 .00 

Lincoln 100.00 

Panton 200.00 

Vergennes 200 .  00 

Derby 200.00 

Hardwick 200.00 

Jay 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 300.00 

Norton  Mills 75 .  00 

Newport  Centre 89 .  00 

North  Troy 100.00 

East  Swanton 

Essex 125.00 

East  Enosburg 100 .  00 

Essex  Junction 184. 66 

Georgia  Plain 108  33 

Jericho 125.00 

Montgomery  Center 150  00 

St.  Albans 300.00 

Westford 250.00 

East  Hubbardton 125 .  00 

East  Poultney 200 .  00 

Ira 50.00 

Middletown  Springs 50 .  00 

Pittsford 50.00 

Shaftsbury 200.00 

Wallingford 150.00 

West  Rutland 150.00 

East  Bethel 

Groton 50.00 

Websterville 150.00 

Brookline 150.00 

East  Dover 125.00 

Guilford 100.00 

West  Halifax 150.00 

Jamaica 237  50 

Heartwellville 241 .  62 

Putney 150.00 

Readsboro 137.25 

South  Windham 150 .  00 

W'est  Dummerston 75 .  00 

West  Wardsboro 200 .  00 


HISTORY   OF   THE   BAPTISTS    IN    VERMONT 


675 


Whitingham $    204 .  00 

Andover 130 .  75 

East  Walling-ford 175 .  00 

Felchville 104.00 

Mount  Holly 105.78 

Perkinsville 100.00 

South  Londonderry 100.00 

Weston 130.75 

Windsor 175 .  00 


$7,169.64 


1912. 

East  Charlotte $     100.00 

Lincoln 131.25 

Panton 95.00 

Vergennes 190.00 

Derby 200.00 

Hardwick 150.00 

Jay 100.00 

St.  Johnsbury 250.00 

Norton  Mills 100 .  00 

Newport  Centre 145 .66 

North  Troy 150.00 

East  Swanton 162 .  44 

Essex 131.25 

East  Enosburg 95 .  33 

Essex  Junction 300 .  00 

Georgia  Plain 91.00 

Jericho 131.25 

Montgomery  Center 125 .00 

St.  Albans 383.28 

We-stford 600.00 


East  Hubbardton $ 

East  Poultney 

Ira 

Middletown  Springs 

Pittsford 

Shaftsburj' 

Wallingford 

West  Rutland 

East  Bethel 

Groton 

Websterville 

Brookline 

East  Dover 

Guilford 

West  Halifax 

Jamaica 

Heartwellville 

Putney 

Readsboro 

South  Windham 

West  Dummerston 

West  Wardsboro 

\Miitingham 

Andover 

East  Wallingford 

Felchville 

Mount  Holly 

Perkinsville 

South  Londonderry 

Weston 

Windsor 


150 . 00 
200.00 

50.00 
176.40 

75.00 
200.00 
127.00 
150.00 

25.00 

50.00 
150.00 
150,00 
125.00 
100.00 
150.00 
250.00 

96.66 
150.00 
150.00 
150.00 

75.00 
200.00 
176.00 
150.00 
164.75 
104.00 
116.00 
100.00 
100.00 
200.00 
228.00 


Total  appropriations, . 


$  7.920 .  27 
.$167,194.11 


INDEX 


Abott,   Rev.  Stephen  Gano,  214,   245, 

379. 
Abby,  Rev.  P.  C,  290,  368,  379,  412. 
Adams,  Rev.  P.  S.,  207. 
Adams,  Rev.  S.,  64,  254. 
Adams,  Rev.  Thomas,  64,  86,  361. 
Addison,  13,  75,  121,  122,  129,  134. 
Addison  Association,  119  (history),  142, 

169,  452. 
Adreon,  Rev.  Edwin,  388. 
Adventism,  124,  135,  147,  150. 
Ainsworth,  Rev.  E.,  242. 
Albany,  323. 

Aldrich,   Rev.   Leonard,   86,    109,   218. 
Aldrich,  Rev.  Jonathan,  322. 
Aldrich,  Rev.  Sidney  E.,  219,  378. 
Aldrich,  Rev.  Tristram,  211. 
Alger,  Rev.  N.  VV.,  278,  322,  490. 
Alger,  Rev.  R.  S.,  215. 
Allen,  Hon.  Alanson,  601. 
Allen,  Rev.  A.,  272. 
Allen,  Rev.  B.  B.,  135,  149. 
Allen,  Rev.  E.  W.,  150. 
Allen,  Rev.  Henry,  91. 
AUen,  Rev.  Ira  M.,  442,  503. 
Allen,  Hon.  Ira  C,  601. 
Allen,  Rev.  J.  C,  264. 
Allyn,  Rev.  Lewis,  194,  196,  209. 
Ambrose,    Rev.    Samuel's    Missionary 

Journey,  56. 
Ambrose,  Rev.  Samuel,  225,  237,  285. 
American  Sunday  School  Union,  153. 
Ames,  Rev.  Nathan,  194,  206,  216. 
Amherst,  14. 

Amsden,  Rev.  Richard,  145,  276. 
Amsden,  Mrs.  Nancy,  276. 
Anderson,  Rev.  S.  H.,  381. 
Andem,  Rev.  James,  379. 


Andover,  183,  225,  226,  249,  256  (his- 
tory). 
Andrews,  Rev.  Cyrus,  52. 
Andrews,  Rev.  Elisha,  43,  264,  335,  336, 

337,  344,  353,  520,  522. 
Andrews,  Rev.  Emerson,  207,  255. 
Andrews,  Rev.  Lemon,  67. 
Andrews,  Mrs.  S.  A.,  500. 
Andrews,  Rev.  Titus,  25. 
Angier,  Rev.  Aaron,  119,  125,  134,  1.35, 

263,  394,  460,  543,  549. 
Anti-Saloon  League,   501. 
Anti-Slavery  Discussion,  462. 
Apsey,  Rev.  W.  S.,  103. 
Archibald,  Rev.  S.  H.,  10,  11,  25,  68,  194, 

111.  125,  251,  492,  497,  .505. 
Archibald,  Rev.  T.  H.,  10,  11,  69,  82, 

83,  128,  136,  145,  148,  1.56,  231,  234, 

265,  280,  479,  480,  .500,  516,  146,  .549, 

555. 
Archibald,  Rev.  H.,  197,  223. 
Arlington,  15,  79,  116,  443,  448. 
Arms,  Rev.  A.  L.,  364,  409,  411. 
Arms,  Rev.  G.  W.,  367,  381,  386,  388. 
Arnold,    Rev.    Arteraas,    86,    154,    264, 

306,  311. 
Arthur,   Chester,  444. 
Arthur,   Rev.    William,   349,   371,   .388, 

390,  409,  444. 
Ashton,  Rev.  Edward,  85,  409,  411. 
Ashton,  Rev.  J.  M.,  147. 
Ashley,  Thomas,  94. 
Ashley,  Isaac,  94. 
Athem,  Rev.  D.  W.,  217. 
Atkinson,  Rev.  G.  A.,  198. 
Aubert,  Rev.  Adolph,  214. 
Austin,  Rev.  Linus,  193,  194,  212,  213, 

214,  148,  429. 


678 


INDEX 


AuxiliarygSunday  School  Unions,  503. 
Avery,  W.  H.  H.,  D.  D.,  415,  501. 

Babcock,  Rev.  O.  W.,  367,  372,  387. 

Babcock,  Rev.  Sherman,  137. 

Bailey,  Rev.  Alvin,  319,  120. 

Bailey,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  232. 

Bailey,  Rev.  Lansing,  63. 

Baker,  Rev.  C.  L.,  219. 

Baker,  Elder,  206. 

Baker,  Rev.  H.  V.,  200,  219,  289. 

Baker,  Rev.  Lucius,  264. 

Baker,  Rev.  Reuben,  83. 

Baker,  Rev.,  19,  233. 

Baker,  Rev.  W.  E.,  215,  264,  276. 

Baldwin,  Miss  Abby,  500. 

Baldwin,  Rev.  George  C,  Jr.,  103. 

Baldwin,  Rev.  Henry,  102. 

Baldwin,  Rev.  Thomas,  225,  230,  231. 

Baldwin,   Rev.   W.   R.,   268,   319,   320, 

388,  452,  455,  543,  544. 
Baldwin,  Rev.  J.  D.,  387,  409,  451. 
Ball,  Rev.  A.  H.,  245. 
Ball,  Rev.  Eli,  194,  213. 
Ball,  Rev.  Mason,  213. 
Ballard,  Rev.  Joseph,  348,  358. 

Ballou,  Mrs.  L.  A.,  594. 

Baltimore  and  Weathersfield,  249. 

Bamberg,  Rev.  J.  L.,  296. 

Bannister,  Rev.  Cranmer,  64. 

Barford,  (Canada),  315. 

Barker,  Rev.  I.  H.,  531. 

Barker,  Rev.  J.  W.,  106. 

Barker,  Rev.  L.  B..  347. 

Bamett,  Rev.  F.,  97,  592. 

Barnes,  Lawrence,  404,  535,  536,  549, 
602. 

Barre  Association,  285,  455. 

Barre,  225,  443,  497,  505,  506. 

Barre  and  Plainfield,  300. 

Bartlett,  Rev.  VV.  P.,  251. 

Bartlett,  Rev.  E.  M.,  91,  214. 

Bartlett,  Rev.  Gardner,  320. 

Batchelder,  Rev.  Matthew,  65,  66. 

Bayliss,  Rev.  E.  L.,  275. 


Beach,  Rev.  James  E.,  247. 

Bean,  Rev.  O.  N.,  379,  412. 

Beavins,  Rev.  W.,  202. 

Beckwith,  Rev.  Amos,  194,  198,  209. 

Bedell,  Rev.  Abram,  302. 

Beecher,  Rev.  Austin,  428. 

Beecher,  Rev.  John  Sidney,  391,  582. 

Beecher,  Rev.  D.,  97,  111. 

Beecher,  Rev.  G.  F.,  197. 

Beeman,  Rev.  J.  H.,  212. 

Beeman,  Rev.  James,  366,  367,  372,  388, 

406, 465. 
Beeman,  Rev.  Madison,  372.  380. 
Bemis,  Rev.  Abner,  180,  194. 
Bellondi,  Rev.  A.  B.,  500. 
Bellows  Falls,  277,  496. 
Benedict,  Rev.  L  H.,  296. 
Bennington,    First    Congregational 
Church,  14. 

Bennington,  15,  22,  44,  76,  102  (history), 
163,  445,  487,  496. 

Bennington,    North,    14,    44,    64,    107 
(history). 

Bennington  Second  Church,  76. 

Bennett,  Rev.  Daniel,  385. 

Bennett,  Rev.  Francis,  23. 

Bennett,  Rev.  Jonas  S.,  197,  201,  211. 

Bennett,  Rev.  R.  M.,  21. 

Bennett,  Rev.  Robert  R.,  21. 

Benedict,  Rev.  R.  S.,  567. 

Benson,  91,  163. 

Bentley,  Rev.  Ira,  150. 

Berry,  Rev.  J.  E.,  198,  210,  323,  426. 

Berkshire,  344,  345,  349,  408  (history), 
420,  495. 

Berry,  Rev.  Charles,  106. 

Bethel,  285,  292,  429. 

Bevans,  Rev.  William,  323. 

Bickford,  Rev.  F.  S.,  202,  203. 

Bigelow,  Rev.  J.  F.,  413,  483. 

Birdsall,  Evangelist,  101. 

Bishop,  Rev.  W.  H.,  258,  282,  223. 

Bixby,  Rev.  D.  C,  347,  364,  373,  376. 

Bixby,  Rev.  G.  W.,  386,  387,  393. 

Bixby,   Rev.   Moses   H.,   D.   D.,     376, 
545,  583. 


INDEX 


679 


Bixby,  Deacon  E.  M.,  107. 

Bjork,  Rev.  John,  502. 

Black  River  Academy,  235,  542. 

Blacklock,  Rev.  J.  F.,  206. 

Blaisdell,  Rev.  C.  85,  282,  373,  389. 

Blaisdell,  Rev.  W.  S.,  83,  153. 

Blandin,  Mary  E.,  581,  584. 

Blake,  Rev.  S.  A.,  557. 

Bliss,  Rev.  George  B.,  194,  197. 

Blood,  Rev.  Caleb  18,  23,  37,  39,  40, 

42,  43,  72,  89,  110,  161. 
Blood,  Caleb,  Missionary  Journey,  48. 
Blood,  Rev.  Friend,  303,  304,  309. 
Boardman,  Rev.  A.  W.,  289,  320,  324, 

323. 
Boardman,  Rev.  W.  S.,  223,  257. 
Boisvert,  Rev.  Antoine,  421. 
Bolls,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  194. 
Bolton,  315,  329,  332,  443. 
Bolton,  West,  411. 
Boody,  Rev.  Joseph,  608. 
Bosworth,  G.  W.,  D.  D.,  533. 
Bottom,  Hon.  Nathan  H.,  63. 
Boughton,  Rev.  F.  T.,  268. 
Bowser,  Rev.  A.  J.,  215. 

Bowers,  Rev.  G.  W.,  356. 

BojTiton,  Rev.  A.  L.,  376. 

Boynton,  Rev.  Beeman,  249,  250. 

Boynton,   Rev.   Da\-id,   347,   367,   372, 
373,  374. 

Boynton,  Rev.  G.  E.,  258,  282. 

Bracq,  Rev.  John  C,  404. 

Bradford,  305,  (history),  443. 

Bradley,  Rev.  Joshua,  57,  235,  285. 

Bradshaw,  Rev.  Richard,  368,  379. 

Briarly,    Rev.    Benjamin,   8,    125,    237, 
250,  591. 

Braintree,  165,  285,  291,  299. 

Brai&lin,     Rev.   Gibbs,    101,   501,   505, 
102. 

Braisted,  Rev.  W.  E.,  291. 

Braker,  Rev.  J.  S.,  405. 

Brandon  Academy,  235,  448,  537,  538. 

Brandon,  44,  75,  76,  89,  109,  165,  168, 
169,  496. 


Brattleboro,  13,  177,  187,  188,  189,  190, 
207     (history),    208,    210,    215,    458, 
461. 
Brattleboro,  West,  188,  208. 
Brayton,   Rev.   Darlin  L.,  missionary, 

94,  582. 
Brewster,  Rev.  Timothy,  110. 
Brewster,  Rev.  W.,  200,  206. 
Bridgewater,  225. 
Bridport,  77,  78,  125,  132,  156  (history), 

442. 
Briggs,  Rev.  C.  A.,  479. 
Briggs,  Rev.  Erastus,  211. 
Briggs,  Rev.  T.  B.,  212. 
Brigham,  Miss  Ada,  596. 
Brigham,  Miss  Zenobia,  596. 
Brink,  J.  H.,  511. 
Bristol,    119,    122,    125,    128,    129,    169, 

332,  442. 
Bromley,  Julia  C,  missionary,  587. 
Brookfield,  315,  318. 
Brookline,  182,  187,  190,  198    (history). 
Brooks,  Miss  Grace,  279,  510. 
Brooks,  Evangelist,  213,  221. 
Brooks,  Rev.,  223,  282. 
Brown,  Rev.  Amasa,  83,  137,  390. 
Brown,  Rev.  C.  H.,  268. 
Brown,  Rev.  E.  E.,  83. 
Brown,   Nathan,   D.    D.,   70,    82,   211, 

230,  449,  580,   592. 
Brown,  Eliza,  (Mrs.  Nathan),  450. 
Brown,  Miss  Mary,  596. 
Brown,  Rev.  J.  S.,  83,  415,  509. 
Brown,  Rev.  S.  F.,  264,  278,  490,  514, 

563,  546. 
Brown,  Rev.  Solomon,  74,  52,  110. 
Brown,  Rev.  Thomas,  362,  365,  367. 
Broxholm,  Rev.  Thomas,  106. 
Bruce,  Rev.  Mans6eld,  181,   187,   192, 
197,  202,  203,  209,  211,  213,  502,  538. 
Bruce,  Rev.  J.  E.,  97. 
Bruler,  Elder,  206. 

Bryant,  Rev.  J.  C,  346,  357,  372,  378. 
Buck,  Rev.  George,  280. 
Budget  Plan,  516. 


680 


INDEX 


Buckingham,  Rev.  Charles,  219. 
Bucklin,  Rev.  Benjamin,  178, 187,  196, 

197. 
Bucklin,  Rev.  Isaac,  88,  127,  155. 
Buffum,  Rev.  H.  E.,  210,  212. 
Bullard,  EHzabeth,  582. 
Bullard,  Rev.  E.  B.,  88,  583,  585. 
Bullard,  Rev.  E.,  148. 
Burbank,  Rev.  Aaron,  194,  197. 
Burbank,  Rev.  Moses,  274,  542. 
Burchard,  Rev.  Horace,  107,  208,  254. 
Burke,  314,  318,  315,  324. 
Burlington.    328,    346,    347,    391,    398, 

458,  482,  487. 
Bumham,    Rev.    Edward,    evangelist, 

170. 
Bumham,  Rev.  E.  M.,  194. 
Bumham,  Rev.  M.,  8. 
Burr,  Rev.  B.  F.,  90. 
Burroughs,  Rev.  Amos,  22. 
Burrows,  Rev.  D.,  246,  275,  276. 
Burrows,  Rev.  R.  A.,  280. 
Burrows,   Rev.   Baxter,   237,   254,   258, 

274,  321,  531. 
Burrows,  Rev.  D.  W.,  82,  319,  323. 
Burrington,  Rev.  H.  H.,  402,  405. 
Burwell,  Rev.  I.  H.,  389,  390,  484. 
Burwell.  Rev.  I.  D.,  200,  550. 
Butler,  Rev.  C.  J.,  83. 
Butler,   Rev.   Ephraim,    139,    158,   353, 

354,  365,  370,  372,  391. 
Butler,  Rev.  Ezra,  331.  332,  344,  392, 

393,  394.  427,  429,  479. 
Butler,  Rev.  Joel,  179,  241. 
Butler,  Rev.  T.  M.,  217. 
Buzzell,  Rev.  A.  S.,  210. 
Buzzoll,  Rev.  H.  A.,  296,  315. 
Buzzell,  Rev.  J.  T.,  322,  323,  368,  378, 

379,  380,  381,  384. 

Buzzell,  Rev.  J.  W.,  321,  324,  373,  378, 

380,  389,  406,  409. 
Buzzell,  Rev.  John,  608,  609. 

Cady,  Rev.  A.  W.,  108. 
Cain,  Rev.  Thomas,  245. 


Calais,  300. 

Caldwells  Manor,  225,  231,  362. 

Caldicott,  Dr.,  552. 

Calhoun,  Rev.  H.  A.,  295. 

Call,  Rev.  Joseph,  139,  142,  231,  232, 

329,  331,  332,  344,  358,  362,  372,  386, 

392,  398,  521. 
Cambridge,  Rev.  A.  A.,  156. 
Cambridge,  Rev.  C.  C,  137,  142. 
Cambridge,    225,    328,    329,    332.    344, 

345,  346,  351,  357,  361,  442. 
Cameron,      Rev.     .John,     415. 
Campbell,  Rev.  G.  W.,  379,  412. 
Campbell,  Rev.  Alexander,  82. 
Campbell,  Rev.  H.  G.,  320,  323. 
Carpenter,  Benjamin,  (Lieutenant  Gov- 
ernor) 178. 
Carpenter.  Rev.  C.  H.,  480,  485. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  H.  F.,  148. 
Carpenter.  Col.  Chester,  543. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  Joseph,  84,   106,   196, 

202,  271. 
Caipenter,  Rev.  A.  M.,  82. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  B..  119. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  F.  E.,  201. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  George,  197,  223,  294. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  Mark,  189.  193.  201, 

202,  207,  219,  480. 
Carpenter,  Rev.  James.  187,  192,  194, 

211,  214. 
Carey,  Rev.  R.  H.,  323. 
Carr.  Rev.  \V.  C,  245. 
Carr,  Rev.  S.  H.,  153. 
Carter,  Rev.  John.  91. 
Case,  Rev.  Anthony,  119,  136,  138,  213. 
CastelHni,  Rev.  G.  B.,  508. 
Causes  of  decline  in  churches,  459. 
Cavendish,    114,    182,    225,    226,    237, 

249,  261,  272. 
Chamberlain,  Rev.  Calvin,  43,  52,  79, 

82,  90,  91,  117. 
Chamberlain.  Rev.  Edmond.  428. 
Chamberlain,  Rev.  Henry,  74,  135,  138. 

140,  142,  146,  148,  52,  206,  218. 
Chamberlain,  Rev.  Simeon,  216,  197. 


INDEX 


681 


Chambers,  Rev.  G.  H.,  200,  367. 
Chandler,  Rev.  A.  J.,  64,  322. 
Chandler,    Rev.    George   C,   250,   534, 

590. 
Chapin,  Rev.  Pelatiah,  (Congregation- 

aHst),  243. 
Chaplin,  Rev.  A.  Judson,  103. 
Chaplin,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  522,  580. 
Chapman,  Alexander  Meetings,  151. 
Charleston,  315. 
Charlotte,  119,  122,  125,  129,  130,  139, 

154  (history). 
Chase,  Rev.  G.  S.,  378,  381,  394,  406, 

409,  540. 
Chase,  Rev.  Ira,  534. 
Chase,  Rev.  J.  K.,  310. 
Chase,  Rev.  Peter,  139,  379,  385,  389, 

390,  391,  399,  409,  428,  502. 
Chelsea,  225,  226,  309,  442. 
Chelsea  and  Tunbridge,  309. 
Cheney,  Rev.  M.,  325,  326,  379,  400. 
Chesboro,  Rev.  J.  Wallace,  279,  300. 
Chester,  169,   182,  183,  184,  205,  225, 

226,  245,  249,  253,  264,  266,  272,  482. 
Chicago,    Theological    Seminary,    Ver- 
mont's part  in  its  origin,  535,  536. 
Chick,  Rev.  A.  S..  280. 
Chickering,  Rev.  L.,  282. 
Child,  Rev.  J.  B.,  275. 
Childs,  Rev.  Isaac,  65. 
Child,  Rev.  C.  E.,  200. 
Chipman,  Rev.  A.,  251. 
Chipman,  Rev.  Holmes,  368. 
Christian  Stewardship,  575. 
Choate,   Rev.   Stephen,   163,    194,   206, 

212,  217,  218,  221,  233. 
Church,  Rev.  Pharcellus,  96,  428,    429, 

433,  487. 
Church,  Rev.  V.,  106. 
Churchill,  Rev.  A.,  7,  8,  11. 
Churchill,     Rev.     Samuel,      missionary 

journey,  56,  148,  314,  318,   319,  325, 

344,  390. 
Clark,  Rev.  C.  E.,  202,  203. 
Clark,  Rev.  E.  L.,  376. 


Clark,  Rev.  Harvey,  348,  385,  443. 

Clark,  Rev.  J.  K.,  108. 

Clark,  Deacon  John,  322. 

Clark,  Rev.  Norman,  85,  98,  194,  206. 

Clark,  Rev.  William  J.,  405,  408. 

Clark,  Rev.  Volney,  148. 

Clement,  Rev.  J.,  265,  304. 

Clones,  Rev.  W.  J.,  296. 

Clough,  Rev.  G.  W.,  245,  265,  294,  295. 

Clough,  Mary  E.,  295,  323. 

Claflin,  Rev.  Jehiel,  303. 

Claremont,  225. 

Clarendon,  24,  31,  71,  114,  163. 

Clarendon,  West,  32,  114,  115  (history). 

Clarendon,  North,  101. 

Clarendon,  East,  442. 

CHfton,  (Canada),  315. 

Colchester,    137,    328,    345,    346,    349, 

351,  377,  494. 
Cole,  Rev.  Luther,  350,  380,  388,  406. 
Colesworthy,  Rev.  G.,  212,  215. 
Collins,  Rev.  Elisha,  139. 
Collins,    Nathan    G.,    evangelist,    197, 

214. 
Colportage,  510. 
Coombs,  Rev.  I.  W.,  145,  368,  373,  379, 

416. 
Combe,  Rev.  N.,  110,  151. 
Combes,   Rev.   Simeon,   194,  205,   206, 

220. 
Compton,  Rev.  T.  M.,  201,  202,  254, 

280,  315,  416. 
Compton,  Rev.  M.,  64,  109. 
Conant,  John,  90,  429,  431,  536,   538, 

601. 
Conant,  Rev.  F.,  219. 
Conant,  Rev.  Thomas,  D.  D.,  534. 
Concentration  of  effort  on  the  Theo- 
logical Department  of  New  Hampton 

Institution,  N.  H. 
Concord,  314. 

Conover,  Rev.  Edward,  68,  103. 
Conrad,  Rev.  J.  R.,  258,  282. 
Constitution  of  State  Convention,  438, 

439. 


682 


INDEX 


Constantine,  Rev.  Alfred  A.,  581. 
Constantine,  Rev.  C.  C,  67,  258,  280. 
Constitution  of  Auxiliary  Societies,  422. 
Contois,  Rev.  Philip,  212. 
Contributions     to     Woman's     Baptist 

Foreign  Mis.sion  Society,  597. 
Contributions     to     Woman's     Baptist 

Home  Mission  Society,  595. 
Convention,  Anniversary,  1912,  518. 
Convention,  Speakers,  517. 
Convention,  Circulars,  4.S0,  436. 
Convers,    Miss    Clara    A.,     missionary, 

255,  586. 
Cook,  Rev.  G.  L.,  367. 
Cook,  Rev.  R.  S.,  289,  381. 
Cook,  William,  536. 
Cooksley,  Rev.  D.,  382. 
Coon,  Rev.  Charles,  265,  271,  280,  368, 

483. 
Cooney,  Rev.  L.  A.,  107,  108,  114. 
Coops,  Rev.  I.  F.,  203. 
Corey,  Rev.  W.  G.,  251. 
Corrie,  Rev.  John,  364. 
Corinth,  301. 

Corinth,  Quarterly  Meeting  Free  Bap- 
tist, 618. 
Cornell,   Rev.   Joseph,   42,   52,   71,   79, 

81,  92,  115,  243. 
Cornwall,  119,  121,  126,  127,  131,  133, 

135,  136,  152,  155. 
Cornwall,  West,  129,  136,  137. 
Corpse,  Elder,  91. 
Cote,  Rev.  L.  O.  F.,  509,  510. 
Cottle,  Rev.  Jabes,  58,  233,  237,  244, 

301. 
Covell,  Rev.  I^muel,  18,  40,  42,  43,  52, 

54. 
Covell,  Rev.  Alanson,  148,  154. 
Cox,  Rev.  O.  E.,  109. 
Coventry,  314,  316,  318. 
Craft,  Rev.  E.  D.,  96,  148. 
Craftsbury,  314,  319,  339,  443. 
Crane,  Deacon  Willard,  10,  405,  498. 
Crane,  Rev.  Denzel  M.,  209,  2.50,  251, 

254. 


Crane,  D.  G.,  405. 
Craw,  Rev.  Joshua,  39,  41,  42. 
Cressey,  Rev.  I.  I.,  346,  393,  409. 
Cressey,   Rev.   J.,   346,   328,   364,   376, 

380. 
Crocker,  Rev.  Henry,  10,  11,  356,  360, 

373,  574. 
Crocker,  Rev.  W.,  202,  294. 
Croft,  Rev.  E.  O.,  212,  414. 
Crosby,  Rev.  C.  C.  P.,  426,  427. 
Cross,  Mrs.  Julia  (Putnam),  584. 
Crowley.  Rev.  J.  H.,  194,  223,  289. 
Crudgington,  Rev.  T.,  376. 
Cudworth,    Rev.    Nathaniel,    206,   209, 

250,  258,  274,  277,  563. 
Cull.   Rev.   Thomas,   60,   95,  111,  498, 

499. 
Culver,    Rev.    Phineas,   349,   363,    365, 

367,  377,  399. 
Culver,  Rev.  L.,  258,  300,  303. 
Cummings,  Rev.  Mark,  388,  532,  553. 
Cummings,  Miss  Emma  J.,  M.  D.,  588. 
Cummings,  Mrs.  J.  E.,  585. 
Cunningham,  Rev.  O.,  100,  112,  267. 
Curtis,  Rev.  L.  B.,  217. 
Gushing,  Rev.  N.  H.,  391. 
Cutler,  Rev.  David,  194,  199. 
Cutting,  Rev.  S.  S.,  237,  535,  537,  546. 

Dana,  Rev.  Nathan,  89,  92. 

Danby,  116  (history),  71. 

Danforth,  Rev.  A.  H.,  587. 

Daniels,  Rev.  C.  G.,  215. 

Danville    Association,    312,    314,    451, 

452,  455. 
Danville,  312,  329,  225,  318  (history). 
Davis,  Rev.  A.  A.,  367,  412. 
Davis,  Rev.  H.  H.,  378. 
Da\'is,  Rev.  A.  S.,  108. 
Davis,  Geo.  E.,  402,  509. 
Davis,  Rev.  H.  F.,  148,  150. 
Davis,  Deacon  Mial,  535,  536,  549,  603. 
Davis,  Mrs.  Mial,  595. 
Davis,  Rev.  Paul,  220,  Ucensed. 
Davidson,  Rev.  Prosper,  314,  320,  322, 

325,  425. 


INDEX 


683 


Davidson,  Rev.  Preserved,  314,  322. 
Davidsonism,  348,  416-419. 
Davidson,  Rev.  E.  E.,  evangelist,    291. 
Davison,  Rev.  Thomas,  86,  155,  378. 
Davison,  W.  A.,  D.  D.,  11,  66,  156,  208, 

215,  501,  502,  512,  516,  517. 
Davison,  Rev.  Silas,  314,  321,  322,  325, 

543, 
Day,  Rev.  Arthur,  64,  66. 
Day,  Rev.  G.  B.,  88. 
Dayfoot,  Rev.  P.  C,  64,  98. 
Dealtry,  Rev.  Charles  W.,  219,  254. 
Denison,  Rev.  Nathan,  8,  326,  545. 
Dean,  Rev.  Benjamin,  267. 
Dean,  Rev.  F.,  154. 
Dean,  Rev.  H.  F.,  279. 
Dean,  Rev.  M.   N.,  125. 
Dean,  M.  N.,  536. 
Dean,  Rev.  Peter,  429. 
Dean,  Deacon  P.  VV.,  600. 
Dean,  Rev.  Silas,  265,  294. 
Dean,  Rev.  W.  H.,  325. 
Derby,  church,  314,  326,  344. 
Derby,  academy,  316,  456,  485. 
Derby,  West,  315. 
Dewey,  Rev.  Jedediah,  14. 
Dexter,  Rev.  S.  K.,  103,  245. 
Dexter,  Rev.  E.  K.,  381. 
DeWitte,  Rev.  G.,  381,  482. 
Dickey,  Robert,  605,  606,  309. 
Dike,  Rev.  Amos,  385. 
Dixville,  315. 
Dodge,  Amos,  323. 
Dodge,  Rev.  C.  R.  B.,  68,  279,  325,  500, 

501. 
Dodge,  Rev.  C.  W.,  145. 
Dodge,  Rev.  J.  A.,  154,  158. 
Dodge,  Rev.  Hiram,  401,  405. 
Dodge,  Rev.  John  R.,  71,  82,  119,  254, 

428,  429,  431. 
Doloway,  Rev.  E.  E.,  245. 
Donovan,  Rev.  J.  D.,  200. 
Dorrellites,  222. 
Dorset,  79,  91,  163,  212,  443. 
Dorset,  Rev.  J.  P.,  212. 


Dow,  Susan  C,  583. 
(Mrs.  M.  Bixby). 

Downs,  Rev.  E.  H.,  359,  457. 

Downs,  Rev.  N.  H.,  319,  543. 

Dover,  Quarterly  Meeting,   Free  Bap- 
tist, 645. 

Dover  Baptist  church,    178,   187.    188, 
190,  192,  203  (history),  222. 

Douglas,  Rev.  Henry  M.,  98,  210,  325. 

Dressier,  Rev.  F.,  206. 

Dresden,  434,  441,  443. 

Drew,  Elder,  247. 

Driver,  Rev.  J.  W.,  254. 

Driver,  Rev.  J.  M.,  154. 

Dummerston,  177,  179,  180,   185,   187, 
190,  191,  200,  201,  225. 

Dummerston,  West,  193. 

Dunham,  Rev.  Levi,  194,  101. 

Dunham,  443. 

Dunn,  Rev.  L.  A.,  D.  D.,  347,  354,  355, 
356,387,  404,  479,  481,  484,  534,  555. 

Dunn,  Rev.  A.  T.,  96,  97,  98. 

Dutcher,  Rev.  Elihu,  64. 

D wight.  Rev.  Daniel,  13. 

Dwyer,  Rev.  R.  O.,  88. 

Dwyer,  Rev.  Jeremy  H.,  138. 

Eager,  Rev.  E.  C,  322. 

Earle,  Rev.  E.  B.,  206,  223,  296. 

Earle,  Rev.  A.  B.,  evangelist,  90,    100, 
111,  169,  208,246,  265,  402,  482. 

Eastman,  Rev.  A.  W.,  136. 

Eastman,  Rev.   Samuel,   99,    115,   254, 
570. 

Eastman,  Rev.  Hezekiah,  87,  116. 

Eastman,  Rev.  T.  B.,  258,  282. 

Eaton,  (Canada),  315,  443. 

Edson,  Rev.  Ambler,  587. 

Education  Society,  Vermont  Branc  y- 
Northern  Baptist  Education  Society, 
447,  451. 

Education  Society  in  State  Convention, 
526. 

Education  Societies,  Ladies',  527. 

Education  Society  in  Leyden  Associa- 
tion, 525,  526. 


684 


INDEX 


Education  Society  in  Shaftsbury  Asso- 
ciation, 525. 

Education  Society  in  Vermont  Associa- 
tion, 523. 

Education  Society  in  Woodstock  Asso- 
ciation, 525,  534,  535,  580. 

Edwards,  Rev.  T.  R.,  155. 

Eggleston,  Rev.  A.  B.,  187,  194,  197, 
211,  223. 

Elliott,  Rev.  S.  L.,  68. 

Elliott,  Rev.  Joseph,  167,  194,  209,  212, 
226,  254,  266,  524,  582. 

Elliott,  Rev.  William,  233,  235,  247. 

Ellis,  Mrs.  Carter,  385. 

Elton,  Rev.  Romeo,  244. 

Ely,  Rev.  R.  M.,  216,  226,  246,  250, 
263,  265,  267,  281,  479. 

Emerson,  Rev.  Frederick,  212,  280.  379. 

Emery,  Rev.  S.  H.,  278. 

Emmons,  Rev.  Francis  W.,  363. 

East  Enosburg  Conference,  406. 

Enosburg,  340,  419,  493. 

Enosburg  Falls,  345,  346. 

East  Eno.sburg,  405  (history),  419. 

Engstrom,  Rev.  Charles  J.,  382. 

Enosburg,  Quarterly  Meeting,  Free 
Baptist,  617. 

Emery.  Rev.  W.  S.,  324. 

Essex,  158,  329,  344,  345,  346,  347,  351, 
367,  442. 

Essex  Junction,  347,  415,  489,  495. 

Estes,  Rev.  D.  F.,  83,  409,  534. 

Estes,  Rev.  H.  C,  549. 

Estee,  Rev.  S.  A.,  254. 

Esten,  Rev.  R.  B.,  157. 

Estey,  Rev.  H.  C,  379,  380,  383. 

Estey,  Col.  J.  J.,  209,  210,  492,  493, 
497,  500,  505,  564,  565,  567,  573,  550. 

Estey,  Deacon  Jacob,  210,  601. 

Evans,  Rev.  E.,  321. 

Eveleth,  Rev.  C.  H.,  98. 

Everett,  Rev.  S.  P.,  210. 

Ewer,  Rev.  Seth,  269,  271. 

Ewing,  Rev.  William,  244. 


Fairhaven    church,     44,    85,    88,    108, 

112  (history),  495. 
Fairfax,   166,  328,  329,  332,  335,  344, 

346,  351,  353,  357. 
Fairfax,  North,  346,  362,  386,  442. 
Fairfield  Association,  168,  345,  346,  350, 

455. 
Fairfield,  139,  228,  332,  344,  345,  357. 
Fairfield,  North,  346,  388  (history). 
Fairfield,  South,  346,  369. 
Fairman,  Rev.  J.,  223. 
Fairman,  Rev.  Charles,  219. 
Farnhara,  Miss  Susanna,  131. 
Farnsworth,  Hon.  J.  D.,  344,  369,  371, 

426,  429,  538,  599,  212. 
Farrar,  Rev.  C,  200,  219,  275. 
Farrar,  Rev.  J.  P.,  274,  280,  282. 
Fay,  Rev.  N.,  198. 
Felchville,  227,  252,  275  (history). 
Feller,  Madame,  423. 
Ferguson,    Rev.   J.    F.,   332,   367,    368, 

378,  381,  473. 
Ferguson,  C.  J.,  50,  567. 
Ferguson,  Rev.  R.  H.,  97. 
Femald,  Rev.  J.  C,  100. 
Ferris,  Rev.  Jabes,  36,  376. 
Ferrin,  Rev.  Clark,  545. 
Ferrisburg,      119,    126,    157     (history), 

175. 
Fletcher,  328,  345,  346,  349. 
Fletcher,  Judge  Horace,  193,  216,  235, 

237,  262,  264. 
Fletcher,  Rev.  Joshua,  D.  D.,  68. 
Fletcher,  Hon.  Ryland,  602. 
Fletcher,  Rev.  S.,  119,  153. 
Fletcher,    Rev.   Simon,    325,    354,    371, 

380. 
Flint,  Rev.  Moses,  154,  319,  323,  388, 

406,  464. 
Foote,  Rev.  A.  E.,  98,  112,  113,  268. 
Forbes,  Deacon  Abner,  235,  429,  433, 

441,  582,  596. 
Foreigners  in  Vermont,  507. 
Foshay,  Rev.  M.  R.,  214. 


INDEX 


685 


Fort  Dummer,  13. 

Ford,  Daniel  Sharp  Fund,  512. 

Ford,  Daniel,  87,  99,  512. 

Foster,  Rev.  N.  P.,  402,  405,  479,  483. 

Foster,  Rev.  F.  L.,  264. 

Foster,  Rev.  Joseph  C,  194,  207. 

Foster,  Rev.  Horace,  198,  214. 

Fox,  Miss  Sophia,  538. 

Fox,  M.  Z.,  251.  367,  373,  381. 

Field,  Miss  Bertha  I.,  588. 

Field,  Rev.  Moses,  7,  98,  194,  207,  531. 

Fillmore,  President  Millard,  36. 

Fish,  Rev.  Henry  Clay,  191,  536. 

Fish,  Rev.  P.  E.,  139. 

Fish,  Rev.  Samuel,  187,  191,  194,  195, 

196,  198. 
Fisk,  Rev.  G.  H.,  194,  203,  206,  221. 
Fisher,  Rev.  Ahiel,  91,  194,  209,  313. 
Fisher,  Rev.  Ezra,  250,  348,  589,  590. 
Fisher,  Rev.  G.  C,  258. 
Fisher,  Rev.  Lewis  D.,  318,  325,  543. 
P'isher,  Rev.  Nehemiah,   194,  202. 
Fisher,  Rev.  W.,  219. 
Fitts,  Rev.  WiUiam,  296. 
Franklin,  410. 

Franklin,  East,  347,  409,  410,  495. 
Franklyn,  Rev.  F.  J.,  109,  265. 
Frary,  Rev.  Milo,  150,  194,  197. 
Freeman,  Rev.  Rufus,  194. 
Freeman,  Rev.  Joseph,  64,  112,  149, 154, 

207,  226,  237,  258,  263,  266,  272,  275, 

277,  294,  325,  378,  479,  480,  481,  560, 

563,  540,  541,  570. 
Freeman,  Rev.  G.  W.,  151. 
Free  Masonry,  45,  46,  75,  120,  122,  144, 

147,  153,  288,  354,  364. 
Free  Will  Baptists,  605   (history),  178, 

199,  295,  310,  315. 
French,  Rev.  C.  N.,  254. 
French  Mis.sion,  347,  403,  460,  509. 
Frenyear,  Rev.     Cyprian  P.,     10,    11, 

85,  88,  180,  190,  206,  217. 
Frost,  Rev.  C.  H.,  277. 
Frost,  Rev.  C.  L.,  219,  275. 
Frost,  Rev.  S.  T.,  321,  325. 


Fuller,  Rev.  C.  D.,  135,  154,  166,  200, 

202,  213,  284,  367,  483. 
Fuller,  Rev.  C.  M.,  79,  88,  91,  433,  434. 
Fuller,  Deacon  E.  A.,  402,  479,  481. 
Fuller,  Rev.  E.  M.,  83,  290,  567. 
Fuller,  Rev.  Isaac,  93,  96,  98,  99,  441. 
Fuller,  Gov.  L.  K.,  209,  210,  324,  563, 

564,  549,  602  (sketch). 
Fuller,  Mrs.  L.  K.,  595. 
Fuller,  Mary  H.  (Mrs.  Brayton),  581. 
Fuller,  Rev.  M.  L.,  281. 
Fuller,  Rev.  O.  P.,  270,  271. 
Fuller,  Rev.  P.  W.,  294,  323. 
Fuller,  Rev.  William,  390. 
Furman,  Rev.  J.,  219. 

Gale,  Rev.  E.,  ordained,  376. 
Galusha,  Rev.  R.  M.,  549. 
Galusha,  Hon.  Truman,  600. 
Galusha,  Rev.  William,  408. 
Gambol,  Rev.  Joseph,  266. 
Gambrell,  Rev.  Joseph,  194,  197,  209, 

221,  443. 
Ganun,  Rev.  G.  J.,  106,  223. 
Gardner,  Rev.  Benjamin,  23,  64. 
Gardner,  Rev.  G.  N.,  64. 
General  Missionary  Convention,  234. 
Georgia,  71,  75,  94,  344,  345,  346,  358 

(history) . 
Gifford,  Rev.  D.  W.,  65. 
Gifts  of  Vermont  Baptists  to  Missions, 

579  sq. 
Gilbert,  A.  S.,  108,  322,  364,  381,  386, 

389,  390,  347. 
Gile,  Rev.  J.  H.,  108. 
Girley,  Rev.  Royal,  177. 
Glazier,  Rev.  Lyman,  84,  221. 
Glazier,  Rev.  N.  N.,  296. 
Goadby,  Rev.  John,  90,  108,  112,  505, 

588. 
Goddard,  Rev.  Josiah,   180,   194,  200, 

209. 
Goddard,  Grace  (Mrs.  Mansfield  Bruce), 

213. 
Godding,  Rev.  R.,  318,  320,  324,  543. 


686 


INDEX 


Going,  Rev.  Eliab,  237. 

Going,  Rev.  Ezra,  237. 

Going,  Rev.  James,  237. 

Going,   Rev.  Jonathan,    186,   234,   235, 

237,  263,  272,  534,  589. 
Goodell,  Rev.  Abner,  267. 
Goodall,  Rev.  J.  S...  271,  299,  384,  409. 
Goodnow,  Rev.  A.  E.,   189,   192,   203, 

214. 
Goodspeed,  Rev.  E.,  148,  394. 
Gookin,  Rev.  F.  W.,  111. 
Goshen  Gore,  442. 

Goss,  Zenas,  missionary  to  Turkey,  545. 
Goucher,  Rev.  G.  W.,  356. 
Gould,  Rev.  C.  E.,  215. 
Gould,  Rev.  E.  P.,  534. 
Gow,  Rev.  J.  B.,  208. 
Gow,  Rev.  J.  R.,  D.  D.,  208. 
Gow,  Mrs.  G.  B.,  596. 
Gowe,  Rev.  Phincas,  194. 
Graffam,  Rev.  A.  D.,  254. 
Grafton,  183,  225,  226,  247,  253,  434. 
Grand  Isle,  130. 
Grant,  Rev.  Daniel  H.,  194,   197,  202, 

203. 
Grant,  Rev.  James  W.,  68. 
Grant,  Rev.  William,  65,  82. 
Grand    Ligne   Mission,   419,    421,    422, 

423,  425,  426. 
Granville,  N.  Y.,  71,  75. 
Grattan,  Rev.  W.  V.,  97. 
Graves,  Rev.  Atwell,  272. 
Graves,  Rev.  Hiram  A.,  216. 
Graves,  Rev.  J.  R.,  250. 
Graves,  Rev.  Joseph,  186,  206,  216,  272, 

273,    379,    393,    400,    433,    434,    447, 

451,  560,  531,  525,  538. 
Graves,  Rev.  Samuel,  322. 
Graves,  Rev.  T.  C,  534. 
Gray,  Rev.  E.  H.,  125,  535,  536. 
Gray,  Rev.  Jacob,  368. 
Green,  Rev.  A.  B.,  590. 
Green,  Rev.  Charles,  219,  108. 
Green,  Rev.  C.  R.,  153. 
Green,  Rev.  Edward,  64,  278. 


Green,  Rev.  G.  N.,  202. 

Green,  Rev.  Henry,  67,  68,  83,  89,  110, 

119,  136,  153,  155,  271,  329. 
Green,  Rev.  J.  R.,  321,  323. 
Green,  Rev.  S.  H.,  537,  381. 
Greenleaf,  Rev.  E.  S.,  98,  319. 
Greenough,    Rev.    Edmund,    ordained 

134. 
Green  Mountain  Institute,  Fairfax,  557, 

578. 
Greensboro,    165,    314,    315,    319,    320, 

339. 
Greenwood,  J.  A.,  509. 
Greenwood,  Mrs.  J.  A.,  593. 
Gregory,  Rev.  W.  J.,  313. 
Gregory,  Rev.  Freeman,  390. 
Griggs,  Deacon  S.,  601. 
Griswold,  Rev.  Horace,  91.     . 
Groton,  (history),  294,  333. 
Gros,  H.  L.,  112,  505. 
Grown,  Rev.  William,  234,  697. 
Grow.  Rev.  Timothy,  291,  226,  433. 
Grow,  Rev.  Silas,  543. 
Grow,  Rev.  Marvin. 
Grusia,  Rev.  Thomas,  381. 
Grytzell,  Rev.  Daniel,  508. 
Guilford,  Rev.  W.   M.,  267,  275,  277, 

325,  452,  464. 
Guilford  churches,  177,   185,   187,   191, 

195  (history),  225. 
Gurnsey,  Rev.  Oliver,  181. 
Gurr,  Rev.  C.  G.,  246,  483. 
Gushee,  Rev.  W.  W.,  217. 
Gussman,  Rev.  WiUiam,  368,  416. 
Gustin,  Rev.  S.,  265,  393. 

Hafer,  Rev.  N.  T.,    evangelist,  66,  151, 

208,  215,  315,  506. 
Haff,  Rev.  H.  H.,  119,  155. 
Haines,  Rev.  Eugene,  101. 
Hamilton,  Rev.  W.  H.,  299. 
HaUfax,   36,    177,    180,    185,    187,    189, 

190,  198,  212,  535. 
Hall,  Rev.  C.  S.,  244. 
Hall,  Rev.  E.  D.,  ordained,  2158. 


INDEX 


687 


Hall,  Rev.  Elisha,  181,  197. 

Hall,  Rev.  H.  J.,  139. 

Hall.  Rev.  J.  P.,  346,  376,  393. 

Hall,  Rev.  Justus,  42. 

Hall,  Rev.  W.  D.,  145. 

Hall,    Rev.    Jeremiah,    103,    186,    306, 

354,  367,  376,  526. 
Hampton,  N.  Y.,  133. 
Hancock,  Rev.  William,  107,  110. 
Hapgood,  Rev.  Ephraim,  219. 
Hardwick,  14,  314,  315,  319,  339,  341. 
Hargrave,  Rev.  C.  E.,  376. 
Harpenden,  Rev.  Andrew,  61. 
Harrinian,  Rev.  A.  E.,  157. 
Harrington,  Rev.  William,  31,  73,  74, 

99,  106. 
Harris,  Rev.  Benjamin,  265. 
Hartford,  226. 

Hartland,  226,  314,  319,  227,  244. 
Hartwell,  Rev.  Foster,  202,  194,  211. 
Heartwellville,  188,  215. 
Harvey,  Rev.  A.,  151,  152,  322. 
Harvey,  Rev.  Curtis  K.,  538. 
Harward,  Elder,  106. 
Haskall,  Rev.  W.  S.,  missionary,  585. 
Haskall,  Rev.  D.,  7,  43,  52,  67,  99.  512, 

534. 
Haskins,  Miss  Amy,  S.  S.  worker,    510. 
Haskins,  Rev.  J.  R.,  254,  278. 
Hastings,  Rev.  Robert,  368,  375,  134. 
Hastings,  Rev.  Thomas,  379. 
Haswell,    Anthony,  102. 
Haswell,  Rev.  James,  missionary,  582. 
Hathaway,  Rev.  A.,  219. 
Hatfield,    Rev.   Edgar,    197,    303,    367, 

373. 
Hatley  and  Stanstead    (Canada),   315, 

344. 
Hawley,  L.  W.,  208,  564,  567. 
Hawley,  Mrs.  Laura,  597. 
Hayden,  Rev.  L.,  8,  9,  254,  267. 
Haynes,  Rev.  Edwin  M.,  68. 
Haynes,  Deacon  Jonathan,  87. 
Hayford,  Rev.  Joel  P.,  375,  379. 
Haynes,  Rev.  Sylvanus,  87,  88,  99,  211. 


Hayward,  Rev.  John,  148. 
Hazeltine,  Josiah  C,  teacher,  538. 
Heald,  Rev.  Albert,  276. 
Henry,  Rev.  Foster,  65,  107,  250,  551, 

264. 
Heilner,  Rev.  I.  I.,  324. 
Hebron.  79,  163. 

Hendee,  Rev.  David,  98,  122,  144. 
Herring,  Rev.  E.  A.,  278,  498,  91. 
Hibbard,  Rev.  L.  B.,  145,  254,  264,  352, 

483,  534. 
Hebbard,  Rev.  Jedediah,  179,  231,  232, 

364,  369,  382,  521. 
Hibbard,  Rev.  Asa,  194,  209. 
Hibbard,   Rev.   Charles,    10,    156,    169, 

246,    247,    452,    456,    484,    485,    487, 

488,  545,  549. 
Higbee,  Rev.  Jeremiah,  233,  234,  235, 

237,  256,  257. 
Hicks,  Rev.  Derby,  314,  318. 
Hicks,  Rev.  Perly,  178. 
Hill,  Rev.  G.  W.  F.,  215. 
Hill,  Rev.  Emery,  391. 
Hinesburg,      139,    140,    328,    346,    350, 

385,  389  (history),  445. 
Hinds,  Mrs.  J.  C,  593. 
Hines,  Rev.  Paul,   145,   148,   194,  202, 

198,  364.  371,  373. 
Historical    Society,    Vermont    Baptist, 

10,  11,  573  sq. 
Hobart,  Rev.A.S.  D.  D.,  534,  .537,  556. 
Hobart,  Deacon  Jonas,  365. 
Hobbs,  Rev.  L.  L.,  112. 
Hodge,  Rev.  C.  W.,  8,  62,  90,  123,  237, 

250,  447,  507. 
Hodge,  Rev.  C.  D.,  354. 
Hodge,  Rev.  H.  D.,  154,  296,  299,  372, 

376,  401,  405. 
Hodge,  Rev.  R.  D.,  367. 
Hodge,  Rev.  M.  G.,  8,  9,  246,  390,  545, 

552. 
Hodge,  Rev.  R.  A.,  135,  346,  372,  376, 

387,  406,  483. 
Holbrook,  Rev.  Linus  M.,  588. 
Holman,  Rev.  E.  M.,  145. 


688 


INDEX 


Holman,  Benjamin,  328. 

Holmes,  Rev.  Elkanah,    missionary  to 

Indians,  48. 
Holmes,  Rev.  L.  L.,  361. 
Holmes,  Stephen,  328,  344. 
Holton,  Dr.  H.  D.,  10,  209. 
Home  Mission  Gifts  from  Vermont,  579. 
Hooker,  Rev.  E.  P.,  112. 
Hopkmson,  Rev.  H.  M.,  223,  277,  3G7, 

586. 
Hopkins,  Rev.  F.  L.,  76. 
Hopkins,  Rev.  A.  J.,  277. 
House,  Rev.  A.  H.,  320,  321,  543. 
Hovey,  Rev.  N.  C,  320,  322. 
Hovey,  Rev.  Alvah,  D.  D.,  90,  285,  534, 

543,  546. 
Hovey,  Rev.  Samuel,  285,  304. 
Hovey,  Rev.  Horace  N.,  304,  308,  545, 

543. 
Howe,  Rev.  Phineas,  432,  187,  192,  202, 

209. 
Howard,  Rev.  John,  91,  149,  154. 
Howard,  Rev.  Leland,  84,  99,  102,  112, 

134,  158,  226,  244,  447,  560,  526,  552. 
Howard,  Rev.  T.  A.,  137,  149. 
Howard,  Rev.  Ziba,  188,  194,  201,  209. 
Hubbardton,  44,  76,  92  (history). 
Hull,  Rev.  J.  M.,  245. 
Hant,  Rev.  O.  R.,  377. 
Hunt,  Rev.  RoUa,  351. 
Hunt,  Rev.  Theodore,  277. 
Himtington,  Rev.  Adoniram  J.,  300. 
Huntington,  Rev.  E.,  285,  291,  299,  301, 

311. 
Huntington,  Rev.  Elijah,  351,  385,  433. 
Huntington,    Rev.   Jacob    P.,    85,    197, 

200,  202,  271,  300,  309,  345,  456. 
Huntington,  Rev.  Jay,  107,  165. 
Huntington,  385. 
Huntington,    Quarterly    Meeting    Free 

Baptist,  614,  619. 
Huntley,  Ellen,  Mrs.  Bullard,  583. 
Huntley,  Rev.  Jonathan,  190,  191,  194, 

200,  201,  209,  426. 
Huntley,  Rev.  Leland,  67,  90,  194,  206. 


Huntley,  Rev.  I.,  346,  366,   367,   379, 

387,  411. 
Huntoon,  Charlotte  M.,  568,  missionary. 
Hurlbutt,  Rev.  David,  64,  98,  362,  368. 
Hurlbert,  Rev.  E.  B.,  82,  84,  534. 
Hurlbut,  Rev.  E.,  145,  148,   149,   155, 

258,  272,  534. 
Hurlbut,  Rev.  W.  S.,  323,  385,  386, 

411,  412. 
Huse,  Rev.  A.  H.,  323. 
Hussey,  Rev.  A.  C,  325. 
Hutchinson,  Rev.  Elijah,  237,  244,  512, 

531. 
Hutchinson,  Rev.  William,  91. 
Hutchinson,  Rev.  Stephen,  103. 
Hyde,  Rev.  J.  P.,  545. 
Hydeville,   44,   76,    108   (histoiy),    112, 

460. 

Ide,  Rev.  George  B.,  58,  91,  138,  320, 

321,  450. 
Ide,  Rev.  John  Coventry,  56,  57,     58, 

314,  318,  320,  325,    380,     390,    393, 

426,  441,  442,  526. 
Ilsley,  Col.  Silas  A.,  10,  156. 
Ilsley,  Rev.  J.  W.,  149. 
Indians,  48,  49,  50,  51. 
Indians,  Letter  from  the  Tuscaroras,  53. 
Ingraham,  Rev.  Chester,  367,  368,  372. 
Ira  Church,  44,  75,  76,  83  (history),  113, 

115. 
Irasburg,  314,  322. 
Irving,  Rev.  J.  E.,  197. 
Irving,  Rev.  F.  W.,  101. 
Italian  Mission,  508. 
Ives,  Rev.  H.  M.,  111. 

Jacobs,  Rev.  Asa,  197. 

Jacobs,  Rev.  Bela,  45. 

Jacobs,  Rev.  Whitman,  195. 

Jackson,  Rev.  C.  W.,  279,  518. 

Jackson,  Mrs.  M.  L.,  382. 

Jamaica,   163,   183,    188,   204  (history), 

215,  217,  225,  226,  227,  249. 
James,  Rev.  R.  B.,  120. 


INDEX 


689 


Jefferson,  Rev.  A.  W.,  97,  lO'J. 

Jay,  495. 

Jericho,   137,   158,   345,   328,   346,   351, 

373  (history),  442. 
Jersey,  Rev.  F.  N.,  309,  317,  323. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Augustus  E.,  509. 
Johnson,  Rev.  C.  A.,  86,  112. 
Johnson,  Rev.  David,  179,  182,  184,  209. 
Johnson,  Rev.  J.  A.,  257,  364,  368,  413. 
Johnson,  Rev.  L.  S.,  414. 
Johnson,  Rev.  R.  C,  68,  251,  276,  483. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Samuel,  279. 
Johnson,  Mrs.  Truman,  583. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Solomon,  391. 
Johnson,  Rev.  Wakeman  O.,  125. 
Johnson,  Rev.  W.  G.,  49,  390,  391. 
Jones,  Rev.  Ahirah,  125,  136,  254,  278, 

379,  483. 
Jones,  Rev.  D.  M.,  254. 
Jones,  Rev.  Amzi,  136. 
Jones,  Rev.  F.  P.,  112. 
Jones,  Rev.  Increase,  149. 
Jones,  Rev.  J.  1).  E.,  107 
Jones,  Rev.  James,  197. 
Jones,  Rev.  Nelson,  200. 
Jones,  Rev.  N.  B.,  278. 
Jones,  Rev.  R.  J.,  546. 
Jones,  Rev.  R.  M.,  247. 
Jones,  Rev.  T.  Ellis,  86. 
Jones,  Rev.  Z.,  65,  93,  139. 
Judson,  Rev.  Adoniram,  D.  D.,  74. 
Judson,  Rev.  Edward,  534. 
Joy,  Rev.  Amariah,  209. 

Kallgren,  Rev.  A.,  208,  209. 

Keach,  Rev.  Israel,  8,  63,  125,  148. 

Kellam,  Rev.  Charles,  581. 

Kelley,  Rev.  Beriah,  36. 

Kelley,  Rev.  Edwin  D.,  missionary,  584. 

Kellogg,  Rev.  B.  F.,  66,  112,  145. 

Kelton,  Elder,  302. 

Kenniston,  Elder,  296. 

Kendrick,  Rev.  Ariel,  58,  233,  235,  25(i, 

263,  272,  375. 
Kendrick,  Rev.  A.  C,  D.  D.,  L.  L.  D., 

534. 


Kendrick,  Rev.  Clark,  74,  95,  99,  163, 

166,  523,  525,  287. 
Kendrick,  Rev.  James  R.,  534. 
Kendrick,   Rev.   N.,   43,   52,    126,    139, 

148,  155,  237,  581. 
Kenney,  Rev.  Isaac,  179,  194. 
Kenney,  Rev.  Moses,  179,  194. 
Kenyon,  Rev.  F.  T.,  215,  280. 
Kimball,  Rev.  John,  454. 
Kimball.  Rev.  L.  H.,  204. 
Kimball.  Robert  J.  M.,  299. 
Kimball,  Rev.  Willard,  266,  293. 
King,  Rev.  L.  W.,  265. 
Kingsbury,  Rev.  A.,  139,  145. 
Kingsbury,  Rev.  Washington,  106. 
Kingsbury,  Rev.  Samuel,  Jr.,  194,  201, 

203,  216,  226. 
Kingsley,  Rev.  S.  S.,  197,  282,  368. 
Kingston,  285. 
Kinney,  Rev.  L.  85,  149,  214,  158,  282, 

505. 
Kinsman,  Rev.  W.  R.,  101. 
Kinzie,    Rev.    W.    A.,    140,    145,    219, 

500,  516. 
Kirkham,  Rev.  O.  C,  83. 
Klein,  Rev.  F.  W.,  66. 
Knapp,  Elder,  104,  105. 
Knowles,  Rev.  Samuel,  299. 
Knowlton,  Rev.  Miles  J.,    missionary, 

226,  581. 
Kohler,  Rev.  William,  509. 
Kyle,  Rev.  John,  288,  304,  310. 

Lamoille  Missionary  Society,  350. 
Lamoille  Sunday  School  Union,  350. 
Lamoille  Education  Society,  350. 
Lamoille     Association,     Chapter     XX, 

page  343. 
Lamb,    Rev.   Amherst,    187,    188,    193, 

196,  197,  211. 
Lamb,  Rev.  David,  210. 
Lamson,  Rev.  Samuel,  244,  235. 
Lamson,  Rev.  Guy  C,   137,   148,  296. 
Lane,  Rev.  B.  I.,  216. 
Lane,    Rev.    Gershom,    263,    268,    271, 

280,   281. 


690 


INDEX 


Langley,  Rev.  T.  H.,  202,  203. 

Lasher,  Rev.  G.  W.,  533. 

Lathrop,  Rev.  Ruel,  216,  254,  263,  272, 

250. 
Lathrop,  Rev.  Samuel,  27. 
Latterman,  Rev.  J.  N.,  83. 
Lawrence,  Rev.  A.,  139. 
Lawson,  Rev.  G.  B.,  103,  516. 
Lawson,  Rev.  Samuel,  226. 
Lawton,  Rev.  W.  H.,  265. 
Leach,  Rev.  B.  N.,  136,  534. 
Leach,  Rev.  Beriah,  88. 
Leach,  Rev.  H.  C,  376. 
Leach,  Rev.  F.  A.,  382. 
Leathers,  Rev.  F.  S.,  68,  367. 
Leavitt,  Rev.  JuUus,  254,  255. 
Leavitt,  Rev.  H.  C,  271. 
Lee,  Rev.  J.  B.,  112. 
Legislation,  ecclesiastical,  173. 
Leger,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M.  A.,  evangeUsts, 

506. 
Leland,  Rev.  Aaron,  182,  184,  205,  219, 

226,  235,  236,  245,  246,  247,  256,  262, 

265,   271,    272,    292,    426,    429,    446, 

450,  538. 
Leland    &    Gray    Academy,    200,    216. 

235,  254,  456. 
Leland,  Rev.  John,  40,  64. 
Lewis,  Rev.  John  B.,  86. 
Lewis,  Rev.  H.  J.  S.,  111. 
Lewis,  J.  M.,  587,  588. 
Leverett,  Rev.  H.  C,  113. 
Leyden  Association,  39,  185,  190,    195, 

214,  337,  180. 
Leyden  Association,  452. 
Lincoln,  Rev.  Heman,  543. 
Lincoln,  Rev.  Warren,  103,  104. 
Littleheld,  Rev.  G.  A.,  86,  180. 
Lock,  Rev.  N.  B.,  D.  D.,  49. 
Londonderry,  79,  183,  226,  268,  history, 

443,  448. 
Lorimer,  Rev.  J.  G.  318,  360,  361,  364, 

544,  545. 
Lorimer,  Rev.  Addison  B.,  360. 
Lorimer,  Rev.  Albert  W.,  36. 


Low,  Rev.  A.  D.,  licensed,  385. 

Ludlow,  263,  271,   (history),  226,  448. 

Lunenburg,  314. 

Luther,  Rev.  R.  M.,  588,  595. 

Lyman,  Rev.  D.  W.,  158,  264. 

Lyme,  308. 

Lyon,  Rev.  J.  S.,  98,  112,  271. 

Lyon,  Rev.  E.  P.,  367,  373. 

MacGeorge,  Rev.  A.,  State  Missionary, 
89,  104,  103,  111,  113,  289,  290,  381, 
412,  492,  493,  494,  495,  496. 

Mace,  Rev.  J.  M.,  201. 

Maine  Baptist  Missionary  Society,  55, 
313. 

MacLellan,  Rev.  R.  I.,  376. 

Macomber,  Rev.  S.  B.,  .381. 

Maiden,  443. 

Manchester  church,  44,  49.  71,  76,  79; 
81,  92,  487. 

Manchester  Association,  68,  79. 

Mann,  Rev.  James,  190,  203,  204. 

Manning,  Rev.  Joel,  75.  226,  233,  234, 
237,  288,  261,  281. 

Marble,  Rev.  F.  E.,  501. 

Marks,  Rev.  David,  178,  204. 

Marlboro,  180,  185,  187,  190,  192,  202, 
213. 

MarHtt,   Mrs.  Charlotte  X.   (Worth), 
Mrs.  Nathan  Brown,  450. 

Marsh,  Rev.  William,  325,  344,  382, 
464. 

Marsh,  Rev.  J.  H.,  325,  369,  375. 

Marshall,  Mrs.  Ichabod,  97. 

Marshfield,   301. 

Martin,  Rev.  Zenas,  103,  104. 

Mason,  Rev.  Daniel,  318,  319,  429. 

Mason,  Rev.  Edward  S.,  268. 

Mason,  Rev.  E.  D.,  Ill,  296. 

Mason,  Mrs.  E.  D.,  595. 

Mason,  Rev.  Nathan,  81. 

Mason,  Rev.  Warren,  85. 

Massachusetts  Baptist  Missionary  So- 
ciety, 55,  58,  185,  285,  313. 

Mattison,  Rev.  Daniel,  150,  151 


INDEX 


691 


Mattison,  Rev.  Thomas,  19. 
Mattison,  Rev.  Isaiah,  61,  62,  117. 
Mattison,  Rev.  J.  H.,  208,  213. 
Mattison,  Rev.  L.  J.,  189,  505,  550. 
Maxfield,  Rev.  C.  C,    evangeUst,  506. 
Mayhew,  Rev.  W.  M.,  364. 
Mayhew,  Rev.  W.  H.,  149. 
McCready,  Rev.  H.  C,  83. 
McCullam,  Rev.  Jacob  S.,  246. 
McCuUar,  Rev.  M.,  186,  434. 
McCullar,  Rev.  William,  84,  99. 
McCuUoch,  Rev.  Nathaniel,   194,  209. 
McEwen,  Rev.  E.  H.,  206. 
McFarlan,  Rev.  F.  S.,  405. 
McLauchlin,  Rev.  Charles,  414,  415. 
McGloughhn,  Rev.  Albert,  368. 
McGranahan,   evangelist,    101. 
McHale,  Rev.  H.  S.,  200,  265,  323. 
Mclndoe  Falls,  307. 
McKean,  Rev.  Joseph,  217. 
McKenna,  Rev.  E.  J.,  90. 
McKillop,  Rev.  P.'  S.,  364. 
McLaurin,  Rev.  A.  B.,  245. 
Meacham,  Rev.  C.  D.  R.,  217,  322. 
Mears,  Rev.  Roswell,  74,  142,  332,  333, 

334,    335,    354,    357,    358,    361,    363, 

377,  428. 
Megregory.  Rev.  E.,  479. 
Merriam,  Rev.  Jonathan,  77,  90,    152, 

321,  428,433,  442,447,  479,  501,  502, 

559,  599. 
Merriam,  Rev.  Myron,  254,  264. 
Merrifield,  Rev.  E.  P.,  202,  219,  223, 

280,  310,  409,  411. 
Merriam,  Rev.  Charles  M.,  64. 
Merriam,  Rev.  Isaac,  90. 
Merriam,  Rev.  Milon,  90. 
Merrill,  Rev.  J.  W.,  310. 
Metcalf,  Rev.  H.  S.,  200. 
Meyer,  Rev.  A.,  289. 
Meyers,  Rev.  F.  W.,  103,  509. 
Meyers,  Rev.  R.,  67,  88,  206,  258. 
Meyers,  Rev.  S.  H.,  138,  280. 
Mick,  Rev.  W.  M-,  245. 
Middletown  Springs,  75,  76,  86  (history), 

88,  95,  162,  164,  167,  448. 


Middlebury,  119,  126, 139,  155  (history), 

170,  442,  458. 
Miles,  Rev.  C.  E.,  139,  148. 
Miles,  Miss  Mary,  593. 
Miles,  Rev.  S.  W.,  264. 
Miller,  Rev.  S.  E.,  378,  416,  145. 
Miller,  Rev.  Manoah  D.,  206,  219,  250, 

318. 
Miller,  Rev.  M.  D.,  125,  154,  139,  148, 

589. 
Miller,  Rev.  Wilham,  102,  124,  147,  368, 

376,  378,  380. 
Millerism,  461. 

Millington,  Rev.  John,  16,  17,    18,    21. 
Mills,  Rev.  Edward,  100,  505,  549. 
Mills,  Rev.  M.  M.,  98,  109. 
Milton,  328,  332,  345,  346,  357. 
Ministerial  Education,  Chapter  XXIII, 

page  521. 
Ministers  Aid  Society,  350. 
Missionary  Conferences,  516,  517. 
Mitchell,    Rev.   E.    F.,    210,    214,    254, 

450,  451,  455,  543. 
Mitchell,  Rev.  R.  B.,  217. 
Mohl,  Rev.  H.  G.,  66. 
Montgomery,   315,   345,  346,   443,  495, 

380  (history). 
Monkton,  125,  139  (history),  154,  155, 

389. 
Montgomery  French  Mission,  419. 
Montpelier,     295    (history),    443,    489, 

497,  508. 
Montague,  Rev.  Elijah,  212. 
Moore,  Rev.  W.  W.,  103,  119,  138,  144. 
Moore,  Rev.  Forrest,  207. 
Moore,  Rev.  J.  W.,  279. 
Morley,  Rev.  T.  C,  307. 
Morris,  Rev.  Frank  R.,  103,  578. 
Morrain,  Rev.  J.,  346,  419. 
Morristown,  315,  345,  349,  375. 
Morrow,  Mrs.  H.,  missionary,  585. 
Morse,  Rev.  Winthrop,  82. 
Morse,  Rev.  B.  S.,  254. 
Morse,  Elizabeth  S.,  missionary,    581. 
Morse,  Rev.    Charles  S.,  missionary  to 

Turkey,  545. 


692 


INDEX 


Morse,  Rev.  B.  F.,  543. 

Morse,  Rev.  Lyman  H.,  197,  280,  295. 

Mosher,  Rev.,  110. 

Mott,  Rev.  E.,  154. 

Mount    Holly,    30,    31,    165,    22f),    264 

(history),  442. 
Mowrey,  Rev.  T.  B.,  97. 
Moxley,  Rev.  S.  D.,  245. 
Mulhern,  Rev.  D.  S.,  206. 
Munroe,  Rev.  J.,  282. 
Murray,  Rev.  O.  S.,  463,  564. 
Murray,  Rev.  A.  H.,  154,  264. 
Murray,  Rev.  O.  E.,  120,  124,  134. 
Murrayism,  461. 
Myrick,  Rev.  William,  138. 

Nailor,  Rev.  J.  E.,  245. 

National  Theological  Institution  as- 
sisted, 533. 

Neal,  Rev.  Thomas,  112. 

Newell,  Rev.  Israel  D.,  318. 

Newfane,  184,  185,  187,  190,  192,  202. 

New  Hampton  Institution,  Fairfax, 
141,  235,  347,  356,  371,  373,  388,  481, 
531,  532,  550  (history). 

New  Hampton  Institution,  teachers  in, 
555. 

New  Hampton  Institution,  ministers 
who  studied  there,  557,  558. 

New  Haven,  132,  150,  155,  170. 

New  Hampshire  Grants,  14,  20. 

New  York  Baptist  Education  Society, 
633. 

Newton  Theological   Institution,   532. 

Newport,  314,  315,  497. 

Nichols,  Rev.  Caleb,  24,  .39,  64. 

Nichols,  Rev.  C.  F.,  278. 

Nichols,  Rev.  C.  R.,  106. 

Nichols,  Rev.  Samuel  W.,  402,  585. 

Nichols,  Rev.  Noah,  543. 

Nicholson,  Rev.  C.  V.,  325,  483. 

Nicker.«on,  Rev.  George  H.,  200. 

Nobbs,  Rev.  James,  206. 

Nobbs,  Rev.  S.  B.,  .325. 

Noble,  Guy  C,  498,  564. 


Noble,  Mrs.  Guy  C,  593. 
Norcross,  Rev.  Austin,  293,  543. 
Norcross,  Rev.  N.,  323. 
Norris,  Rev.  Gregory,  400. 
North  Springfield,  248  (history). 
Northern  Baptist  Convention,  514. 
Northern  Educational  I'nion,  350,  532, 

552. 
Northfield,  307. 
North  Fairfax,  349. 
North  Troy,  315,  323. 
Norton,  315. 
Norwich,  225,  443. 

Nott,  Rev.  R.,  148,  154,  271,  278,  500. 
Nutting,  Rev.  C.  A.,  91. 
Nye,  Rev.  I.  C,  94,  316. 

Ober,  Rev.  George,  254. 
Ogden,  Rev.  T.  F.,  148. 
Olds,  Rev.  R.  L.,  10,  11,  275,  325,  492, 

498,  516. 
Onion  River  Association,  ,345,  346,  .351. 
O'Neal,  Rev.  A.  B.,  114. 
Orange,  443. 
Orc'utt,  licentiate,  203. 
Orcutt,  Rev.  Josiah,  363. 
Orleans  Circuit,  452. 
Orwell,  121,  124,  125,  131,  133. 
Osbum,  Rev.  F.  E.,  364. 
Owen,  Rev.  D.  D.,  275,  416,  500,  517. 
Owen,  Mrs.  D.  D.,  596. 

Packard,  Rev.  S.  E.,  376. 
Packard,  Rev.  Thomas,  215. 
Packer,  Rev.  Joseph,  67,  84,  110,  116. 
Packer,  Rev.  Daniel,  32,  226,  237,  264, 

265,  279,  281,  428,  429,  432,  538. 
Packer,  Rev.  Jeremy,    178,   187,   195, 

196. 
Page,  Rev.  Frederick,  67,  68,   85,    222, 

227,  275. 
Page,    Rev.    George    H.,    390,    495. 
Palatier,  Rev.  B.  A.,  106. 
Palmer,  Rev.  D.  W.,  202,  223,  255,  97. 
Palmer,  Rev.  E.  B.,  103. 


INDEX 


693 


Palmer,  Rev.  William  L.,  9G,  136,  170, 

545. 
Panton,   119,   122,   125,   129,   137   (his- 
tory, 170,  442. 
Park,  Deacon,  B.  A.,  309. 
Parker,  Rev.  Addison,  237,  264. 
Parker,  Rev.  Alvin,  200. 
Parker,  Rev.  Charles,  280. 
Parker,  Rev.  George  H.,  276,  323,  381, 

409,  411,  138. 
Parker,  Rev.  I.  H.  D.,  2.37,  281,  401, 

405,  551,  552,  590. 
Parker,  Rev.  Hervey,  138. 
Parker,  Rev.  James,  289,  291. 
Parker,  Rev.  Joseph,  426,  598. 
Parker,  Rev.  J.  W.,  D.  D.,  237,  264. 
Parker,  Rev.  L.  B.,  373. 
Parker,  Rev.  Samuel,  295. 
Parmlee,  Rev.  J.  H.,  206,  214,  223,  298, 

487. 
Parmlee,  Rev.  Wheelock,  D.  D.,  300. 
Parr,  Rev.  S.  S.,  390. 
Parry,  Rev.  H.  H.,  97. 
Parry,  Rev.  F.  J.,  208,  405. 
Parsons,  Rev.  James,  186,  194,  197. 
Partridgeville  church  trouble,  40,  46. 
Parsons,  Rev.  N.  D.,  210. 
Passumpsic,  314,  321,  425. 
Patterson,  Rev.  Robert  E.,  5.34. 
Patterson,  Mrs.  Juliette,  583,  598. 
Patterson,  Rev.  W.  S.,  280. 
Pattison,  Rev.  William,  97. 
Pittstown,  40,  41. 
Pawlet,  79,  88,  109. 
Pawlet,  West,  44. 
Pay,  Rev.  G.  F.,  310. 
Peabody,  Rev.  Charles,  267. 
Peabody,  Rev.  H.  H.,  483. 
Peabody,  Sehm,  A.  B.,  532. 
Peacock,    Rev.    Evangelist,    206,    254, 

412. 
Peak,  Rev.  John,  242,  243,  244,  247. 
Pearson,  Rev.  Ira,  237,  246,  274. 
Pearson,  Rev.  John,  84,  116,  134,  247, 

262. 


Peck,  Rev.  S.  L.,  65. 

Peck,  Rev.  Abijah,  42. 

Peck,  Rev.  Ithiel,  91. 

Peck,  Rev.  J.  J.,  88. 

Peck,  Rev.  O.  W.,  311. 

Penny,  Rev.  F.  Dee,  405. 

Peckins,  Rev.  J.,  242. 

Penny,  Rev.  R.  C,  112. 

Perkins,  Rev.  Barnabas  55,  56,  57,  58, 

285,  318. 
Perkins,  Rev.  E.  R.,  210,  311,  325. 
Perkinsville,  227,  232,  276  (history). 
Permanent  Fund  of    Convention,   503, 

513. 
Perry,  Rev.  Philander,  64. 
Perry,  Rev.  S.   P.,   68,   112,   145,   384, 

567,  576. 
Pierson,  Rev.  I.,  479,  487. 
Peru,  268. 

Phillips,  Rev.  E.  D.,  109. 
Phelps,  Rev.  Elnathan,  89,  131,  133. 
Phelps,  Rev.  Lemuel,  146,  155. 
Phelps,  Rev.  N.  D.,  214. 
Philadelphia  Association,  39. 
Picknell,  Rev.  J.  W.,  251. 
Picknell,   Rev.    W.   L.,   219,   390,   479, 

480. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Benjamin,  264,  272. 
Pierce,  Rev.  N.,  278. 
Pierce,  Rev.  J.  A.,  96,  97,  258,  299,  376. 
Pierce,  Rev.  L.  E.,  223. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Sem.,  194,  200,  203,  270, 

271,  269. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Samuel,  226. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Stephen,  264. 
Pierce,  Rev.  Nehemiah,  367. 
Pillsbury,  Rev.  S.,  265. 
Pillsbury,  Col.  Silas  A.,  157. 
Pillsbury,     Rev.     Phineas,     missionary 

journey,  56. 
Pingry,  William  M.,  450,  574,  546,  549. 
Pinkham,  Rev.  N.  J.,  145. 
Pittsfield,  44,  76,  114,  443. 
Pittsford,  105  (history),  167. 
Plainfield,  225,  226,286,  301,  442. 


694 


INDEX 


Plymouth,  114. 

Pollard,  Rev.  Samuel,  281. 

Pomfrey,  Rev.  George,   136,  2C4,  276. 

Pomfret,  225,  314. 

Pondville,  190,  192,  202. 

Pooler,  Rev.  Allen,  98. 

Post,  Rev.  D.  E.,  90,  91,  106. 

Potter,  Rev.  A.  B.,  ordained,  156. 

Poultney,  44,  75,  76,  87,  94,    107,    141, 

332. 
Poultney,  East,  44,  166. 
Pratt,  Rev.  G.  S.,  388,  414. 
Pratt,  Rev.  Cahnn,  203. 
Preble,  Rev.  F.  W.,  245. 
Prentice,  Rev.  R.  M.,  217. 
Prentice,    Rev.    Roswell   R.,   446,   451, 

534. 
Probert,  Rev.  Herbert,  83. 
Proctor,  Rev.  Hadley,  99,  446,  451,  502, 

520,  526,  530,  538,  560. 
Powell,  Miss  Clara,  364. 
Powell,  Rev.  G.  L.,  148. 
Powell,  Rev.  N.  F.,  197. 
Powell,   Rev.    Prosper,    319,    320,    380, 

383,  451. 
Powers,  Rev.  C.  R.,  202. 
Powers,  Rev.  Lemuel,  35,  36. 
Potter,  Rev.  E.  W.,  245. 
Pownal,    13,  14,  15,  23,  24,  35,  44,  64 

(history),  65. 
Puffer,  Rev.  E.  W.,  323. 
Purinton,  Elder,  211. 
Putnam,  Daniel  A.  B.,  523. 
Putnam,  Rev.  A.  B.,  274. 
Putney,    13,    84,    185,    187,    201,    209 

(history),  434,  441. 

Queensbury,  163. 

Ramsay,  Rev.  W.,  307. 

Randall,  Rev.  Benjamin,  605,  606,  607. 

Randall,    Deacon   Joseph,    25,    26,    27, 

29,  67,  69,  329. 
Randall,  Rev.  W.  H.,  10,  268. 
Randolph,  285,  292,  293. 


Randolph  and  Betliel,  306. 

Randolph,  West,  498,  497. 

Ransom,  Rev.  Ehsha,  179,  242,  225. 

Rankin,  Rev.  H.  B.,  325. 

Ranney,  Rev.  D.  H.,  273. 

Ranstead,  Louis,  licensed,  250. 

Rathbun,  Rev.  Da\ad,  127,  248. 

Rattrey,  Rev.  B.  F.,  376. 

Ravlin,   Rev.   Thomas,    140,    152,   368, 

378,  391. 
Raymond,  Rev.  G.  F.,  290. 
Read.  Rev.  E.  A.,  214,  322. 
Reading,  225,  227,  237,  244,  247  (his- 
tory). 
Readsboro,  187,  214,  188. 
Reekie,  Rev.  C.  T.,  148. 
Reese,  Rev.  Cliarles  A.,  101. 
Renfrew,  Deacon  Jefferson,  295. 
Reynolds,  Rev.  Linus  J.,  88,  110,  151. 
Reynolds,  Rev.  P.  W.,  79,  82,  93. 
RejTiolds,  Rev.  Werden  P.,  150. 
Rice,  Rev.  Luther,  74,  186,  234,  350. 
Rice,  Rev.  Micha,  177. 
Rice,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  180. 
Rice,  Rev.  SedgAvick,  67. 
Rice,  Rev.  W.  T.,  271. 
Rich,  Rev.  Elisha,  25,  27,  30,  89,  105, 
114. 

Rich,  Rev.  Joseph,  142. 

Rich,  Rev.  J.  A..  202. 

Richards,  Rev.  Paul,  348,  358. 

Richardson,  Rev.  C.  H.,  276. 

Richardson,  Rev.  D.,  262. 

Richardson,  Rev.  O.,  109. 

Richardson,  Rev.  J.  K.,  86,  490. 

Richford,  344,  347,  382,  420,  480,  495, 
497. 

Richmond,  343,  351. 

Richmond  Conference,  343,  344,  363. 

Ricker,  A.  H.,  295. 

Robbins,  Rev.  H.  C,  378,  280,  310. 

Robbins,  Rev.  J.  H.,  247,  250,  268. 

Robbins,  Rev.  H.  E.,  289. 

Roberts,  Rev.  A.  H.,  296. 

Roberts,  Rev.  W.  S.,  405,  501,  517. 


INDEX 


69^ 


Robinson,  Rev.  George,  203,  206,  213, 
216,  64. 

Robinson,  Samuel,  Esq.,  14. 

Robinson,  Rev.  Otis,  294. 

Robinson,  Mary  R.,  276. 

Robson,  Rev.  G.,  299. 

Rochester,  442,  443. 

Rockwell,  380,  388,  409. 

Rockingham,   183,  221,  225,  226,   166. 

Rockwood,  Rev.  M.,  99. 

Rockwood,  Rev.  J.  M.,  531. 

Rogers,  Rev.  John,  148. 

Rogers,  Rev.  Samuel,  18,  41,  152. 

Rogers,  Rev.  Thomas  S.,  65. 

Rogers,  Rev.  H.  A.,  296. 

Rogers,  Rev.  William,  328,  383,  408. 

RoUes,  Charles,  licensed,  267. 

Rood,  Rev.  E.  C,  212,  214. 

Root,  Rev.  Isaac,  339. 

Root,  Rev.  P.  D.,  251,  252. 

Root,  Rev.  Peter  Philanthropos,  mis- 
sionary journey,  35. 

Ross,  Rev.  C.  E.,  97. 

Rossier,  Rev.  J.,  403,  424. 

Rowley,  Rev.  Samuel,  74,  523,  587. 

Roxbury,  285,  302  (history)  307. 

Royal,  Rev.  E.  A.,  217. 

Royalton,  179,  225,  291,  292,  306. 

Rugg,  Rev.  C.  P.,  219. 

Rugg,  Rev.  C.  J.,  282. 

Rugg,  Rev.  Martin,  255,  592. 

Rugg,  Rev.  William,  277. 

Rugg,  Rev.  W.  H.,  64.  563,  573. 

Rupert,  150  (history),  151,  163,   79. 

Rush,  Mrs.  H.,  594. 

Russell,  Rev.  E.  B.,  258,  282. 

Russell,  Rev.  John,  260. 

Rutland,  40,  76,  98  (history)  102,  113, 
168,  487,  441,  443. 

Rutland  Quarterly  Meeting,  Free  Bap- 
tists, 618. 

Rutland,  West,  44,  101,  106,  113  (his- 
tory). 

Ryder,  Rev.  H.,  412. 

Ryder,  Rev.  Frank  W..  404. 


Ryder,  Rev.  S.  B.,  323,  325,  543. 
Ryder,  Rev.  A.  H.,  295. 

Sabin,   Rev.   Alvah,   9,   333,    334,   335, 

346,    349,    358,    360,    372,    365,    366, 

367,    400,    428,    429,   441,    446,    450, 

463,  479,  487,  560,  526,  555. 
Sabin,  Rev.  Daniel..  346,  348,  358,  364, 

387. 
Safford,  Rev.  Hiram,  401,  405,  458. 
Saflford,  Mrs.  J.  B.,  593. 
SafFord,    Rev.    Charles    W.,    140,    258, 

282,  389,  390. 
Saflford,  Frederick  G.,  509. 
Safford,  Rev.  DeForrest,  200,  356,  367, 

373,  379,  421. 
SaUsbury,  23. 
Saltash,  114. 
Salaries,  211,  219,  128,  1.30,  268,  269, 

272,  353,  378,  513. 
Sanford,  Rev.  Lewis  W.,  322. 
Sanford,  Rev.  E.  T.,  324. 
Sanford,  Rev.  OUver,  428. 
Sanborn,  Rev.  Ebenezer,  304. 
Sandgate,  117. 
Sanders,  Rev.  John,  254. 
Sargeant,  Rev.  O.  C,  85. 
Saratoga  Association,  44. 
Saunders,  Rev.  N.  C,  318,  325,  376. 
Sawyer,  Rev.  Conant,  90. 
Sawyer,   Rev.  Ephraim,   89,    112,    127, 
,  129,  (sketch)  134,  135,  136,  140,  146, 

142,  152,  349,  350,  369. 
Sawyer,  Rev.  Isaac,  74,  90,  91,  119,  138, 

139,  142,  154,  149,  155,  293,  344,  349 

369,  389,  427,  428,  433,  434,  441,  581. 
Sawyer,   Rev.  Jo.seph   W.,   63,   74,   91, 

135,  369,  370,  428,  431,  433,  434. 
Sawyer,  Rev.  Reuben,  90,  98,  138,  246, 

390,  479. 
Sawin,  Rev.  A.  A.,  145. 
Saxtons  River,  206,  496. 
Schofield,  Rev.  W.  G.,  347,  407,  409, 

411. 
Scott,  Rev.  Ernest  L.,  247. 


696 


INDEX 


Scott,  Rev.  Payson,  581. 

Schurke,  Rev.  B.  A.,  86. 

Seaman,  Rev.  Job.,  233,  237. 

Searles,  Rev.  Henry-  Clay,  258,  276,  282. 

Seaver,  Miss  H.  K.,  538. 

Seeley,  Rev.  Joab,  451. 

Sestoumeau,  Rev.,  422. 

Shaftsbury  Association,  7,  9,  10,  24,  35, 

36,  44,  72,  73,  75,  76,  107,  68,  151, 

229,  230,  232,  429. 
Shaftsbury    churches,    14,    15,    18,    20, 

21,  22,  35,  39,  44,  61,  62,  63,  64,  102. 

161  sq.,  165. 
Sharon,  295,  289. 
Sheldon,  389. 

Shepardson,  Deacon  F.  W.,  329. 
Shepardson,  Rev.  L.  F.,  202,  223,  322, 

384, 
Shepherd,  Rev.  George,  108. 
Sherman,  Deacon  A.  F.,  564. 
Sherman,  Rev.  C.  S.,  197,  258. 
Sherman,  Rev.  S.  C,  223. 
Sherwin,  Rev.  A.,  207. 
Sherwin,  Rev.  I.,  275. 
Sherwin,  Rev.  Joseph  H.,  67. 
Sherwin,  Rev.  Luke.  270,  271,  277,  283. 
Shirk.  Rev.  G.  C,  149. 
Shoreham,  120,  132,  140,  155,  170. 
Shumway,  Rev.  Elijah,  206.  254. 
Sikes,  Rev.  Samuel,  426. 
Simons,  Rev.  A.  H.,  66. 
Skeels,   Rev.   Thomas,  71,  83.  84,   92, 

110. 
Skinner,  Rev.  J.  D..  214,  322. 
Skinner,  Rev.  J.  P..  538. 
Slafter,  Rev.  Corodon  H.,  584. 
Slocum,  Rev.  H.  T.,  138,  153. 
Small,  Rev.  J.  S.,  380,  386,  493. 
Small,  Rev.  Joseph,  276,  289. 
Small,  Rev.  S.,  145. 
Smith,  Rev.  A.  A.,  214. 
Smith,  Rev.  Brown  E.,  299. 
Smith,  Rev.  Caleb,  202. 
Smith,  Rev.  C.  B..  90,  200,  213,  214, 

252.  542. 


Smith,  Rev.  Dexter  P.,  82. 
Smith,  Rev.  Edmund  H..  194,  197. 
Smith,  Rev.  Edmund,  52,  125. 
Smith,  Rev.  EU  B.,  96,  139,  140,  141, 

347.    359,    373,    447,   479,    530,    534, 

553,  555,  560. 
Smith,  Rev.  Francis,  100. 
Smith,  Rev.  Gaylord,  404. 
Smith,  Rev.  G.  A.,  145,  381,  414. 
Smith.  Rev.  .Jesse,  149,  344,  363. 
Smith,  Rev.  J.  M.,  88. 
Smith,  Rev.  Justin  A.,  107. 
Smith,  Rev.  Lyman,  154. 
Smith,  Rev.  Levi,  106,  321. 
Smith,  Rev.  M.  D.,  213. 
Smith,  Rev.  M.  G.,  363,  411,  413,  482, 

486,  487,  488. 
Smith,  Rev.  321. 
Smith,  Rev.  N.  VV..  302,  304. 
Smith,  Rev.  Origen,  203,  214. 
Smith,  Rev.  R.  L.,  149. 
Smith,    Rev.    Roswell,    241,    242,    244, 

289,  344. 
Smith,  Rev.  Rufus,  200,  206,  271,  281, 

296,  359,  379,  479,  480. 
Smith,  Rev.  Samuel,  233,  314,  .341,  481. 
Smith,  Rev.  G.  B.,  64. 
Smith,  Rev.  S.  F.,  68. 
Smith,  Rev.  W.  J.,  289. 
Snow,  Rev.  Simeon,  194,  195,  190. 
Somerset,  204. 

SouUard,  Rev.  E.  S.,  88,  110. 
Souter,  Rev.  T.  C,  295. 
Sparks,  Rev.  Thomas,  197. 
Spaulding,  Rev.  Timothy,  352,  379,  429, 

433,  434,  442. 
Spaulding,  Rev.  A.  D..  202. 
Spaulding,    Rev.    John,    74,    134.    140, 

294,  371,  375,  380,  389,  400. 
Spencer,    Rev.    Dwight,    85.    100,    112, 

289,  563,  592. 
Spencer,  Rev.  William,  214,  215. 
Sperry,  Rev.  W.,  263. 
Springfield,  226.  276.  183. 
St.   Albans,   347,   349.   412,   480,   486. 

489,  496. 


INDEX 


697 


St.  Armand,  344,  442. 

Standbridge,  341,  443. 

St.  Dalmas.  Rev.  A.  E.,  315. 

St.  Johnsbury,  316,  319,  325  (history). 

Stair,  Rev.  George  R.,  156,  157. 

Stamford,  214. 

Starks,  Rev.  Dyer,  64,  92. 

Stackhouse  Campaign,  517. 

Stackpole,  Rev.  S.  H.,  268. 

Stannard,  Rev.  Lemuel,  580. 

Stamiard,  Amanda  W.,  580. 

State  Convention,  102,  108,  137,  155, 
11.3,  114,  157,  215,  177,  182,  286, 
349,  427. 

Starkweather,  Rev.  Elisha,  74,  91,'  148. 
152,  154,263. 

Starkweather,  Rev.  Thomas,  272. 

Stearns,  Rev.  A.  W.,  202,  206. 

Steams,  Rev.  Amos,  ordained,  144. 

Steams,  Rev.  C.  E.,  97. 

Stearns,  Louise,  276. 

Steams,  Rev.  H.  M.,  379. 

Steams,  Rev.  John,  98,  130,  139,  149. 

Steams,  Rev.  M.  X.,  346. 

Stebbins,  Rev.  David,  407. 

Steele,  Rev.  L.  B.,  64,  106,  109,  289. 
310,  347,  376,  412. 

Sterling,  349,  351,  443. 

Stewart,  Rev.  W.  H.,  277. 

Stickney,  Hon.  W.  W.,  10,  498. 

Stillwater,  26. 

Strafford  Quarterly  Meeting  Free  Bap- 
tist, 609,  612. 

Strafford,  309,  605. 

Stratton,  Rev.  \V.  N.,  223. 

Stratton,  Rev.  F.  R.,  325. 

Stratton,  163. 
.Streeter,  Miss  Nellie,  255. 

Streeter,  Rev.  H.  B.,  201. 

Strong,  Rev.,  P.  B.,  145. 
Stockbridge,  226,  272,  306. 
Stockwell,  Rev.  G.  S.,  82,  90,  281. 
Stoddard,  Rev.  Ira,  196. 
Stone,  Rev.  Albert,  375,  376,  380,   383, 
409. 


Stone,  Rev.  Isaiah,  219,  232. 

Storers,  Rev.,  140. 

Stonington  Association,  39. 

Stover,  Rev.  C.  E.,  244. 

St  owe.  Rev.  Baron,  235,  524. 

Stowell,  Rev.  A.  H.,  390. 

Sturdevant,  323,  416. 

Sabbath  School  Convention,  563. 

Sunday  School  Work,  559  sq. 

Sunday  School  Convention,  Inter-de- 
nominational, 565. 

Sunday  School  Statistics,  568. 

Sunl)ury,  Rev.  W.  C,  200. 

Sutton,  220.  225,  344,  315. 

Sunderland,  117. 

Swan,  Rev.  A.  M.,  82,  483. 

Swan,  Rev.  J.  C,  208. 

Swaim,  Evangelist,  282. 

Swart,  Rev.  J.  A.,  202,  203,  254,  98,  111. 

Swedish  Mission,  506. 

Swanton,  345,  362,  346,  422. 

Swanton,  East,  363. 

Sweet,  Rev.  David,  226,  244,  254,  269, 
271. 

Sweet,  Rev.  E.  H.,  245. 

Sweet,  Elder,  434. 

Sykes,  Rev.  S.  D.,  68. 

Systematic  Beneficence,  500. 

Tandy,  Rev.  L..  212. 

Taylor,  Ella  J.,  missionary,  586. 

Taylor,  Rev.  E.  O.,  156. 

Taylor,  Rev.  J.  R.,  106. 

Taylor,  Rev.  F.,  293. 

Taylor,  Rev.  O.  J.,  200,  265. 

Taylor,  Rev.  S.  H.,  206. 

Taylor,  Rev.  Sereno,  266. 

Teachers  of  Brandon  Academy,  538. 

Teasdale,  Rev.  Thomas,  112. 

Tellier,  Rev.  Thomas,  97,  276,  295,  347, 

366,  367. 
Temperance,  47,  103,  111,  146,  440. 
Temple,  Rev.  L.  D.,  208,  500. 
Tenbroek,  Rev.  J.,  119,  125,  138,   1.54, 

534. 
Thayer,  Rev.  II.  E.,  275,  319,  518. 


698 


INDEX 


Thetford  and  Fairlee,  286,  311. 

Thetford  (history),  310,  225. 

Thomas,  Rev.  C.  A.,  8,  9,  90,  108,  563. 

Thomas,  Rev.  J.  R.,  361. 

Thomas,  Rev.  O.  D.,  evangeHst,  101. 

Thoms,  J.  A.,  258. 

Thompson,  Deacon  Joseph,  231. 

Thompson,  Rev.  J.  H.,  275. 

Thompson,  Rev.  S.  B.,  279. 

Therrein,  403,  422,  426. 

Thorne,  Rev.  WiUiam,  219. 

Tibbals,  Rev.  R.  H.,  271,  282. 

Tilden,  Rev.  H.  B.,  247. 

TilUnghast,  Rev.  Wilhara,  213. 

Tilson,  Rev.  J.,  208,  299,  293,  300,  101. 

Tilton,  Rev.  A.  B.,  541. 

Tinkham,  Rev.  Daniel,  62,  115. 

Tinmouth,  87. 

Tobin,  Rev.  Thomas,  88,  96. 

Toby,  Rev.  Alvin,  212. 

Tolman,  Rev.  Frank  S.,  114,  325,  567. 

Topsham,  285,  304  (history). 

Tootliaker,  Charles  E.,  licensed,  250. 

Tower,  Rev.  F.  E.,  208. 

Towns,  Rev.  E.  D.,  153. 

Townshend,  Rev.  D.  C,  254. 

Townshend,  166,  183,  193,  194,  205, 
206,  216  (history),  225,  226. 

Townshend,  Rev.  J.  J.,  91,  247,  500. 

Tozer,  Rev.  R.  B.,  108,  280. 

Tract  Society,  Baptist  General,  188. 

Tracy,  Rev.  Leonard,  293,  402,  405. 

Tracy,  Rev.  Milo,  219. 

Travers,  Rev.  Harvey  R.,  107. 

Treasurer's  Report,  First  of  the  Con- 
vention, 434. 

Triennial  Convention,  174,  457,  464. 

Tripp,  Rev.  John,  missionary  journey, 
55. 

Troy,  314,  315,  323. 

Troy,  North,  495. 

Troy  and  Potton,  315. 

Tuck,  Rev.  B.  F.,  219. 

Tucker,  Rev.  Cyrus,  293. 

Tucker,  Rev.  Eber,  65. 


Tucker,  Rev.  J.  N.,  64. 

Tucker,  Rev.  J.,  107. 

Turner,  Rev.  C.  W.,  91. 

Turner,  Rev.  Charles  B.,  293. 

Tupper,  Rev.  Miles  G.,  202,  203. 

Tunbridge,  291. 

Tuttle,  Rev.  Amos,  314,  338,  340,  344, 

353,  354. 
Tuttle,  Rev.  Thomas,  Jr.,  90. 
Twiss,  Rev.  F.  C,  265. 
Tyler,  Rev.  Payson,  325,  393. 

Ufford,   Rev.    A.    F.,    missionary,   357, 

588. 
Upham,  Rev.  James,  D.  D..  347,  483, 

532,  534,  552,  555. 
Upham,  Rev.  W.  D.,  216. 
Upham,  Rev.  William,  273. 
Upton,  Rev.  C.  R.,  254. 
Usher,  Rev.  I.  E.,  97. 
Union  Village,  211. 

Van  Schaick,  Rev.  C.  E.,  66,  219,    350. 

Vail,  Rev.  A.  L.,  43. 

Vermont  Association,  31,  39,  68,  71-79, 
81,  108.  116,  151,  154,  185,  234. 

Vermont  Academy,  129,  235,  485,  556. 

Vermont  Anti-slavery  Society,  120. 

\'ermont  Association  Education  Society, 
523. 

Vermont  Baptist  Bible  Society,  569. 

Vermont  Branch  of  the  Northern  Bap- 
tist Education  Society  merged  into 
the  Convention,  530. 

Vermont  Baptist  Historical  Soc  iety 
500,  573. 

Vermont  Observer,  132. 

Vermont  Telegraph,  77,  447,  449,  463. 

\'ermont  Baptists,  Presidents  of  Col- 
leges, 534. 

Vermont  Baptists,  Professors  in  Col- 
leges, 534. 

Vermont  Sunday  School  Union,  447. 

Vergennes,  129,  139,  170,  489. 

Vernon,  13,  14. 


INDEX 


699 


Verry,  Rev.  R.  L.,  149. 

Vershire,  310. 

Vinton,   Rev.   Sumner  R.,   missionary, 

585. 
Vinal,  Rev.  H.  S.,  114. 
Vincent,  Rev,  Joshua,  ordained,  221. 
Votey,  Rev.  C.  A.,  64,  154,  219,  356. 

Wadsworth,  Rev.  A.  L.,  325. 

Waitsfield,  345,  357. 

Wait,  Rev.  Archibald,  110,  150,  390. 

Wakefield,  Rev.  Samuel,  179,  318. 

Walden,  Rev.  John,  401,  405. 

Walden,  339. 

Waldo,  Gamaiel,  87. 

Waldron,  Rev.  Isaac,  545. 

Walker,  Rev.  A.  J.,  202,  223,  258,  323. 

Walker,  Gideon,  131. 

Walker,  Rev.  W.  H.,  109,  113. 

Walker,  Rev.  W.  S.,  206. 

Wallingford,  24-32,  36,  44,  76,  67  (his- 
tory) 79,  163,  249,  264. 

Wallingford,  East,  265,  279  (history). 

Waltze,  Rev.  O.  F.,  83. 

Ward,  William,  pioneer,  94,  95. 

Wardsboro,  163,  184,  190,  205,  121,  117, 
119  (history)  225. 

Ware,  Rev.  J.  Q.  U.  A.,  148,  149. 

Ware,  Rev.  Moses,  91,  344,  408. 

Warner,  Rev.  W.  R.,  85,  86. 

Warren,  285,  306. 

Warren,  Rev.  Obed,  72,  180,  194,  212. 

Warren,  Rev.  S.  P.,  138,  150. 

Warren,  Elder,  of  Salem,  150. 

Washington,  225,  308. 

Washington  Temperance  Society,  348. 

Washington  Association,  79. 

Waters,  Rev.  W.  W.,  112,  150. 

Waterville  College,  584. 

Waterford,  314,  319. 

Waterbury,  328,  331,  344,  346,  351, 
391. 

Watson,  Rev.  D.  R.,  83,  91. 

Watts,  Rev.  A.  M.,  376. 

Watt,  Rev.  George,  colporteur,  586, 
107,  113,  300,  511,  512. 


Weathersfield,  225,  244. 

Webster,  Rev.  George,  324. 

Webster,  Rev.  G.  D.,  296. 

Webster,  Rev.  J.  B.,  97,  108. 

Webster,  Rev.  T.  B.,  97. 

Webster,  Rev.,  133. 

Webb,  Rev.  Isaac,  42,  89,  90. 

Webber,  Rev.  J.  L.,  356. 

Wells,  87. 

Wells,  Rev.  Asahel,  194,  200,  209. 

Wellman,    Rev.    Isaac,    180,    194,    199, 

209. 
Werden,  Rev.  Peter,  40. 
Wescott,  Rev.  Isaac,  J49. 
Wescott,  Rev.  J.,  125;, 
West,  Rev.  Thorn? s    SOD. 
Westminster,  ]':  J,  226. 

Western  Baptisv   Education  Society. — 

Contribution  to,  528. 
Westford,  328,  344,  345,  346,  347,  349, 

351,352,  364  (history). 
West  Haven,  44,  76,  97. 
Weston,  226,  269,  280  (history). 
Weybridge,  150. 

Wlieeler,  Rev.  George  B.,  264,  293,  325. 
Wheeler,  Rev.  L.  W.,  271. 
Wheeler,  Rev.  Russell,  254,  271. 
Wheeler,  Rev.  Philip,  295,  297,  301. 
Wheelock,  Rev.  L.,  148. 
Wheelock     Quarterly     Meeting,     Free 

Baptist,  606,  613,  620. 
White,  Rev.  D.  M.,  492. 
White,  Rev.  Elbridge  W^,  255,  592. 
White,  Rev.  H.  H.,  148,  149. 
White,  Rev.  S.  S.,  189,  201,  202,  206, 

265,  310. 
Whiting,  119,  120,  127,  129,  131,  133, 

148  (history). 
Whiting,  Rev.  S.  A.,  378. 
Whiting,  Rev.  S.  M.,  245,  586. 
Whitingham,  187, 190, 193, 210  (history), 

214. 
Whipple,  Rev.  M.,  177. 
Whipple  Hollow,  106. 
Whitman,  Rev.  Seth,  534. 
Whitman,  Sally,  371. 


700 


/ 


INDEX 


Whittier,   E.   A.,   Evangelist,    101,  Hi, 

276,  396. 
Whittle,  Evangelist,  101. 
Wilcox,  Rev.  A.  J.,  325. 
Wilbur,  Rev.  W.  N.,  267,  325,  491,  549. 
Wilcox,  Rev.  Bela,  186,  194,  267,  526. 
AVilcox,  Rev.  Horace,  272. 
Wilcox,  Rev.  Joseph,  372. 
Wilcox,  Rev.  M.  A.,  546,  549. 
Wilcox,  Rev.  Monson.  402,  405,  563. 
Wiley,  Rev.  Elijah,  233. 
Wilkins,  Rev.  G.  A.,  64,  364. 
Williston,  445,  448. 
Willard,  Rev.  Era^tus,  54,  21(i,  254,  255, 

266,  581. 
Willey,  Rev.  Arisb.  54 1..  148. 
Willard,  Rev.  S.,  28V,.q,  (i. 
Willard,  Bvinyan.  evangeli.st,  308. 
Williams,  Rev.  J.  J.,  325. 
Williams,  Rev.  G.  A.,  Ill,  876. 
Williams,  Rev.  Nathaniel,  433. 
^Villiams,  Rev.  Rufus,  ordained,  180. 
Williams,  Rev.  Richard,  178. 
Williams,  Elder,  210. 
Williamstown,  308. 
Williams  ville,  189. 
Williams,  Rev.  Gibbon,  67. 
Williams,  Rev.  M.  W.,  244. 
Willis,  Rev.  Samuel,  103. 
Willis,  Rev.  Beriah,  ordained,  179. 
Wilmington,    180,    187,    190,    192,    212 

(history),  213,  163,  165. 
Wilmarth,  Rev.  J.  M.,  202,  254. 
Willoughby,  Rev.  Bliss,  16,  17. 
Wilmarth,  Rev.  Ezra,  343,  369. 
Wilson,  Rev.  R.  A.,  247. 
Wilson,  Rev.  C.  J.,  97,  202. 
Wilson,  Rev.  Jonathan,  194,  196,  209. 
Windham    Association    Sunday    School 

Convention,  188. 
Windliam,  190,  193,  200,  217  (history), 

223,  225,  227. 


Winegar,  Elder,  400,  448. 

Winhall,  79,  163,  217,  225,  443.  ' 

Winestock,  Rev.  O.  C,  277. 

Windham   Association,    182,    185,    187, 

207,  227. 
Windsor,  225,  226,  227,  234,  237,  341 

(history),  269,  182. 
Winthrop,  Governor,  14. 
Witherell,  Rev.  George,- 194,  209,  210, 

52,  111. 
Winter.  Rev.  E.  T.,  263. 
Wood,  Rev.  Asahel,  194,  209. 
Wood,  Rev.  I.  H.,  106,  206,  282. 
Wood,  Rev.  L.  L.,  412. 
Wood,  Rev.  A.  N.,  416. 
Wood,  Rev.  Norman,  D.  D.,  534. 
Wood,  Rev.  N.  N.,  licensed,  250,  538. 
Wood,  Rev.  N.  W.,  271. 
Wood,  Miss  Phoebe,  112. 
Woods,  Rev.  Abel,  74,  91,  92,  138,  140, 

141,  147,  148,  152,  155,  428,  429,  430 

433. 
Woodstock,  225,  241,  332. 
Woodstock  Association,  207,  225,  227, 

sentiments,  241,  228,  plan,  272,  308. 
Woodward,  Rev.  Nehemiah,  231,  531. 
Woodward,  Rev.  Abram,  110. 
Woodiuff,  Rev.  A.   N.,   113,  201.  254, 

293,  294,  323.  324,  268,  379,  394. 
Wooster,  Rev.  Priest,  371. 
Woolcott,  Rev.  N.  W.,  368. 
Woman's  Missionary  Work,  593,  sq. 
Wolcott,  Rev.  N.  M.,  379. 
Worthington,  Rev.  W.,  294. 
World's  BaptistCongress,  517. 

Young,  Annie  S.,  585. 
Young,  Miss  Grace,  518. 
Young,  Rev.  Joshua,  91. 


COLUMBIA   UNIVERSITY   LIBRARIES 

This  book  is  due  on  the  date  indicated  belo-"  r- 

'^f  -  definitP  '  '•'' 


COLUMBIA  UNIVERSITY 


0035520876 


^v-.8,i5 


C872 


BRimE  DO  NOT 
PHOTOCOPY    ^ 


